The Chicago White Sox are fully embracing their youth movement, and no position is off limits.
On Saturday, the club designated veteran catcher Reese McGuire for assignment and selected the contract of top catching prospect Drew Romo from Triple-A Charlotte. The move marks a clear shift in philosophy on the South Side — moving away from serviceable veterans and doubling down on high-upside talent behind the plate.
McGuire, who hit just .172 in limited action this season, provided steady defense and veteran presence, but his lack of offensive production no longer fit the direction the rebuilding Sox are heading. GM Chris Getz made the tough call, signaling that the organization is no longer settling for “good enough” at any spot.
Drew Romo’s journey to Chicago has been anything but ordinary. The 24-year-old switch-hitter was originally a first-round pick by the Rockies before bouncing through waivers with the Orioles and Mets earlier this winter. The White Sox claimed him in January, and he’s been tearing it up in Charlotte, hitting .294 with plus defense and surprising speed for a catcher over 17 games.
“Drew is an incredible athlete behind the plate,” Getz said. “He brings the kind of dynamic skill set we want moving forward. With Kyle Teel working his way back, we’re building something special for the long haul.”
That long-term vision includes top catching prospect Kyle Teel, who is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Charlotte next week after dealing with a right hamstring strain. The plan is for Romo and Teel to eventually form a young, athletic tandem capable of handling Chicago’s promising young pitching staff.
For now, Romo gets his shot to prove he belongs in the big leagues. He’ll be tasked with catching the likes of Munetaka Murakami and the towering Noah Schultz while showing he can contribute both offensively and defensively.
The White Sox aren’t just tweaking their roster — they’re turning the page on the old guard and handing the keys to the next generation. The catching carousel keeps spinning on the South Side, and right now, it’s spinning toward youth and upside.