Another arm has been added to the organization.
Right-handed pitcher Matt Pobereyko and the White Sox have reportedly agreed to terms on a minor league contract, per agent Nello Gamberdino. Though the transaction has not yet been picked up by MLB.com, the hurler confirmed the news on his personal social media.
Pobereyko, 30, entered the 2021 season as a free agent before landing with the Miami Marlins on July 20th. With their Double-A affiliate, the Kentucky Wesleyan product went 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA (2 ER/15.1 IP), 21 strikeouts, six walks, .173 opponent average, and 0.98 in 12 appearances. Nothing else really came of the deal, as the reliever elected free agency and hit the open market on November 7th.
Prior to his Marlins’ gig, Pobereyko had not appeared in an affiliated minor league game since September 2018. During the gap, he threw in the Dominican Winter Leagues, American Association, and even served as a pitching coach for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen. So, what should White Sox fans make of this signing? The answer is rather simple and remains the same for the majority of these MiLB deals: depth.
Pobereyko has never reached the major leagues, and there’s a good chance it doesn’t happen by the end of his tenure with the Sox either. That aside, the organization’s need for pitchers at the minor league level is still something that needs addressing and this deal does just that. Plus, Pobereyko likely turned enough heads with his small sample size last season where the club decided that, at the very least, they’d like to see what else he can bring to the table.
While major league contributions appear to be a long-shot, we’ll gladly root for the underdog and hope he can finally achieve his dream of making it to the big leagues.
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