Former Elite Slugging Prospect Eloy Jimenez Signs With New Team

Eloy Jimenez came into the majors with the Chicago White Sox as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball in 2019, behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. Pretty good company. But while Vladdy and Tatis have launched into star careers, Jimenez has not been able to sustain his lofty status after his first two seasons in 2019/2020.

Since then, a combination of injuries and poor performance have made Jimenez into a below-league-average hitter last season (OPS+ of 81), and he's now been relegated to having to accept a minor league contract to continue his career.

News: DH Eloy Jimenez and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a minor league deal, sources tell ESPN. Jimenez, 28, played for the White Sox and Orioles this year and hopes to rebuild his career with a Rays team that has high aspirations in the American League East.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 23, 2024

He split his time with the Orioles and White Sox in 2024, and hit just 6 dingers in 324 at-bats, while posting career lows of a .238 average and a .626 slugging percentage.

He's still only 28, and did launch 18 homers in 120 games as recently as 2023, with an OPS+ of 106, so it's not unlike the Rays to feel they can help a player like Jimenez recapture his mojo.