White Sox Decision Raises Eyebrows: Ramos Optioned After One Game

Life was going well for White Sox infielder Bryan Ramos. The 22-year-old officially became a United States citizen a month ago, after waiting five years for the opportunity. He was then recalled to the big leagues on Monday for his second stint with the White Sox. But after Grady Sizemore left him out of the lineup in the finale of the White Sox four-game set against the Tigers, the rookie infielder found himself packing his bags once again to return to Charlotte. 

According to MLB reporter Francys Romero, Ramos was reportedly optioned to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for Jacob Amaya. The White Sox claimed Amaya off waivers earlier this week. As Romero points out, the White Sox are apparently giving more opportunities to players outside of the organization than their own homegrown talent. 

Giving Amaya a look isn’t an issue. The 25-year-old has posted solid numbers in his minor league career batting .251 with 62 homers and 331 RBIs in his seven seasons as a pro. While those numbers don’t jump off the page it is important to note that he is considered a defensive-minded infielder. He is exactly the type of player that fits White Sox general manager Chris Getz’s initial vision for the 2024 season of improving the defense. 

Amaya has also shown a knack for getting on base. Since 2021 he has posted a 12.3% walk rate. In 2022 he drew 81 free passes and followed that up by 70 walks last season. Amaya was released by the Astros after playing only one game with them and has just 10 MLB at-bats under his belt. He will be out of options at the end of the season, so now is the time for the White Sox to give him an extended look. 

However, playing Amaya at the expense of Ramos is a curious decision, to say the least. Ramos had been playing well in Triple-A Charlotte, hitting .257 with 19 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs in 59 games. Ramos also showed the ability to flash the leather at third base during his first 15 games with the White Sox. This point in the season would have been the perfect opportunity to give a young kid like Ramos an extended opportunity to grow at the MLB level and see what he needs to focus on heading into the offseason.

If the White Sox didn’t think he was ready for a second stint in the big leagues then there is no point in wasting the time and money to send Ramos to Chicago only to send him down one game later. The White Sox have already shown they are willing to play short-handed to prevent placing guys on the IL. This inexplicable strategy would have made more sense in this situation with the team already at 101 losses and eliminated from playoff contention. Instead, the White Sox decided to waste one of Ramos's minor league options, along with his time.

Currently, the White Sox have Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa on the roster as options at third base. However, Vargas has struggled mightly since being traded and Sosa can be moved to second base. The other second base option on the roster, Nicky Lopez, does not have a long-term future with the team so it would make more sense to prioritize playing Sosa at second and platoon Ramos and Vargas at third. Interim manager Grady Sizemore told reporters on Monday that he believed Ramos’ presence would help out Vargas because he could play the two interchangeably at the hot corner based on night-to-night matchups.