The Chicago White Sox pulled the trigger on a bizarre trade Tuesday, sending right-hander Ben Peoples to the Texas Rangers for catcher Ben Hartl.
While both players have yet to reach the big leagues, Peoples appeared to be inching closer to his MLB debut after posting some gaudy strikeout numbers this season. For a White Sox team in need of additional pitching depth, he looked like a legitimate bullpen option capable of contributing in the near future.
The 25-year-old has posted a 2.39 ERA across 37.2 innings at Triple-A Charlotte this season while generating a 30% strikeout rate. His ability to miss bats and limit quality contact has stood out as well, with both his whiff rate and hard-hit rate ranking among the best in the International League. Opponents have managed just a .163 expected batting average against him.
The only thing standing between Peoples and the big leagues at this point appears to be his command. His 13% walk rate is a bit of an eyesore and could make it difficult to trust him out of the bullpen, especially for a White Sox team with legitimate playoff aspirations and little margin for self-inflicted mistakes.
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While those concerns are legitimate, throwing him away for a 23-year-old catcher who has yet to play a game above High-A is a bit of a head-scratcher. If the White Sox were intent on moving him, why not at least explore packaging him in a deal for pitching help or another more immediate roster need?
For starters, the White Sox already have plenty of catching depth within the organization. Both Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero remain projected as the club’s long-term options behind the plate, and that outlook has not changed despite Quero’s offensive struggles this season.
That doesn’t even account for Drew Romo, who still has minor league options remaining, and Korey Lee, who was recently named the International Leagues Player of the Week. The White Sox top 30 ranked prospects by MLB Pipeline also include a pair of catchers, 19-year-old Landon Hodge and 17-year old Fernando Graterol.
Hartl does have a connection within the White Sox organization. In 2023, he was teammates with Sam Antonacci at Heartland Community College, and like Antonacci, also hails from Springfield, Illinois.
But across three minor league seasons, he has yet to establish himself as a consistent offensive threat at the position, posting a .248/.393/.323 slash line with five home runs and 63 RBIs. In 130 plate appearances in High-A this season, he is posting a .686 OPS. However, Hartl does appear to have a knack for getting on base, with a 13% walk rate this season.
Still, the overall profile raises questions about what the White Sox are truly gaining in return for a pitcher who was trending toward the majors.
