White Sox Part Ways With Sergio Santos Despite Minor League Success

Among the White Sox sweeping coaching changes to the major league staff, the club elected not to pick up the contract of Sergio Santos for 2026.

Santos joined the White Sox organization as a coach in 2024, when he was named manager of Double-A Birmingham. In his lone season at the helm, he led the Barons to a 72-66 record and a Southern League title.

Following that success, Santos was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte to manage the Knights. His 2025 club finished 67-83, a mark that was one game worse than Charlotte’s 2024 record. Despite the record, Santos showed the ability to connect with many of the team's top prospects. 

The 42-year-old played six seasons in the MLB, which included making his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2010. In 2011, he was tapped as the team's closer and recorded 30 saves. However, Santos began his career as an outfielder before converting to a relief pitcher — a transition that gave him a unique perspective on player development, one many of his players could relate to.

Before coming to the White Sox he managed in the Florida Complex Valley League and at High-A Hudson Valley, the Yankees' High-A affiliate. 

Given his experience and track record, the White Sox opting not to renew his contract came as a bit of a surprise. Still, Santos has indicated he plans to pursue other managing and coaching opportunities, with an eye toward eventually leading a major league club. In that sense, the parting of ways could prove beneficial for both sides.

Santos still lacks major league coaching experience, and historically, teams rarely promote minor league managers without MLB experience. The White Sox were one of the few teams to take such a leap when they hired Robin Ventura in 2012 despite his lack of prior MLB coaching. Ventura went on to post a 375-437 record over five seasons and is one of just nine managers in Major League Baseball between 1997 and 2017 to be hired with no previous coaching experience.

That's not to say that it couldn't happen for Santos, as Albert Pujols is considered the frontrunner for the Angels managerial vacancy, despite no prior coaching experience. Santos’ track record and experience in the minors suggest he could remain a candidate for future opportunities at the highest level, as he continues to add to his resume.

"Love and respect Sergio and thank him for his contribution to the organization,” White Sox director of player development Paul Janish told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. “We wish him nothing but the best moving forward."