Steven Wilson has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte after getting designated for assignment by the White Sox. He will be a non-roster invitee at Spring Training, bringing the number of players in camp to 69.
Wilson was part of a four-player return in a trade that sent Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres. The 30-year-old right-hander was entering his third MLB season when White Sox GM Chris Getz traded for him. At the time Getz envisioned Wilson as someone who could give the team quality innings out of the bullpen. During his first 52 appearances, he posted a 3.41 ERA.
That stretch included going 1-2 with a 3.91 ERA and 26% strikeout rate across 53 innings in 2023. However, his 12.3 walk rate was one of the worst in the MLB. That trend continued into 2024. Wilson walked 16 percent of the hitters he faced while his strikeout rate dropped to 20 percent. In 34.2 innings the 30-year old right-hander went 1-6 with a 5.71 ERA and 1.587 WHIP.
By DFAing Willson, Getz is showing that he does not have any sentimental value for the players he traded for. Wilson marked the third player that Getz added in a major trade who has been DFA’d by the team. Given he has posted solid numbers in two of the three seasons he has pitched it was surprising that another team didn’t take a flier on him.
Despite flashes of effectiveness in previous seasons, his struggles with command and consistency, which ultimately led to his removal from the White Sox 40-man roster, may have been red flags for other potential suitors. While Wilson’s MLB future remains uncertain, his track record suggests he could still work his way back if he refines his control in the minors.
