The White Sox Just Made A Sneaky Signing With Real Upside
The White Sox had a nice improvement in the win column from 2024-2025, as they added 19 more wins. However, despite their improvement, they were unable to avoid their third straight 100-loss season. As we approach the end of the year, the White Sox have already added some players that will contribute to their win total in to 2026, as it is very likely that the White Sox will avoid 100 losses this upcoming season.
Despite already adding Munetaka Murakami, Anthony Kay, and Sean Newcomb in free agency, the White Sox should not stop taking fliers on former top-100 prospects, or promising young players, as they could find a potential diamond in the rough.
It seems that Chris Getz agrees, as according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the White Sox have signed former first round pick Jarred Kelenic to a contract, and are inviting him to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.
White Sox news: OF Jarred Kelenic is joining the team as a non-roster invite. Just 26, Kelenic spent the last couple years in the Braves organization after being a first round pick with the Mets. He’s still trying to find his groove at the plate. Has a career .658 OPS.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 31, 2025
This is a fantastic move by Chris Getz, as Kelenic was a former consensus top-20 prospect in all of baseball and has produced in the major leagues. Still just 26 years old, Kelenic will look to break camp with the White Sox and look to extend his major league career.
Kelenic struggled in his first two seasons, as he hit .181 in his rookie year and .141 in his sophomore year. However, Kelenic figured something out in 2023, as he slashed .253/.327/.419, adding 11 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. This was good for 2.1 WAR according to Baseball Reference.
Wisconsin’s own Jared Kelenic is finally living up to his potential. Huge homer pic.twitter.com/HxlsTpWs27
— Tapping The Keg Sports (@TappingTheKeg) April 12, 2023
Kelenic was then traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he has spent parts of the last two seasons. Kelenic had a decent year in 2024, as he hit .231, but added 15 home runs and 45 RBIs. While the overall season wasn’t as great for Kelenic, he still showed his power potential from the left side.
Unfortunately for Kelenic 2025 didn’t go his way, as he hit .167 in just 24 major league games. Now joining the White Sox, he looks to get back to his 2023 self.
As it stands right now, the White Sox don’t have a starting right fielder set in stone. Kelenic could realistically have a good Spring Training and win the job outright. The White Sox lose nothing by seeing what he can do, and it could pay off for the team in 2026, as he will get a fresh start on a team without any World Series pressure. Even if Kelenic is somewhere in-between 2023 and 2024, that would be a win, as the White Sox aren’t breaking the bank to sign him. This was a great signing and the White Sox should continue to add these types of players.