The White Sox didn’t just finalize their Opening Day roster — they made a statement.
Salem’s Jedixson Paez (17) pitches against the Shorebirds Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland. | Lauren Roberts/Salisbury Daily Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
As the team prepares to open the 2026 season in Milwaukee, one decision stands out above the rest: Chicago is taking a significant gamble on a 22-year-old pitcher who has never thrown a pitch above High-A.
Jedixson Páez is officially heading straight to the major leagues.
The right-hander, selected near the top of December’s Rule 5 Draft, will bypass the traditional development path entirely. Instead of working his way through Double-A or Triple-A, he’ll begin his season on a big-league roster — a rare and aggressive move that signals just how much the organization believes in his potential.
On paper, Páez doesn’t fit the usual Rule 5 mold.
Most selections in that draft are older prospects with upper-level experience who can survive in limited bullpen roles. Páez is the opposite. He’s young, relatively untested, and coming off a 2025 season shortened by injury.
Even his arsenal raises questions. His fastball sits in the low 90s, and he lacks the typical high-velocity profile teams often target for immediate bullpen help.
So why take the risk?
The answer lies in his control.
The White Sox saw something in Páez’s ability to command the strike zone — a trait that can sometimes translate faster than raw stuff. That belief carried him through spring training, where results were mixed but not without context.
His overall numbers weren’t dominant. He allowed eight earned runs across 11.1 innings, and his command wavered at times. But one rough outing accounted for most of that damage, and the organization clearly looked beyond the surface.
Then came the turning point.
When reliever Mike Vasil suffered a torn UCL in mid-March — an injury that will sideline him for the entire season — a roster spot suddenly opened. That moment changed everything.
With a need emerging in the bullpen, the White Sox chose upside over safety.
Now, Páez enters the season in an undefined but intriguing role.
A former starter, he could be used in multi-inning situations, offering flexibility to a pitching staff still finding its identity. And because of Rule 5 restrictions, Chicago will need to keep him on the active roster all season or risk losing him back to Boston.
That likely means patience.
The White Sox aren’t just evaluating Páez for a few weeks — they’re committing to his development in real time at the highest level. It’s a long play, one that could pay off significantly if handled correctly.
There’s also a broader context here.
Chicago struck gold in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, uncovering key contributors like Shane Smith and Mike Vasil. That success may have emboldened the front office to take an even bigger swing this time around.
But this one carries more risk.
Páez is less proven, less polished, and further away from being a finished product. The margin for error is smaller, and the spotlight will be brighter from day one.
Still, the upside is undeniable.
If Páez adapts quickly, refines his command, and finds a role where his strengths can shine, this move could look like another masterstroke for the organization.
If not, it will serve as a reminder of just how difficult the leap from High-A to the majors can be.
Either way, one thing is certain.
On a roster filled with developing talent, no player will be under a more interesting microscope in 2026 than Jedixson Páez — the White Sox’s boldest bet yet.
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