Meet the new members of the White Sox farm system

1:53 AM UTC

CHICAGO -- Two young players were added to the White Sox rebuild Monday via a three-team trade with the Dodgers and the Cardinals. Minor League infielders Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez were added from the Dodgers, along with infielder Miguel Vargas, with reliever Michael Kopech going to Los Angeles and starter Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham going to the Cardinals.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about all of the newest members of the White Sox system.

Jeral Perez, INF, Class A Kannapolis
Pipeline scouting report: The Dodgers signed a number of promising hitters from the 2022 international class to relatively modest bonuses, including Perez for $397,500 out of the Dominican Republic. He tied for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League lead with 11 homers while making his U.S. debut in 2023 and finished the season in Single-A as an 18-year-old. He has been one of the best teenage hitters in full-season ball this year, which led the White Sox to acquire him in a three-team trade in July that sent Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham to the Cardinals and Michael Kopech to the Dodgers.

Perez has lightning-fast hands that produce tremendous bat speed from the right side of the plate. He has an advanced approach, rarely chasing pitches or missing them in the zone, and produces exceptionally hard contact for his age. He also shows tremendous feel for pulling balls in the air without selling out for power and could produce 25 or more homers per season.

Though Perez is a quality athlete, he's just an average runner. After dividing his time between second base, shortstop and third base in his first two years as a pro, he has played almost exclusively at the keystone in 2024. His average arm strength is better suited for second than the left side of the infield.

Organizational fit: The White Sox were looking to add talent, regardless of the timeline for Major League arrival, so going younger with both of these 19-year-olds in the three-team trade was not an issue. Perez took part in the All-Star Futures Game this year, and according to general manager Chris Getz, has strong zone control and bat-to-ball skills. “The makeup’s really strong there,” Getz said. Perez is now Chicago’s No. 13 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

ETA: 2027-28

, INF, Class A Kannapolis
Pipeline scouting report: Albertus initially flew under the radar in the Dodgers' 2022 international crop, signing for $75,000 out of Aruba and hitting a soft .304 in his pro debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. After starting to add some much-needed strength, he batted .309/.447/.479 last summer between the DSL and the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Other teams took note and his name came up repeatedly in trade talks until the White Sox landed him in the three-team deal in July that shipped Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham to the Cardinals and Michael Kopech to the Dodgers.

Even taking into consideration that Albertus has yet to face much in the way of advanced pitching, he has one of the most patient approaches in the system, drawing 70 walks versus just 40 strikeouts in his first 85 pro games. He improved the quality of his contact last year, hitting the ball harder and launching it in the air much more consistently. A right-handed hitter, he can get pull-happy at times but offers the upside of a high on-base percentage guy who provides 15-20 homers per season.

Albertus has a high baseball IQ that allows him to play faster than his fringy speed on the bases and in the field. He has solid arm strength and divided his time almost equally between third base, second base and shortstop in his first two pro seasons. He profiles best at second base and could be an average defender there or at the hot corner, while sticking at short is more of a stretch.

Organizational fit: Albertus got off to a great start in the ACL, according to Getz, and the White Sox scouts were raving about him. He also looks strong analytically. Albertus has been on the injured list since July 26 with a season-ending stress reaction in his left tibia. The injury is not considered to be serious, according to the White Sox, and is expected to heal with rest. It is anticipated that he will be ready for Spring Training.

The White Sox have built up some pitching depth, but they needed to add to their position player core. Albertus is now Chicago’s No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. “To get those three was a very good return, especially considering where we were on Opening Day, and using some of the players that have become something to acquire talent,” Getz said.

ETA: 2027-28