White Sox Make Series Of Interesting Roster Moves

On Sunday the White Sox selected the contract of Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A Charlotte.  To make room on the 40-man roster for Robinson, outfielder Duke Ellis was designated for assignment. 

Robinson was signed to a minor league deal in December. However, he had a contractual opt-out with the Charlotte Knights, if he was not added to the White Sox 40-man roster. The front office thinks highly of Robinson and did not want to let him walk. 

“He had an out. And he’s got a lot of value to the organization,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “He’s a guy we really liked in the spring. He had a good spring. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s a catcher. There are not many of those guys around. We didn’t want to lose him. 

While Robinson had his contract selected he will still remain in Triple-A. The White Sox optioned him back to Charlotte after placing him on the 40-man roster. With Max Stassi out for the year, Robinson is next in line on the depth chart behind the White Sox current catching tandem of Martin Maldonado and Korey Lee.

Robinson has struggled a bit offensively this season. In his first 42 games in Charlotte, he is hitting .228/.280/.376 with 25 RBIs and six home runs. Robinson did put together a solid 2023 season in Triple-A Louisville, slashing .290/.356/.450 in 369 at-bats but never got an opportunity to return to the show thanks in part to a crowded Reds depth chart that included Tyer Stephenson, Luke Maile, and Curt Casali. 

The Astros selected Robinson in the 21st round of the 2016 draft. The former 637th overall pick has just 25 games of MLB experience under his belt, all of which came during the 2022 season with Cincinnati. The Reds took Robinson in the 2020 minor league Rule 5 draft. Robinson slashed .136/.136/.271 in 59 at-bats but did hit two home runs and drive in five RBIs during his only taste of big-league action.   The 29-year-old has had some issues with passed balls in the minor leagues. He had seven last season in Triple-A and 34 in his career. In 2019 he had 18 passed balls in Double-A alone. 

Duke Ellis DFA'd

Meanwhile, the White Sox are hoping that Ellis clears waivers. The speedy outfielder was four for four in stolen base attempts in his first taste of MLB action. However, his short eight-game stint was highlighted by getting picked off at second base in a one-run game against the Cubs and dropping a fly ball that would have been the final out of the game against the Red Sox. 

Ellis is known for his speed and defense and can play all three outfield positions. The 26-year-old has stolen 34 bases in 35 attempts this season, which leads the Southern League. On the defensive side, he has played 178 innings in left field and 127 innings in center and has yet to make an error in the minor leagues this season. Given his skill set a contending team may want to take a flier on him. However, his limited offensive ability may be enough for teams to pass over him.

Prior to getting promoted to the big leagues, Ellis was slashing just .258/.341/.308 with one home run and 12 RBIs in Double-A Birmingham.