'The kind of kid you root for': Ramos obtains U.S. citizenship

CHICAGO -- Bryan Ramos returned from Triple-A Charlotte to the White Sox as a changed man prior to their 6-3 loss to the Tigers on Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

His plate approach hadn’t been altered drastically after his first stint with the big league team from May 4-29. Instead, the 22-year-old native of La Habana, Cuba, had become a United States citizen.

“That’s such an accomplishment for me,” a smiling Ramos said. “That was an awesome feeling.”

Ramos waited five years for the opportunity to become a citizen and began studying for the test in January. About one month ago, he flew back to Arizona needing to get six of the 10 questions right on the exam to complete the process.

With a broad smile, Ramos said he aced the test. The pride factor was evident in every word spoken on the matter by the No. 13 White Sox prospect. He also stressed the ability to bring his parents -- who have never watched him play a Minor League or Major League game in person -- to the United States, instead of waiting to see them during a December visit to Cuba.

“Now it’s a possibility that can happen,” Ramos said. “I can have them around me. I’m in the process. They are not here yet, but I’m in the process, for sure.”

“[Ramos] was so fired up, and in addition to that, he graduated from our English program as well last year,” said White Sox director of player development Paul Janish. “Anybody who's had a chance to be around Bryan in our organization, he's just such an impressive kid, the kind of kid you root for. He's an ambassador in a lot of different ways."

Interim manager Grady Sizemore did not play Ramos in the finale of the four-game set with the Tigers, marking the 20th sweep of the White Sox (31-101) this season, 11th sweep at home and their fifth of four games. With Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa already on the roster as third-base possibilities, and Yoán Moncada beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday with Charlotte, Sizemore will have some options within his lineup as long as they are part of the active roster.

“It’s going to be day to day. I’m going to look for good matchups. [Ramos] helps us out a lot,” Sizemore said. “Vargas is versatile, so that does open things up for him. But I still see them both playing third base.”

For the second consecutive game, the White Sox held a 2-0 lead but could not make it last, as they dipped to 1-9 against the Tigers overall, lost for the 10th straight time at home to Detroit and matched last season’s loss total with 30 games remaining. Davis Martin allowed one run on seven hits over five innings, striking out four.

The right-hander has not won a game since Sept. 30, 2022 at San Diego, working his way back from Tommy John surgery last May. Martin wasn’t pointing fingers postgame, despite leaving with a 2-1 lead before the Tigers (66-66) scored five in the seventh off Jared Shuster and Justin Anderson.

“[The Tigers are] pesky hitters; they put the ball in play,” Sizemore said. “They were giving us tough at-bats the whole series. It was just a tough outing. Shu's been great for us. Sometimes, it happens. We haven't had a lot of things go our way, and they put together a good inning."

This White Sox roster will continue changing before and after September callups. For at least Monday, Ramos was back after a .196 showing during his first stint but carrying a 10-game hitting streak for Charlotte before his recall. He also returns as a U.S. citizen.

“I’m an original Cuban. But to be an American citizen is like a big thing for me,” Ramos said. “The test was kind of quick because I know basically all the questions. I’ve been practicing since January for that. I memorized it all.”