I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

1 minute ago, vilehoopster said:

I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

I’d rather put the lower ceiling guy on the bench than a guy who was a former first round pick. Unless Rikuu gets a lot of playing time.

1 minute ago, vilehoopster said:

I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

Rikuu's callup has a Duke Ellis vibe to it. They're not going to call up Gonzo to sit. He's an infielder, and he's not displacing any of Vargas, Colson, Meidroth or Mune.

Edited Monday at 05:29 PM5 days by WestEddy

15 hours ago, mmmmmbeeer said:

Missing the cutoff man is an inexcusable error for a bubble player. Good riddance.

I saw that live and immediately told everyone around me that it was time to DFA his ass.

1 minute ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I’d rather put the lower ceiling guy on the bench than a guy who was a former first round pick. Unless Rikuu gets a lot of playing time.

My guess is that on one hand, it's clear some folks in the Sox org really love Rikuu. Probably believe the on base skills are legit and that he's a great clubhouse guy, etc. On the other hand, upside is extremely limited so if you "ruin" him by not giving him much playing time not all that much is lost. And as far as Gonzalez is concerned, I think lack of speed makes him a little less appealing as a bench option right now anyway.

So what is next? Acuna gone Canon up?

3 hours ago, vilehoopster said:

I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

Gonzalez has been legit bad prior to this year. Don’t think it’s all that crazy to want to him to succeed for more than two months before calling him. If he can maintain his production, he will force the issue. Rikuu is simply a placeholder until a better LH presents itself.

3 hours ago, WestEddy said:

Rikuu's callup has a Duke Ellis vibe to it. They're not going to call up Gonzo to sit. He's an infielder, and he's not displacing any of Vargas, Colson, Meidroth or Mune.

I agree in terms of Rikuu being a guy you can cut bait on and not lose sleep if you were to lose him. I do think they will play him a similar amount as they did Kelenic though.

Edited Monday at 08:46 PM5 days by Chicago White Sox

3 hours ago, soxrwhite said:

So what is next? Acuna gone Canon up?

Acuna goes whenever Hays is back.

3 hours ago, vilehoopster said:

I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

I think they want Gonzalez to get at bats every day. He doesn't play anything besides infield, so he would be a part time player in chicago

I don't think I've even noticed this guy since the draft; not on any of the lists. He has Madrigal power (thus no lists) but he steals bases. If his D is good, why not!

https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/05/25/i-dont-feel-like-im-a-major-leaguer-rikuu-nishida-humble-despite-successful-debut

Yeah, up until this 2 month stretch, Gonzalez has done virtually nothing to warrant a call up in seasons past. Let’s see him do it for a longer stretch before saying he should be on the big league team.

I’m a Rikku fan, so I’m glad to see him get a shot.

4 minutes ago, Capn12 said:

Yeah, up until this 2 month stretch, Gonzalez has done virtually nothing to warrant a call up in seasons past. Let’s see him do it for a longer stretch before saying he should be on the big league team.

I’m a Rikku fan, so I’m glad to see him get a shot.

Would two or three Sox coaches cry if Gonzalez was brought up?

That was Schriff's Nishida claim.

But wait, there's more!

Richards the corresponding?

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/white-sox-prospect-rikuu-nishida-dazzles-with-outfield-assist-draws-multiple-standing-ovations-as-chicago-debuts-another-impressive-rookie-205121354.html

On 5/24/2026 at 7:18 PM, WhiteSox2023 said:

2 homeruns in 1389 minor league plate appearances?

He is only 5’6”, 150 lbs. so don’t expect too much on the power side. He is primarily a second baseman with lots of energy and high OBP.

The Sox are moving to a Japanese centric foreign contingent from the Cuban centric era. The Japanese are looking better so far.

8 hours ago, vilehoopster said:

I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

Gonzalez has a 1.261 OPS with 12 HR at home and a .756 OPS with 3 HR away. He's been getting lucky with that little league prk in Charlotte.

On 5/24/2026 at 8:01 PM, TheFutureIsNear said:

I like it. Now do Benintendi and Grichuk

Swapping Nashida, Hayes, Gonzo, and Pereira for Beni, Acuna, Kelenic, and Grichuk would be a breath of fresh air for the team.

Beni has been hitting better lately.

3 minutes ago, hankchifan said:

The Sox are moving to a Japanese centric foreign contingent from the Cuban centric era. The Japanese are looking better so far.

Jose Abreu erasure is crazy.

There are also two Cubans on the active roster.

8 hours ago, vilehoopster said:

I am okay with the move but really, really surprised it was Rikuu and not Jacob Gonzalez. Is the plan to put Rikuu in the outfield?

I would guess that Gonzalez and his agent have to be wondering WTF is going on here.

Gonzalez can only play 2B and a passable SS.

Maybe limited third.

We already have three 2B on roster...two will be capably deployed in the OF.

737 road ops in AAA for Jacob won't get Benintendi waived.

12 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Feels like we’ve eventually looking at the following:

• In => Nishada, Hayes, & Pereira

• Out => Acuna, Grichuk, & Kelenic

IMO, Acuna is the one guy who definitely has to go. He brings some defensive versatility and speed, but is literally unplayable with the bat. I’m not optimistic Nishada’s game will translate to the majors, but he will provide a professional at-bat, gives you another option in the infield (really just 2B), and can serve as a pinch-runner. Ideally he’s used a role player who can start at 2B (or LF) against tough righties allowing Chase more rest. Long-term this spot probably goes to Jacob Gonzalez (or Bergolla), but right now Nishada is an upgrade over Acuna.

The highlighted swap above still leaves you with a future OF crunch. Antonacci is a stud and the one guy who you can feel good about (developing defense not withstanding). IMO, Benintendi and Peters are the only other “safe” guys right now. While I eagerly await the day Andrew is gone, his bat is still around league average or slightly better against RHP and that plays at DH for the time being (Gonzalez could eventually push here as well). Meanwhile, Peters’ glove makes him a legit strong side platoon in CF even if the bat leaves a lot to be desired.

I would dump Acuna, only if Nishada sticks. I think the IF/OF is helpful. Nishada's outfield D was impressive; showed some arm as well.
Grichuk and Hayes are a tossup. Lean Grichuk as he's had a better year and is uninjured. Hill's right there, but he plays better D. Frankly, if need be, they could dump Grichuk and Hayes.
Benintendi has a .650 OPS; .682 against RHP. As a DH. That's heavy weight on this team.

1 hour ago, GreenSox said:

I would dump Acuna, only if Nishada sticks. I think the IF/OF is helpful. Nishada's outfield D was impressive; showed some arm as well.
Grichuk and Hayes are a tossup. Lean Grichuk as he's had a better year and is uninjured. Hill's right there, but he plays better D. Frankly, if need be, they could dump Grichuk and Hayes.
Benintendi has a .650 OPS; .682 against RHP. As a DH. That's heavy weight on this team.

Hays has the bigger contract...they won't move him until/unless they've already given up on his health this year.

There's also Pereira lingering out there, but seemingly not close to a return yet due to setbacks.

3 hours ago, Quin said:

Jose Abreu erasure is crazy.

There are also two Cubans on the active roster.

Alexei Ramirez? Jose Contreras? Can we partially count Rodon? Viciedo? El Duque? Minoso?