Former Dash star Jiménez makes White Sox Opening Day roster
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 26, 2019) - The Chicago White Sox announced Tuesday that former Dash outfielder Eloy Jiménez, who is rated the third-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, has made the team's Opening Day roster and is slated to start on Thursday at Kansas City.When Jiménez takes the field
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 26, 2019) - The Chicago White Sox announced Tuesday that former Dash outfielder Eloy Jiménez, who is rated the third-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, has made the team's Opening Day roster and is slated to start on Thursday at Kansas City.
When Jiménez takes the field at Kauffman Stadium, he will become the 362nd Winston-Salem alumnus to reach the Majors, with 54 of them playing for the franchise during the Dash era (2009-present).
Coming into the season, the right-handed slugger was ranked the top prospect in the White Sox system per MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. Earlier this month, Chicago signed Jiménez to a six-year, $43 million contract with two club options that could extend the deal through 2026. It is the largest contract extension granted to a player before their first MLB appearance.
A Dominican Republic native, Jiménez originally signed with the Chicago Cubs at the age of 16 as an international free agent on August 1, 2013. After spending just over three seasons in the Cubs organization, Jiménez was traded to the White Sox on July 13, 2017, along with right-hander
Upon joining the White Sox organization, Jiménez was assigned to Winston-Salem. After being named a Midseason All-Star with Myrtle Beach, Jiménez continued to crush Carolina League pitching with the Dash.
The slugger earned White Sox co-Minor League Player of the Month honors in July of 2017, after hitting .356 with four home runs, seven doubles and 14 RBIs in 17 games. In 29 contests wearing the Dash purple, Jiménez posted a .345 average and a .682 slugging percentage with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 26 RBIs. Later that summer, Jiménez earned a promotion to Double-A Birmingham, where he hit .353 with three home runs, five doubles and seven RBIs in 18 games.
After beginning 2018 with the Barons, Jiménez was named the Southern League Player of the Month in May, leading the league with a 1.082 OPS. A Midseason Southern League All-Star, Jiménez was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte after the Southern League All-Star Break. In 55 games with the Knights, Jiménez recorded a .355 average with 12 home runs, 13 doubles and 33 RBIs.
Jiménez will be the second Winston-Salem alumnus to make his Major League debut in 2019. Former Dash right-hander
The home opener will take place on Thursday, April 11, against the Potomac Nationals at 7 p.m. For details on the Dash's 2019 season, call (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.