The Chicago White Sox have been searching for bullpen help this offseason after a disastrous stretch. As their future brightens on the offensive side, the need for impact relief arms grows. Once again, Chicago has taken a flier on someone coming from Japan.
The White Sox have signed reliever Austin Voth to a minor league contract as a non-roster invitee, according to Sox Machine’s James Fegan.
Voth is now back in the states, after a season with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball league.
With the Marines, he pitched to a 3.96 ERA in 125 innings, with 92 strikeouts.
What Does Voth Bring to the Chicago White Sox?
The Washington Nationals selected Voth in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB Draft. As is often the case with players drafted in the early rounds, he was tried out as a starter at first.
From 2018 to 2020, he was mostly a starter, pitching to a 6.57 ERA in 2018, a 3.30 ERA in nine games in 2019, and a 6.34 ERA in 2020.
After the 2020 season, Washington moved Voth to the bullpen. In 2021, he pitched to a 5.34 ERA.
He started 2022 with an egregiously awful 10.38 ERA in 18.2 innings. The Nationals would let Voth go, only for him to be picked up by the Baltimore Orioles.
However, something seemed to click with the Orioles. He was used mostly as a starter, pitching to a 3.04 ERA in 22 games with Baltimore.
Unfortunately, he regressed in 2023, causing his ERA to balloon to 5.19 in 25 games.
The Seattle Mariners would sign him in 2024. During 2024, Voth enjoyed his best season to date. In 68 games, Voth pitched to a 3.69 ERA, with 61 strikeouts and 18 walks.
However, a 9.95 September ERA caused the Mariners to non-tender Voth, leading to his departure to Japan.
While he doesn’t induce ground balls, nor does he have an overpowering fastball, Voth relies on command and soft contact.
In 2024, he had a 29.5 Hard-Hit rate, according to Baseball Savant. That was in the 99th percentile. His average exit velocity was also low at 85.8 mph (98th percentile).
If he can regain his 2024 form pre-September, this may be a shrewd, low-risk, high-reward signing for Chicago.
Chicago’s Success With Players From Overseas
The White Sox have had a lot of success in reigniting players’ careers from overseas.
Starter Erick Fedde is a prime example of this. After winning the Korean Baseball Organization’s MVP in 2023, despite a mediocre major league career, Fedde went to Chicago and immediately broke out.
In 21 starts with the White Sox, Fedde pitched to a 3.11 ERA with a whopping 4.6 bWAR. Chicago turned Fedde’s success into a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals.
Chicago acquired infielders Miguel Vargas, Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus. While Perez and Albertus have yet to make the majors, Vargas has made an impact with the White Sox.
Chicago also signed pitcher Anthony Kay this offseason after a big transformation in Japan. Kay should have a spot in the rotation in 2026.
While Chicago isn’t guaranteeing Voth a roster spot, he is nonetheless in a great position to make the roster, with much of the Chicago bullpen inexperienced.
Did general manager Chris Getz knock another overseas signing out of the park? That remains to be seen.
White Sox Take Flier on Another NPB Player