Oscar Colas’ Journey Takes A Surprising Twist
Just a few days ago, the White Sox made a very interesting move, one where they designated Oscar Colas for assignment. If you told someone in 2022 that Colas would be DFA’d just three years later, they would have called you crazy, as he was hailed as the “Cuban Ohtani.” But, that is where the White Sox are at with him at this point.
The former top-100 prospect has had an up and down career with the White Sox, as after he was sent down to the minor leagues in 2023, he hasn’t seemed to get a fair shot at another opportunity.
While Colas did not produce in 2023, as he hit .216 with five homeruns and 19 RBIs, he looked significantly better in 2024 when he got a chance to play.
In 13 games in 2024, Colas hit .273 with a .368 OBP. While those numbers aren’t going to get you into any all-star games, he looked significantly better than the last time he was up in Chicago.
Still just 26, Colas only has 278 at-bats under his belt at the major league level. There was a reason Colas was a top-100 prospect, yet Colas is running out of opportunities to play in Chicago.
Colas had a decent Spring Training, as he hit .250 with a .333 OBP in 16 at-bats. He struggled with an injury during the spring, so he didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself. However, it was clear the White Sox saw what they needed to and DFA’d him.
However, in an interesting turn of events, Colas cleared waivers and has been assigned to the Charlotte Knights. With Colas being only 26 years old, I would’ve guessed someone would have taken a chance on him, as it seems he never got a fair shake in Chicago to this point.
However, it seems that nobody else in the league wanted to give Colas a spot on their 40-man roster. This may mean that other teams have the same issue with Colas that the White Sox do.
With Colas assigned to the Knights, there is still a chance that he could return to the White Sox if he plays well in AAA, as there isn’t much prospect competition in the outfield, especially in AAA. As of right now, the White Sox have outfielders Michael A. Taylor and Travis Jankowski on the roster, both of which could and should be moved off of if Colas or another younger player starts to play well in AAA.
This may be the last opportunity Colas gets with the team, as with all the up and down over his White Sox career, if he gets a chance to leave, he may take it.