White Sox Sign Infielder To Minor League Deal

The White Sox are back on the board in free agency. Days after signing outfielder Cal Mitchell to a minor league contract, the organization has signed infielder Nick Maton to a minor league deal per Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. Maton will be invited to big league camp as part of the contract and figures to compete for a roster spot in spring training.

Maton's MLB Track Record

Maton, a 27-year-old left-handed hitting infielder, has bounced around throughout his professional career. He has seen MLB time with the Phillies, Tigers, and Orioles over parts of four big league seasons. Maton’s best big league stint came with the Phillies in 2022, where he hit .250 with five home runs and an .855 OPS in 34 games.

Following his successful 2022 season, Maton was traded to the Detroit Tigers as part of a five-player trade. Unfortunately for him, his stint in Detroit was nowhere near as successful as his time in Philadelphia. He hit just .173 with a .593 OPS in 93 games for the 2023 Tigers. As a result of his poor season, Detroit designated him for assignment in February 2024.

AAA Success

Shortly after being DFAed, the Tigers traded Maton to the Baltimore Orioles. He had just five MLB at-bats with the Orioles in 2024 but was productive for their AAA affiliate. Maton hit .258 with 12 doubles, 16 home runs, and an .834 OPS in 87 AAA games. It is also worth noting that he did overlap with Ryan Fuller, the White Sox new director of hitting, in Baltimore. 

Maton's Defensive Versatility

Maton’s standout trait is his defensive versatility. He has played every defensive position over his professional career except catcher. He has even pitched multiple times. Versatility is more important than ever in baseball, especially for fringe players who do not have a position set in stone. That is the area in which Maton excels.

White Sox Infield Competition

Maton will join a crowded infield group in White Sox spring training. Miguel Vargas, Bryan Ramos, Brooks Baldwin, Lenyn Sosa, Jacob Amaya, Braden Shewmake, and top prospect Colson Montgomery are just some of the many players Maton will compete with for an MLB roster spot in the spring. Maton does have a slight advantage over the pack in that he has more MLB experience than everyone else in that group. His ability to play the outfield could also give him the inside track to a spot if he performs well in the spring.

Final Word

Like the Cal Mitchell signing a couple of days ago, Nick Maton will likely serve as depth in spring training. He is not even guaranteed to remain in the White Sox organization beyond the spring. Yet, given how bad the White Sox were last season and how little talent they currently have, there is no harm in giving players minor-league contracts and letting them show what they can do.