The Oscar Colás era in Chicago has officially come to an end. The man once hailed as the “Cuban Ohtani” upon his signing was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Wednesday after three underwhelming seasons in the organization.
Utility man Greg Jones was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies in a corresponding move.
A Disappointing Tenure Comes To a Close
For Colás, the writing was on the wall. He failed to make the Opening Day roster after receiving just 18 plate appearances in Spring Training. While the White Sox experimented with him at first base to add versatility, it wasn’t enough to secure his spot.
The White Sox front office had made it clear in recent years that they weren’t high on the 26-year-old. Despite the team’s abysmal 121-loss season, Colás was given just 33 at-bats in 2024 before being sent back to Triple-A in June. He finished the minor league season slashing .246/.332/.401 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs, drawing 51 walks but striking out 107 times.
Colás debuted in 2023 but struggled, slashing .216/.257/.314 with five home runs and 19 RBIs before being demoted just six days before his 25th birthday. Then-manager Pedro Grifol cited “recurring mistakes,” while general manager Chris Getz was even harsher, saying Colás needed to “completely clean up his whole game.”
In 301 MLB plate appearances, Colás has slashed .223/.271/.309 with a strikeout rate nearing 27 percent. Defensively, his struggles were just as evident—he led all American League right fielders with six errors in just 69 games in 2023.
White Sox Add Jones To 40-man Roster
Jones has appeared in just six MLB games. However, he made the most of his six plate appearances, connecting for a home run for his first and only MLB hit. The 27-year-old spent the bulk of last season with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, slashing .269/.346/.460 with 16 homers, 42 RBIs and 46 stolen bases.
Jones has some versatility with the ability to play all three outfield positions and the middle infield. Last season he appeared in 62 games in center field, 14 at shortstop and eight at second base for Triple-A Albuquerque before spending five games in right field for the Rockies.
The former 22nd overall pick was drafted by the Rays in 2019 out of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In five minor league seasons he owns a career .266/.347/.442 slash line with 49 homers, and 182 RBIs.
