White Sox Make 2 Interesting Minor-League Promotions

The Chicago White Sox are making some intriguing roster moves down on the farm by promoting two pitching prospects. With a vacancy at the top of the organization after Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn were fired, assistant general manager Chris Getz is calling the shots in the interim. It's widely believed that Getz will be named the new head of baseball operations in the coming days.

Regardless of whether Getz's position becomes permanent, right-handers Cristian Mena and Nick Nastrini are joining Triple-A Charlotte. The two hurlers have spent their 2023 seasons with Double-A affiliates. Nastrini came to the White Sox from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Lance Lynn/Joe Kelly trade. Mena signed with Chicago for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic during the 2019 international signing period.

The Lynn Trade

Nastrini began the year with the Dodgers organization and was rated the 54th overall prospect by Baseball America. He made 15 starts for Los Angeles's affiliate in Tulsa and pitched to a 4.03 ERA in 73.2 innings. The 23-year-old fanned 85 hitters and issued 37 free passes with Tulsa.

Nastrini has made four starts for Birmingham, and the White Sox brass saw enough in his 21.1 innings and 4.22 ERA to promote him. Overall, the righty has a 4.07 ERA in 21 starts with 116 punchouts and 44 walks in 95 innings.

2019 International Class

Mena has risen quickly since joining the White Sox organization in 2019. He pitched to a 3.80 ERA across three minor-league levels in 2022 as a 19-year-old. After earning a cup of coffee with the Birmingham Barons in 2022, he began his 2023 campaign with the Double-A affiliate. The righty completed 23 starts for the Barons and compiled a 4.66 ERA in 114 innings, fanning 136 while walking 55.

The Dominican is an intriguing pitcher due to his quick ascension and age. At only 20 years old, Mena will be one of the youngest players in the International League.

What's On Tap Next?

With only a few weeks left in the season for the Charlotte Knights, Nastrini and Mena will get their first taste of top-level minor-league competition. This is likely a short stint for the two prospects to prepare themselves for Spring Training and where their 2024 season likely begins.