Breaking news: Pedro Griefol, the head couch of the Chicago White Sox, has signed a new contract.
According to his transactions tracker at MLB.com, right-hander Juan Then has inked a minor league contract with the White Sox. He now plays for Triple-A Charlotte, although he might get invited to major league spring training.
As Wednesday is Then’s (pronounced Ten) 24th birthday, this is sort of an early birthday present for him. With the Mariners last season, the right-hander made his main league debut, pitching 11 innings in nine games while giving up six earned runs. In addition to only giving up two walks, he only struck out five opponents. Additionally, 63.4% of the balls he allowed to be in play ended up on the ground. At the end of the season, he had the option to choose free agency after being outrighted by the Mariners in August.
He was originally signed by the Mariners as an international free agent. In 2017, he was traded to the Yankees for Nick Rumbelow, although he later returned to the M’s via the 2019 Edwin Encarnación trade. Previously primarily a starter, the Mariners added him to their 40-man roster in November 2020 so as to prevent him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. Then, in 2021, he had difficulties, and in 2022, he was mostly hurt. The Mariners moved him to the bullpen last year as he was about to enter his final option season.
Apart from his career in the major leagues, he also had an 8.92 ERA in 36 1/3 innings pitched in the minor leagues. Although that number is undoubtedly terrible to look at, it doesn’t look as bad as it is. His poor strand rate of 54.3% and batting average of.411 on balls in play contributed to his FIP being more than three runs lower than his ERA of 5.87.
Even though Then is still relatively young and was ranked as the Mariners’ #17 prospect just two years ago, his FIP isn’t all that intriguing.As of July 2023, FanGraphs still ranked him as the club’s #28 prospect. While his statistics were largely disappointing last year, he was above 50% in ground balls at Double-A, Triple-A, and the major leagues. There is no harm in adding him to the White Sox organization in a non-roster role. There is potential for long-term gain if all goes according to plan, since he has 27 days of MLB service time and may be affordably kept after this season.
In the past year, the Sox’ bullpen has experienced a lot of movement: since last summer, Kendall Graveman, Ronaldo López, Aaron Bummer, Keynan Middleton, and Joe Kelly have all been dealt.While Liam Hendriks is recuperating from Tommy John surgery, his 2024 option was rejected. In order to gauge the response, the team also intends to keep Garrett Crochet longer. Tim Hill and John Brebbia joined the Sox in free agency, and Rule 5 pick Shane Drohan is in the mix, but there could be a path for a non-roster player like Then to carve out a role. However, he is now out of options and will face a challenge in holding a roster spot even if he gets one.
