Scouting grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 70 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 70
Jimenez has blossomed from the top-rated talent on the 2013 international market to one of the best hitting prospects in recent memory, rivaled in the current Minor League crop only by the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Signed by the Cubs for $2.8 million out of the Dominican Republic, he broke out as the Class A Midwest League's MVP in 2016 and went to the White Sox the next year as the prize in a four-prospect package for Jose Quintana. He has continued to improve since changing organizations and set career highs in all three slash categories (.337/.384/.577) and home runs (22) in 2018 despite battling injuries to his left pectoral and adductor muscles.
Jimenez has some of the best raw power in baseball, which he generates with electric bat speed plus the strength and leverage in his 6-foot-4 frame. His pop has elicited comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton, but he's a better hitter than Stanton. He excels at recognizing pitches and making adjustments, allowing him to repeatedly barrel the ball with high exit velocities to all fields.
The White Sox are banking on Jimenez's offensive prowess making him a superstar -- before he made his big league debut, they gave him a six-year contract worth $43 million with two option years that could push the total value to $75 million -- but he won't provide a lot of value outside the batter's box. He has slowed down as he has matured physically and is now a below-average runner. He's a subpar outfield defender who's limited to left field with a fringy to average arm. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 1864 336 43 12.8 91.2 9.3 .268 .521 .343 .349 .454 47.9 26.6 6.0 ALL 1864 336 43 12.8 91.2 9.3 .268 .521 .343 .349 .454 47.9 26.6 6.0 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Rankings Home Runs Year HR Rank 2019 31 24th in AL Slugging Percentage Year SLG Rank 2019 .513 24th in AL Transactions Team Date Transaction 11/26/2019 OF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Gigantes del Cibao. 07/28/2019 Chicago White Sox activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the 10-day injured list. 07/17/2019 Chicago White Sox placed LF Eloy Jimenez on the 10-day injured list. Right ulnar nerve contusion. 05/20/2019 Chicago White Sox activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the 10-day injured list. 05/14/2019 Chicago White Sox sent LF Eloy Jimenez on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Knights. 04/28/2019 Chicago White Sox placed LF Eloy Jimenez on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 27, 2019. High right ankle sprain. 04/26/2019 Chicago White Sox activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the bereavement list. 04/22/2019 Chicago White Sox placed LF Eloy Jimenez on the bereavement list. 03/27/2019 Chicago White Sox recalled LF Eloy Jimenez from Charlotte Knights. 03/12/2019 Chicago White Sox optioned LF Eloy Jimenez to Charlotte Knights. 11/26/2018 OF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Gigantes del Cibao. 10/01/2018 Chicago White Sox recalled Eloy Jimenez from Charlotte Knights. 07/15/2018 Charlotte Knights activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the 7-day disabled list. 07/02/2018 Charlotte Knights placed RF Eloy Jimenez on the 7-day disabled list. 06/21/2018 RF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Charlotte Knights from Birmingham Barons. 04/19/2018 Birmingham Barons activated RF Eloy Jimenez from the 7-day disabled list. 04/05/2018 Birmingham Barons placed RF Eloy Jimenez on the 7-day disabled list. 03/14/2018 Chicago White Sox optioned RF Eloy Jimenez to Birmingham Barons. 03/13/2018 Chicago White Sox optioned RF Eloy Jimenez to Birmingham Barons. 11/20/2017 Chicago White Sox selected the contract of Eloy Jimenez from Birmingham Barons. 10/14/2017 OF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Gigantes del Cibao. 08/15/2017 RF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Birmingham Barons from Winston-Salem Dash. 07/13/2017 Chicago White Sox traded LHP Jose Quintana to Chicago Cubs for 2B Bryant Flete, RHP Dylan Cease, LF Eloy Jimenez and 1B Matt Rose. 07/13/2017 LF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Winston-Salem Dash. 07/12/2017 Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the temporarily inactive list. 07/08/2017 Myrtle Beach Pelicans placed LF Eloy Jimenez on the temporarily inactive list. 05/13/2017 Myrtle Beach Pelicans activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the 7-day disabled list. 01/27/2017 Chicago Cubs invited non-roster OF Eloy Jimenez to spring training. 09/11/2016 LF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from South Bend Cubs. 07/13/2016 South Bend Cubs activated LF Eloy Jimenez from the temporarily inactive list. 07/09/2016 South Bend Cubs placed OF Eloy Jimenez on the temporarily inactive list. 04/05/2016 OF Eloy Jimenez assigned to South Bend Cubs from Eugene Emeralds. 03/04/2016 OF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Chicago Cubs. 06/17/2015 RF Eloy Jimenez assigned to Eugene Emeralds from AZL Cubs. 05/21/2014 RF Eloy Jimenez assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs. 02/21/2014 OF Eloy Jimenez assigned to DSL Cubs. 08/01/2013 Chicago Cubs signed free agent OF Eloy Jimenez to a minor league contract.
