Prelander

Berroa

Berroa will presumably get an extended look in Chicago’s bullpen after the club’s decision to move on from veteran John Brebbia. The 24-year-old right-hander, who was an intriguing prospect just a few years earlier when he was with the Mariners, has struggled this season in three relief appearances at the highest level. He’s a notable name, but there’s zero fantasy appeal here at the moment.

Berroa allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings over two appearances this weekend. It was hoped that he might emerge as the White Sox’s closer at some point this season, but it really doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. Even in Triple-A, he had a 6.69 ERA and 28 walks in 40 1/3 innings.

With Drew Thorpe landing on the injured list with a forearm issue on Friday, Berroa will return for at least a few days to add a fresh arm to their bullpen until they sort out how they’ll handle Thorpe’s spot in the rotation. Berroa, 24, has made just one appearance with the White Sox this season, allowing a hit batsmen in his 1/3 of an inning of work.

Berrora came into Tuesday’s game against the Royals in the eighth inning where he got out of a bases loaded jam when Kyle Farmer grounded out to third base. The 24-year-old has struggled at the minor league level with a 8.74 ERA in his 11 appearances (two starts) with Charlotte. He’ll have to continue to develop before he becomes an option the White Sox can rely on in high-leverage situations.

Berroa was acquired in the trade that sent Gregory Santos to the Mariners. The 24-year-old was not particularly effective in Triple-A with an 8.74 ERA, but the rebuilding (and then some) White Sox will give the right-hander a chance to work out of the bullpen. He has some long-term potential if he can figure out the whole throwing strikes thing.

Berroa became an immediate saves sleeper in Chicago upon being acquired from the Mariners, but he developed a minor shoulder issue early in spring training and has struggled mightily while on the mound (he had a 13.50 ERA in four innings during the Cactus League). Especially now that Michael Kopech is in the White Sox pen, Berroa seems like a much longer shot to be a fantasy factor this year than he did a month ago.

The 23-year-old will begin his 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level as he works to get back from a shoulder injury he suffered during camp in mid March. Berroa made five appearances in Spring Training and posted a 13.50 ERA with a 5/0 K/BB ratio across 4.0 innings of work. There’s a chance he could be called up later this season if he shows improvement and John Brebbia struggles as the White Sox closer.

It’s unclear exactly how long the 23-year-old right-hander will be sidelined for, but it’s likely that he’ll begin the season on the injured list. Expect Berroa to undergo additional testing and the White Sox to provide a full update on his status once more information is known.

The White Sox can hope that Berroa will be their new Santos or they could him back to the rotation. He was a starter until last May, when the Mariners shifted him to the pen. He wound up with a 2.89 ERA and a 101/39 K/BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings in Double-A. His control would have to improve by leaps and bounds for him to make it as a major league starter, but his stuff is excellent, and he wouldn’t have to progress nearly as much in order to emerge as an excellent reliever. Assuming that he’s in the pen, he’ll be a fantasy sleeper on a team with no legit closer. John Brebbia is the top option at the moment.

Passan adds that the White Sox will also receive the 69th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in the deal. It’s not quite an offseason blockbuster, but it’s a noteworthy trade from a fantasy perspective as Santos was expected to be in the mix to close for the White Sox. The 24-year-old righty is expected to be ready for the outset of spring training after missing the closing stages of last year due to elbow inflammation.