Much like the team as a whole, the White Sox bullpen has been atrocious all season. There is no sugarcoating it. Chicago's relief corps collectively ranks second to last in all of MLB in ERA (4.88) and WHIP (1.53) per covers.com. They also have an MLB leading 54 blown lead losses this season. There is not a single member of the current bullpen that was on the Opening Day roster, and the team has spent all season swapping guys in and out trying to find a group that can provide stability after the starter leaves the game. Their constant roster shuffling is finally starting to work. The current bullpen is the best it has looked all season and provides a glimpse of hope heading into 2025.
Prelander Berroa
Prelander Berroa finally got his chance in Chicago after spending much of the season in AAA and is making the most of it. Acquired in last offseason's Gregory Santos trade, the 24-year-old flame-throwing right-hander already has 16 strikeouts in just 9.1 innings along with a respectable 3.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Primarily a two-pitch pitcher, Berroa's slider averages 31.7 inches of drop, while his four-seam fastball averages 97.8 MPH, ranking in the 96th percentile per Baseball Savant. Walks and command have always been Berroa's kryptonite, but he has been able to throw strikes in Chicago so far. His stuff is electric and he could be an option for high-leverage relief innings moving forward if his command stays where it is right now.
Fraser Ellard
Fraser Ellard has emerged as one of the White Sox most dependable relievers. The 26-year-old left-hander was drafted in the eighth round by the White Sox in 2021 and made his MLB debut earlier this year. The results have been good. He has a 2.93 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in just 15.1 MLB innings. A three-pitch pitcher using a four-seam fastball, slider, and cutter, Ellard has generated a lot of whiffs and weak contact in his MLB stint. He is one of the few players on the White Sox roster who has exceeded expectations this season. His performance down the stretch should give him a leg up on a bullpen spot for 2025, especially since he throws from the left side.
Gus Varland
Gus Varland joined the White Sox via waivers in early August and has impressed in his stint in Chicago. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 12.7 K/9 in ten appearances with the White Sox. He uses primarily a four-seam fastball and slider, and that formula has worked. Opposing batters are slugging just .344 against his four-seamer, and his slider features almost 35 inches of drop. Varland is another guy who has seized the opportunity put in front of him. He should be a factor for a bullpen spot next spring.
Sean Burke
Sean Burke made his MLB debut just yesterday, but it went well. He threw three innings without allowing an earned run, along with three strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-hander was drafted in the third round in 2021 and has worked his way up to the bigs despite several injuries. While his AAA stats this season are not great, he struck out 86 in just 64.1 innings at that level. Burke uses a four-seam fastball, slider, and curveball as his repertoire and has shown the ability to miss bats consistently in the minors. He can now show what he can do in Chicago and potentially carve out a role in the White Sox bullpen.
Jairo Iriarte
Jairo Iriarte was acquired in the Dylan Cease trade earlier this year and is among the organization's top prospects. The 22-year-old right-hander's command has been shaky, issuing six walks in just 2.2 MLB innings. Despite his early struggles, his stuff is good. There is no doubt about that. As a starter, he struck out almost a batter an inning at the AA level this season. His four-seam fastball paired with his slider and changeup has the potential to be lethal as he matures. Iriarte's role moving forward is somewhat undefined at the moment. He was a starter in the minors this season but is working as a reliever now. Regardless of his role, he will likely be a part of the White Sox pitching staff for years down the line.
Better Days Are Coming
The White Sox are at the point where they have to overhaul the entire roster. That process will take time, but signs of improvement are already occurring in the bullpen. All five pitchers listed above are young, affordable, and have a ton of team control moving forward. While relievers are volatile and can become ineffective quickly, the team is slowly building a bullpen nucleus. A quality bullpen is a must in modern baseball, and the White Sox are trending in the right direction in that department.
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