The Giants designated Tyler Fitzgerald for assignment, creating a low-risk opportunity for the White Sox to add speed, versatility, and untapped offensive upside to their roster.
The front office spent an entire offseason trying to find the right mix of players for this 2026 Chicago White Sox team. But even now that the regular season has begun, there’s no place for complacency in baseball. The White Sox need to remain diligent and explore every possible opportunity to improve the talent level in the organization.
I believe one of those opportunities just became available, thanks to the San Francisco Giants.
On Monday, the Giants designated infielder Tyler Fitzgerald for assignment. Fitzgerald is a 28-year-old former fourth-round pick out of the University of Louisville with solid MLB production and plenty of defensive versatility.
In 2024, he appeared in 96 games for the Giants, hitting 19 doubles with 15 home runs and 17 stolen bases, good for an .831 OPS. He struggled more in 2025, with his offensive numbers falling off significantly. In 72 games, Fitzgerald posted a .606 OPS. Even then, he ranked in the 97th percentile in Major League Baseball in sprint speed and continued to provide strong defense, with the ability to play second base, shortstop, or even center field.
Fitzgerald would be a great platoon option for the White Sox. In 203 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching, he has an .841 OPS.
The case for the White Sox to claim Fitzgerald is pretty straightforward. He brings many of the same traits as Derek Hill, but he’s younger and offers more offensive upside. Despite already having a heavily right-handed bench, the White Sox currently carry Hill for his baserunning ability and defensive prowess. But Hill, now 30, has never shown the same level of offensive potential Fitzgerald has flashed at the MLB level.
Hill’s career high in extra-base hits is 13, which came in 2024. Fitzgerald had 36 that same season and is two years younger, with more team control remaining.
If the White Sox were to bring in Fitzgerald and replace someone like Hill on the roster, they would gain another strong defensive option in the infield while allowing Luisangel Acuña to remain more focused on developing as an outfielder. It wouldn’t change the handedness of the bench, but it would still give Chicago a quality late-game pinch runner with the versatility to handle the outfield if needed.
Chris Getz and the White Sox front office have made it clear this offseason that they are targeting players they can provide with “runway.” When a player with talent gets squeezed out by an organization with more depth, it creates an opportunity for the White Sox to let their player development staff go to work and potentially uncover a diamond in the rough.
That’s why Everson Pereira is on the roster. That’s why Tristan Peters is on the roster. That’s why Luisangel Acuña is on the roster. And the same philosophy applies to several others currently in the minor leagues within the organization.
The Giants became more aggressive this offseason, adding players like Luis Arraez and Harrison Bader to an already established core. As Fitzgerald got squeezed out by players like Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss, there’s a good chance another team could make better use of his skill set and provide more consistent playing time.
If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But this feels like a worthwhile swing for the White Sox. I’d view Fitzgerald as a clear upgrade over Derek Hill.