The Chicago White Sox have released Jared Walsh from his minor league contract, according to the MLB.com transaction log. The former All-Star first baseman is now a free agent.
Walsh began the season with the Texas Rangers, filling in for the injured Nathaniel Lowe. In 17 games, he posted a .226/.317/.321 line over 60 plate appearances. Once Lowe returned, Walsh was designated for assignment and subsequently released. The White Sox signed him shortly after and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte.
Despite being a sensible depth acquisition, Walsh struggled against minor league pitching. He struck out at a high rate of 36.9%, and even with a solid 12.1% walk rate and eight home runs, his overall slash line of .185/.289/.415 was underwhelming. These numbers were not enough to warrant a call-up, even for a rebuilding team like the White Sox.
Walsh was a standout for the Angels between 2020 and 2021, hitting 29 home runs in the latter season. However, he has not been able to replicate that success in the past three years, primarily due to injuries. His 2022 season was cut short by thoracic outlet syndrome, and since his return, he has struggled to make consistent contact. Last season, he struck out nearly 35% of the time in Triple-A with the Angels and has continued to struggle at the major league level, striking out over 37% of the time and hitting just .159/.250/.293 in his most recent 176 MLB plate appearances.
Walsh will now look for another opportunity to revive his career as he enters free agency once again.
