White Sox Claim Flame-Thrower Off Waivers; DFA 8-Year Veteran

25-year-old flame-throwing right-hander Alex Speas has blown batters away to the tune of 14 strikeouts per nine innings in his minor league career, but with only two innings of big league experience, the Texas Rangers couldn't keep him on their 40-man as they headed into the postseason and DFA'd him last week. 

The Chicago White Sox have now claimed the hard-thrower who touches 102 mph on the radar gun. 

Speas was throwing at 100 mph early in his minor league career before blowing out his elbow. He came back from surgery and has been able to amp it up to 102 ever since. After not allowing an earned run at Double-A for over a month, he was promoted this summer to Triple-A, and then the Rangers for a couple of innings. 

White Sox claim right-hander Alex Speas off waivers from Texas Rangers and release outfielder Tyler Naquin.

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) October 3, 2023

At the same time, the ChiSox have designated eight-year veteran Tyler Naquin for assignment, to make room for Speas on the 40-man. Naquin started this season with the Milwaukee Brewers, but was dealt to the White Sox in August. He spent most of this season in the minors, getting into only five games with the Pale Hose.

The veteran outfielder has been a league-average hitter over the course of his 562 games in the big leagues, with an OPS+ of exactly 100, while batting .264 with a total of 61 home runs. Just two years ago, however, he blasted 19 long balls in 127 games with the Cincinnati Reds, with an .809 OPS. 

The 32-year-old will now hit free agency and look for a new chance in 2024. 

Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports