The Chicago White Sox claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Cubs on Monday, according to 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine. The move adds another infield option to their 40-man roster, which now sits at 39 players.
Cowles has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. He’s got two more option years remaining, so the White Sox have plenty of time to figure out if he fits their plans.
The 24-year-old’s professional journey started when the Yankees drafted him in the 10th round back in 2021. He made some noise in their system, setting a franchise record for consecutive games reaching base safely with the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2023.
That’s when things got interesting.
The Yankees dealt him to the Cubs last July 30th, but Cowles only appeared in four games after the trade. He was dealing with lingering effects from getting hit by a pitch, which limited his action down the stretch. Chicago optioned him to Triple-A to start 2025, then designated him for assignment this week.
Now he’s in the White Sox organization, where the infield picture is getting more crowded by the day. Colson Montgomery has been the story since his callup and MLB debut – the kid’s been launching home runs at an impressive clip and looks like he could be a cornerstone piece.
Lenyn Sosa is having his own breakout year. He’s already playing in 21 more games than his previous career high and has doubled his season-high home run total. That’s the kind of production that changes how teams view their depth chart.
The White Sox also have Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, Bryan Ramos, and Curtis Mead in the mix. It’s a solid group of options, but there’s always room for another versatile infielder who can work his way up.
For Cowles, this represents a fresh start with an organization that’s looking to build something. The White Sox aren’t in win-now mode, which could work in his favor. They can afford to be patient and see what develops, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jack Ankony.
With those two remaining option years, there’s no rush to make any definitive decisions. Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what a player needs to unlock his potential.
