Former WooSox slugger signs with AL Central club on minor league deal
It’s finally over. Former Red Sox and WooSox slugger Bobby Dalbec is getting the change of scenery he has so desperately wanted the last couple of years.
Dalbec is signing a minor league deal with the White Sox that will include an invite to spring training, according to a team announcement. If Dalbec makes the White Sox roster, he will receive a $1.25 million salary with $500,000 available in incentives, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
Dalbec had spent his entire career with the Red Sox organization, who drafted him in the fourth round out of the University of Arizona in 2016.
The slugger burst on the scene during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, bashing eight homers in 80 at-bats (23 games). He followed that up with a strong rookie season, playing in 133 games, belting 25 homers with 78 RBIs with a .792 OPS.
Since his rookie season, Dalbec has hit just 14 homers, 13 doubles, two triples, and 48 RBI, .599 OPS and 198 strikeouts in 175 games for Boston. He has a 36.8% strikeout percentage in the majors, punching out 384 times in 1,044 plate appearances, according to FanGraphs.
Over the last couple of seasons, Dalbec had been looking for a new opportunity with another organization, but the Red Sox never accommodated his request. The Sox kept the versatile fielder around as insurance at Triple-A Worcester.
During his time with the Red Sox, Dalbec played in 331 games where he hit .222 with 47 homers, 37 doubles, seven triples, and 142 RBI with a .425 OPS.
With Dalbec heading to the White Sox, he should have a real chance to crack their big league roster in 2025. While with the WooSox, Dalbec played every infield position with the exception of second base. He also saw time in the outfield, playing both left field and right field for Worcester. His ability to offer positional versatility could help create a path for him to the White Sox roster.
The biggest issue that has plagued Dalbec has been his propensity to strike out at an alarming clip. He stuck out at a 36.1% clip with the WooSox last season.
