Former Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd compares Eloy with Hanley Ramirez.

Eloy's father, Luis, played and coached basketball in the Dominican Republic, so Jimenez grew up around athletes and some degree of fame. He was ready for the spotlight when his baseball career took off as an amateur and he ranked as the top talent in the 2013 international signing class. 

Jimenez, who also does karate, earning a green belt, started playing baseball at age 9. He also competed in local basketball tournaments. He also played in organized youth baseball leagues, including Cristian Pimentel’s youth league. In 2008, Jimenez traveled to Aberdeen, Md., to play in the Cal Ripken World Series.

Jimenez also played in the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program, where in August 2012 he traveled to Miami to help the Dominican Republic win its third straight RBI junior division World Series title.

"It's my dream to be a Major League baseball player, but I don't want to just get there," Jimenez told MLB.com. "I want to be one of the best players in the game and to ever come from the Dominican Republic."

 Jimenez is considered an advanced hitter with quick hands who should hit for average. He projects as a corner outfielder.

Like many international teens his age, Jimenez could use more in-game experience, but scouts rave about his makeup.

He was considered the crown jewel of the 2013-2014 international signing period and has impressed scouts with his intelligence, plus-speed, and gap-to-gap power. He's considered a five-tool player.

"It's my dream to be a Major League baseball player, but I don't want to just get there," Jimenez said. "I want to be one of the best players in the game and to ever come from the Dominican Republic."

At 14, Eloy caught the eye of trainer/agent Amauris Nina during a youth league game and started training with him.

Jimenez is intelligent, has a good personality, has very good work habits. He was raised properly. And Eloy has shown a strong desire to learn English—and he is already rather accomplished in that. He is very intelligent.

Jimenez was one of the fortunate kids in the Dominican, and he had a glove to use while growing up. He has many friends who had to cut off milk cartons, because that was all that was available.

"Thank God I had a great family that provided for me," Jimenez said. "With the help and grace of God, hopefully, in the future, I can eliminate some of that [poverty] in the Dominican."

In 2014, the Baseball America Prospect Handbook rated Jimenez as the 16th-best prospect in the Cubs organization. He was at #20 before 2015 spring camps opened. But he was moved all the way to 9th-best prospect in the Cubs' system in the winter before 2016 spring training.

And in 2017, Eloy was the #1 prospect in the Cubs organization. And, after being dealt to the White Sox, he was their #1 in both 2018 and 2019.

Playing in the Arizona Fall League after the 2016 season, Eloy posted a slash line of .255/.323/.491 with three home runs.

In 2017, Jimenez represented the Cubs in the All-Star Futures game.

"In His Own Words," with Eloy Jimenez:  Chicago is a city of lots of love. During my visit here, I was able to go into the clubhouse and meet with a few of the guys like Yoan Moncada and Carson Fulmer. Carson gave me a nice welcome and really made me feel like I was a part of the current roster. Everyone on the team and in the clubhouse treated me very well.

I truly believe that I could be playing here right now, but God's timing is perfect. If I work hard every day, try to do my best and constantly learn about the game, I will put myself in the best position to show the people who make the decision that I can contribute here. In my mind, I am ready, but I have to wait.

I grew up playing basketball before starting to play baseball 10 years ago. My first-ever at-bat, I was hit by a pitch in the head. After that first at-bat, my dad told me not to give up and to keep trying, and I didn't give up. My second at-bat was a home run.

I have worked very hard since then and have been able to have some great moments in my career. My favorite moment so far was my first Futures Game. Before the game, I talked to one of my friends, and he said that it would be cool if I hit a home run in the game, and in my last at-bat, I did. That was a pretty cool moment for me.

When I found out that I was traded, I was surprised; it was a weird moment for me. But I know in my mind that I can't control that. All I can control is playing hard no matter what uniform I have on. The night that I was traded, I had to play against my former team. I don't want to say it was sad, but it was a strange feeling. Once the game started, I had to focus and I was all business.

Every time that I step on the field, I want to have fun. My personality is to have fun, but at the same time I don't want to get tense. I project confidence; it's just one of those things that just happens. Some days, I wake up and feel good and say that I am going to hit a home run in that game. I have that kind of confidence in myself and in my game. It's not just with home runs though, it's with singles, doubles and triples. I feel good about my game when I am on the field.

I have a routine that I do every day. I believe in my routine, and that's why I work hard every day. You have to have a plan going into each day and have a purpose for that day. That is the way that I like to work and prepare myself for each game.

I work so hard because I want to be the best player every time that I step onto the field. I don't want to be just another player, I want to be the best.  (Jimenez - mlb.com - 9/11/17)

Eloy works at the game harder than most players. One manager recalled seeing Jimenez strike out multiple times during a game, then saw him on the field early the next day for tracking drills.

Nov 21, 2017: Fresh off a strong performance in the Dominican Winter League and being added to the White Sox's 40-man roster, top prospect Eloy Jimenez said he's feeling confident and believes he's close to reaching the Majors. Jimenez, ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect by MLBPipeline.com, spoke with reporters in a conference call from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, discussing a wide range of topics about his play and expectations for the coming season.

Jimenez, acquired in the trade that sent lefty Jose Quintana to the Cubs, hit a combined .312/.379/.568 with 19 homers and 65 RBIs in 89 games between Class A Advanced and Double-A last year. The 20-year-old outfielder followed that up by batting .368 with four homers and 21 RBIs for Gigantes del Cibao in 19 games in the Dominican Winter League.

"It was great," Jimenez said through translator Billy Russo. "It was something indescribable for me. I visualized that experience before the season started, but it was unbelievable. I faced really good pitchers. They were of really good quality and pitched in the U.S., Mexico and Japan. It was a really good experience for me. I enjoyed it.

"They all told me that playing in the Majors is a very unique experience," Eloy said. "You have to take advantage of it and work hard. And work even harder than before. But you have to play your game and be yourself and not put pressure on yourself."

Jimenez, a career .302/.350/.498 hitter in 300 games in the Minors, said he's looking to impress White Sox brass this Spring Training, but he acknowledged it's ultimately up to the front office on when he'll get called up to make his debut.

"I can't tell you exactly what will happen," Jimenez said. "But I'm very positive and have confidence in myself in what I can do. I'm going to do my best. I feel very confident I can play in the Majors whenever the team makes that decision with me. But for now, all I can do is work hard and do what I need to do to force the issue for the team to put me in the Major Leagues.

"What can I say? I feel very proud to hear that from the GM. David Ortiz is one of the biggest players from my country," Jimenez said. "He's a very happy person and played with a focus with what he had to do. I'm also a very happy person and know what I have to do to get better. But I feel very humble when you have your name mentioned with a guy who is probably going into the Hall of Fame." (R Bollinger - MLB.com - Nov 21, 2017)

October 2018: Jimenez was named the MLB Pipeline Player of the Year for the White Sox.

Eleven years ago, a young boy named Eloy Jimenez visited the United States for the very first time.

Playing on a traveling baseball team in Santo Domingo, he boarded a plane with his teammates from the Dominican Republic and headed to a faraway city almost 2,000 miles to the north.

The destination was Chicago.

Flying over the vast metropolis, the 11-year-old Jimenez gazed out the airplane window, surveyed the massive skyline and something hit him.

He saw his future.

“One day I’m going to be here. That was the first thing in my mind. I don’t know why I think that, but it was one of my dreams,” Jimenez said in an interview on the White Sox Talk Podcast.

Most kids his age might see a city that big and be frightened by the enormity of it. Not Eloy.

“It was one of my dreams to come to Chicago because Sammy Sosa played in Chicago. Jim Thome and Frank Thomas played in Chicago,” Jimenez explained.

When Jimenez was 14, he watched Thome hit his 600th career home run on television. As Thome rounded the bases for that milestone homer, Jimenez envisioned another player doing the same in the future.

“I remember I was a little kid, and I said, ‘Wow, that’s special for him,’” Jimenez recalled. “I said, ‘One day it could be special for me, too.‘’’

Soon after the White Sox acquired Jimenez from the Cubs in 2017, one of the first White Sox representatives Jimenez spoke to was Thome. It’s a conversation Jimenez remembers vividly.

“He said, ‘It’s nice to meet you, I’m Jim Thome,’” Jimenez recalled. “I said, ‘I know who you are. I’m Eloy Jimenez.’”

Then Thome said something to Jimenez that still leaves the White Sox prospect floored more than two years later.

“Thome said, ‘I know who you are.’ I said, ‘You know who I am?’ Someone from the Hall of Fame tells me 'I know who you are,' and I don’t even play in the big leagues? That was special for me.” (Chuck Garfien-Sports Chicago-Feb. 17, 2019)

With Jimenez knocking on the door to the Majors, special times could be coming soon for the White Sox. Walk inside their spring training clubhouse and you will see three lockers right in a row: Jimenez, Micker Adolfo and Luis Basabe.

The three outfield prospects are often inseparable. They not only play baseball together, they eat and play video games as a trio away from the facility.

They also share the same dream.

“We talk hitting and defense, but most importantly we talk about how it’s going to be when we win the World Series. That’s most of the time what we talk about,” Jimenez said.

How often do they talk about it?

“Pretty much every day. We are excited to see it, and we can’t wait.”

Jimenez speaks with so much confidence, it’s as if he’s lived his life before. He’s just repeating it for a second time for old times’ sake.

But there has been struggle in his life, even in baseball.

The first time Jimenez ever played the game, at 9 years old, he stepped to the plate for his very first at-bat — and got smacked in the head by a wayward pitch.

“I was out of the game. When I got home, I told my dad, 'I don’t want to play anymore,'” Jimenez said.

Just like that, the baseball career of Eloy Jimenez could have ended after one at-bat. Basically one pitch. It didn’t seem like a big loss to Jimenez. His real love at the time was basketball.

But a few weeks later, his dad circled back on the idea of giving baseball another try.

“Why are you going to quit after just one at-bat?” father asked son. “Why don’t you try again?”

Jimenez begrudgingly returned to the baseball field, mainly to please his dad. He grabbed a bat, stepped back in the box, stared at the pitcher’s mound and to his surprise, fate intervened.

Boom! Jimenez smashed a home run about 200 feet over the left-field fence.

How did it feel? "Amazing,” Jimenez said with a big smile. “From that point on, I was in” when it came to baseball. (Chuck Garfien-Sports Chicago-Feb. 17, 2019)

He would eventually become one of the top young players in the Dominican Republic. By 2013, he was considered “the crown jewel” of that year’s international class. Jimenez signed a $2.8 million contract with the Cubs as a 16-year-old. Scouts believed he was the total package.

But while playing rookie ball in the Cubs organization in 2014, Jimenez admits something today that few people have ever known: He thought about quitting the game.

“The first year when I came to the United States, I was 17 years old. I was away from my family. I didn’t speak the language. It was really hard. I needed to wait for somebody to translate so I could go eat. It was hard because I wasn’t doing good in the season and I was little bit frustrated with that,” he explained.

Playing on a team featuring top Cubs prospects like Gleyber Torres and Jorge Soler, Jimenez went through a slump that brought him to his knees. “I was 0-for-40.”

Think about that. Eloy Jimenez 0-for-40. Basically 10 straight games without a hit.

I was like, ‘I don’t want to play anymore.’” Jimenez said. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the light that burns so brightly inside him to flicker back to life.

“The next day I said, 'Why did I say that? Playing baseball is something you’re dreaming about. That’s why you play. That’s why you signed. Why do you say that you don’t want to play anymore?' I don’t think that is good. I felt that, too.”

That season in 42 games, Jimenez hit just .227/.268/.367 with three home runs in 164 plate appearances.

“I think that was the year that was the worst of my career,” he said.

Jump ahead five years, Jimenez is coming off his very best year. In 108 games with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, he combined to hit .337/.384/.577 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Not getting called up to the majors last September was “disappointing,” but Jimenez accepted the White Sox decision to hold him back until this season.

“There was nothing I could do about it. There was nothing I could control. I just go to the field and can control what I can do,” he said.

After the season, Jimenez returned to the Dominican Republic, where he received a special visitor at his home: White Sox general manager Rick Hahn.

“It was really special. I appreciated it. He take his time to come to the D.R. and talk to me and my family,” Jimenez said of Hahn’s visit.

“He just tell us, 'Don’t worry. Just be ready for the moment because it’s going to be soon.' And I said, 'OK, no problem.'”

When he gets to the Majors, how good does Jimenez think he’ll be? “I think I’m going to be good in my mind all the time,” he said with conviction.

Where did he get such confidence in himself? “I’m born with it. With everything I’ve done. I think that’s special for me.”

Soon the city of Chicago will be able to see this budding star’s poise, spirit, fearlessness and mile-wide smile firsthand when Jimenez dons a White Sox uniform for his Major League debut. 

“I’m just going to let it happen,” Jimenez said. “When it happens and I get the call, I’m going to be excited.” (Chuck Garfien-Sports Chicago-Feb. 17, 2019)

2019 Spring Training Q&A

MLB.com: Growing up, you played basketball. Did you have a favorite team or player?

Jimenez: Kobe Bryant was my favorite player, and the Lakers are my favorite team.

MLB.com: Why did you like Kobe Bryant?

Jimenez: I like Kobe because he was one of the best players. His attitude, I like it. When I was a kid, that was the player I was looking to be like. He was special for me.

MLB.com: Were you a pretty good basketball player?

Jimenez: I was, yeah, but not anymore. I stay away from basketball now.

MLB.com: You’ve played in both the Cubs and White Sox organizations at such a young age. Does that dynamic seem kind of strange to you?

Jimenez: The first year, it was weird. But now I feel normal. Being part of the Cubs, it was good. But to be part of the White Sox, it’s good, too. That means a lot to me, the White Sox think about me and get me in the Jose Quintana trade. I feel proud.

MLB.com: Is it tough to be traded when you are young, or does it feel good another team wants you?

Jimenez: It’s really tough. One of the things that was tough I was playing against the White Sox in the series [with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach in 2017] and I got traded to the other dugout [for Class A Advanced Winston-Salem].

MLB.com: Your brother, Enoy, signed with the organization. He is four years younger than Eloy.

Jimenez: His real name is Cesar. His nickname is Enoy. It’s really good. I feel proud of him. The way he works, the way he wants to get signed for an organization, I feel really proud. I know he’s going to do good things.

MLB.com: Was it surprising when the White Sox signed him?

Jimenez: It was a little bit surprising. There are not too many guys that can sign on the same team. I feel really good and I feel really proud.

MLB.com: Your mom is a police officer and your dad is a teacher. Who was the disciplinarian of the family?

Jimenez: She’s really tough, but my dad is more tough.

MLB.com: Did they have specific rules for you growing up?

Jimenez: I needed to be home before 7:00 p.m. I needed to do my homework before night. I needed to be in bed before 10:30 or 11:00. That was pretty much the rules. If you don’t do it, it’s not going to be OK.

MLB.com: That’s not the rules now?

Jimenez: That was when I was younger. Now, I need to be at home early. I need to work every single day. And they don’t care if I’m Eloy Jimenez in the USA. It doesn’t matter for them. They always try to educate me and my brother, like be humble guys and be disciplined. (His parents are in Arizona right now. He spends time after the games with them.)

MLB.com: What’s the story behind your jersey No. 74?

Jimenez: I was playing winter ball. I used 74 and did good things with it. I said that I wanted to create my own number. Twenty-seven is my favorite number, it's my birthday (Nov. 27). But everybody has it. If I create my own number, people are going to remember me as 74.

MLB.com: What’s the greatest baseball moment you’ve had so far?

Jimenez: I’m never going to forget the 2016 Futures Game in San Diego. It was very special for me because the people didn’t know me before the Futures Game. After the game, they knew me.

MLB.com: What’s the strangest or funniest moment you’ve had so far in baseball?

Jimenez: I hit an inside-the-park home run when I was playing in the Arizona Fall League for the Cubs. I was surprised by it because it was a long time running the bases. It was tiring.

MLB.com: What is your goal with the White Sox?

Jimenez: Just get to the Majors first. After, being a leader for the younger guys and be an example. And win a couple of World Series.

MLB.com: You are always so upbeat. How do you keep that demeanor all the time?

Jimenez: My family. If I talk to my family and I know they are good, I’m always happy. (Scott Merkin - MLB.com)

When Eloy was a kid, he was very hyper. It was that hyperactivity that led Jimenez to sports.  It was that hyperactivity that led Jimenez to sports and eventually pushed him to a news conference at Camelback Ranch announcing a six-year, $43 million deal with the White Sox. 

The information concerning Jimenez’s youth came from Luis, his father, who attended the news conference along with the top prospect's mother, Adelaida and brother, Cesar “Enoy,” who also is player within the White Sox organization.

“We went to a psychologist, and they said, 'Hey, you need to put him in to play some sports,’” said Luis, through interpreter Billy Russo. “At age 9 or 10 we put him to play some sports. It was a good thing for him because he could drain all that energy, and the rest you've been able to see.”

Jimenez has talked quite a bit about the highly positive influence provided by his family and the closeness he feels with them. That feeling is very mutual, with Luis referring to Eloy as not just a son, but a friend.

“We're able to talk with him about everything, not just in the good moments but the bad moments when people really need help,” Luis said. “We're able to communicate and talk about those issues, those struggles or tough moments. We're always together. We're supporting him no matter what.

“He's a nice kid and what matters most for us is we have that relationship. It's more like a friendship than a son, because we have that trust and that's what matters for us and we feel really proud. It's an honor for us to have a son like him and we want to thank God for that.”

They will all be in attendance for his first game, most likely on March 28 in Kansas City, and plan to follow their son every step of the way. 

“Just to see him reach his dream,” Luis said. “It won't be just to see him in person but watching him through the TV is going to be very special, something that will have a huge impact on us.”

“Now that the contract negotiation is done and I know that I’m going to fulfill my dream of playing in the big leagues, I don’t have any distractions on my mind,” Jimenez said. “People are going to really see what I’m capable of doing because the only thing I have on my mind is to play baseball like I know I can do it. Today’s game was just an example.

“During the game, I felt good, my swing was good. I was seeing the ball very good and I hit it hard. Today was a good day on and off the field. One of the best days that someone can have.”

Young teammates of Jimenez, such as Yoan Moncada or Reynaldo Lopez, as a few examples, could be candidates for similar long-term deals with the White Sox.

“We’re going to continue down this path,” White Sox GM Rick Hahn said. “This is just one element of what we are trying to put together, but being able to create economic flexibility and extend control are important parts of extending out this championship window once it arrives. We’ll continue to be on the lookout for similar types of opportunities.” (S Merkin - MLB.com - March 23, 2019)

March 26, 2019: Eloy will break camp with the big league club as expected and is on track to start in left field on Opening Day against the Royals in Kansas City. Their status was made official when the White Sox announced their 25-man roster following a 7-1 victory against the D-backs at Chase Field. 

“It’s the dream that all players want,” Jimenez said. “It’s amazing. I feel really proud of the work I have done. It’s really amazing when you are one step closer to the Majors. When I signed I said, ‘It’s not going to be too long,’ and it wasn’t.”

April 22-26, 2019: Eloy was on the bereavement list. White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Eloy called him late last night to give him the news about his grandmother, who lived in Jimenez’s native Dominican Republic.

Jimenez will travel there this week. Renteria expects he’ll return for the White Sox home series this weekend against the Tigers.  “He’s close to his grandmother,” Renteria said of the trip. “It’s the right thing for him to do.” (Quillen - mlb.com)

May 12, 2019: Jimenez’s mother, Adalaida, has preached over the years how her son “needs to be the No. 1 always.” So, when he gets into an occasional slump, she reminds Jimenez to know who he is, keep playing hard and work like he is the best.

She also is a very proud mother who was present when Jimenez signed his six-year, $43 million contract with the White Sox during Spring Training in Arizona. And she was in the stands this season at his first Major League game in Kansas City. But even when she’s not in attendance, her spirit and love shine through.

“It was in the Futures Game, 2016,” Jimenez said. “She was watching the game at home on TV and my brother took a video of her, and when I hit a home run, she started crying and screaming. When I saw that, I started crying, too.”

Jimenez also has paid special tribute to his mom on the field, pointing out one moment in particular when he was part of the Cubs organization.

“When it was Mother’s Day in the Dominican in 2016, that day we played against Toronto in Single-A,” Jimenez recalled. “Before that game, I told her, ‘Mom, I’m going to hit a home run for you.’ In that game, I hit a walk-off homer. She started crying again.” (S Merkin - MLB.com - May 12, 2019)

2019 season:  Jiménez might not be voted the Rookie of the Year, but the White Sox left fielder doesn’t need an award to validate what was one of the more impressive debuts with the bat in franchise history.

“Fantastic rookie season,” said White Sox manager Rick Renteria. “There are a lot of rookies across the Major Leagues right now that are exploding onto the scene and doing great things. He's one of them.”

“I don't try to think about that too much,” said Jiménez in response. “I just try to enjoy what I do and go out and play hard.”

Jiménez launched 31 home runs to go with his 79 RBIs, 69 runs scored and .828 OPS. He topped all AL rookies in homers and RBIs, and his single-season homer total trails only José Abreu (36, 2014) and Ron Kittle (35, 1983) for the franchise’s rookie record. The only thing seemingly greater than Jiménez’s limitless potential is the endless enjoyment he features playing the game. Check out his broad smile and special “Hi mom!” shout-outs during most of his pre or postgame television interviews as examples.

What went right in 2019? 

As members of the White Sox front office and coaching staff pointed out, opposing pitchers attacked Jiménez like he was a 10-year veteran from the first game of the season. Their game plan frequently caused him to expand the strike zone, but once he found a more consistent approach in a stretch of at-bats, Jiménez was able to hit his pitch instead of pitchers’ pitches more often.

“Be patient. It’s the biggest part for me,” Jiménez said. “Be patient at the plate and just keep working hard.”

His strong September performance provided a glimpse of what could be to come, as Jiménez won AL Rookie of the Month honors after slashing .340/.383/.710 with nine home runs, eight doubles and 25 RBIs. He tied for the AL lead in RBIs during the month and ranked among its leaders in doubles (T-4th), homers (T-4th), slugging percentage (5th), OPS (7th, 1.093), runs scored (T-7th) and average (10th).

What went wrong in 2019? 

He was on the injured list from April 27 to May 19 with a high right ankle sprain after crashing into the left-field wall chasing a Greyson Greiner homer and was later out of action from July 16 to 27 with a right ulnar nerve contusion. Those extended absences hampered Jiménez finding a consistent flow. There were times defensively where Jiménez looked like a designated hitter playing left field, but to his credit, he worked diligently all season with first-base coach Daryl Boston to make noticeable improvement.

“He worked extremely hard on both sides of the ball to try to put himself in a good position,” Renteria said. “Still more work to be done, but he certainly has put himself in a position where he can help us win ballgames.”

Best moment in 2019?

There was a time, as a young Cubs prospect, when Jiménez dreamed of playing Major League Baseball at Wrigley Field. He did so on June 18, but against the team who first signed him and eventually traded him across town as part of the four-player return for José Quintana. And in the ninth inning, with the game tied at one, Jimenez connected for a two-run, game-winning blast off Pedro Strop on a 1-0 fastball. Jimenez’s drive carried to the back of the left-field bleachers, even though he broke his bat upon contact. (Scott Merkin - MLB.com- Oct. 24, 2019)

In 2019, Jiménez finished fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, with Houston DH Yordan Alvarez receiving all 30 first-place votes in capturing the honor. 

May 16, 2020: Eloy has 40-home run power potential matched by an outgoing personality at the same All-Star level. The White Sox left fielder is also a very generous and caring young man, as shown by his donation of official team uniforms and funds to Novias Davila, a bridal shop in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, which has shifted its focus to creating face masks for the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Shop owner Tania Hernández received a video message from Jiménez, thanking her team for their commitment to the community and sharing that he also is giving each worker a $500 gift card to Jewel-Osco to help provide support during this time. Each Novias Davila worker received $1,000 total—$500 for their service in creating face masks and a $500 gift card to Jewel-Osco.

Jiménez asked that the face masks be donated to first responders in the Little Village neighborhood.

“I’m Latin, so for me to help other Latins is good, especially when they come from a poor neighborhood or they don’t have the help,” Jiménez said in the video message. “I like to help people and that’s why I decided to help them.

“They put the effort and they try to do good things. I really appreciate that, and I really respect that. That’s why I decide to give them a gift and donate some money because they put the effort. It’s a really good thing and I respect that.”

The Little Village neighborhood and many of its residents have been hit hard by the pandemic. The area had the most confirmed cases of any single zip code in the state as of May 6. (S Merkin - MLB.com - May 16, 2020)

2020 Season: Eloy fashioned the greatest season in history batting with two outs for the White Sox.

No player in MLB history with even 45 plate appearances comes close to the slash line of .438/.453/.918 that Jimenez posted with two outs in 2020. Eloy had 75 plate appearances in this situation.

The player with better stats who comes the closest to Jimenez here is Rex Hudler, the “Wonder Dog,” who slashed .487/.535/1.000 in 43 plate appearances for the 1994 Angels.

Other Jimenez two-out gems:

–His .918 slugging percentage with two outs is the third-highest in history (minimum 44 plate appearances) behind only Gary Sanchez’s .986 in 2016 and Jon Nunnally’s .924 in 1997.

Fourth on that list? Ted Williams, who slugged .905 with two outs in 1955.

–His .438 average with two outs is the second-highest among Sox players with at least 31 plate appearances in a season. Only the great Luke Appling was better, hitting .443 in 167 plate appearances in 1936.

–Led the Majors with a 1.371 OPS, .438 average, nine homers, and 32 hits with two outs.  (November 21, 2020 - SOXNERD)

Despite some pretty poor defensive play, Jiménez showed consistent prowess at the plate and locked in a Silver Slugger in the process. The Big Baby has led the majors in home runs to dead center over the last two seasons, and he finished in the Top 25 in HR, RBIs, and OPS across both leagues in 2020. Jiménez has some refining to do at the plate, but he’s seeing pitchers better and has become one of the best long-ball threats in the majors. He takes home a grade he can be proud to show his mom.

In 2020, Eloy Jimenez was better than Bryce Harper.

In nine seasons, Harper already has an MVP, rookie of the year, and six All-Star appearances. He has also amassed over 200 home runs and over 1000 hits. He is still on 27 years old.  The White Sox even tried to acquire him as a free agent in 2019 but he opted to sign with the Phillies. 

Jimenez racked up eight more RBIs, and one more home run. He took home is first (of hopefully many) Silver Slugger Award. What was most impressive about Jimenez season was how he was able to hit for average. He was primarily considered a power hitter his rookie season. He hit 31 home runs, the majority of which were mammoth home runs. However, he struck out 134 times and hit .267. That average is not terrible by any means but for a player of his caliber there was room for improvement. He took a large step in 2020 raising his average to .296.  (Mitchell Kaminski -Feb 11, 2021) 

HOMER FOR BRADY

July 28, 2021: In addition to giving the White Sox the lead, Eloy Jiménez’s three-run home run in the eighth inning of a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium held an extra special meaning.

Jiménez dedicated the blast to Brady Nelson, a 12-year-old who is “kicking cancer’s butt,” according to a tweet from the White Sox. The moment came at the end of Jiménez’s joyous postgame Zoom session. “Brady, that was for you,” Jiménez said. “I told you when I get back and I hit my first homer it was going to be for you. So, for you, my man. Get better.”

With runners on first and third, two outs and the White Sox trailing by one run, Jiménez stepped in against Royals reliever Kyle Zimmer. He was ready to announce his return as one of the game’s best middle-of-the-order power bats after missing the first 99 games of the season due to a ruptured left pectoral tendon. “I was waiting for this moment for almost four months,” said Jiménez, flashing his broad smile. This connection came on a 0-1 slider. It was Jiménez’s first home run this season, his first home run since Sept. 21, 2020, and his third career go-ahead blast in the eighth inning or later, but the first that turned a deficit into a lead.

The Statcast-estimated 459-foot shot into the left-center field fountains also followed an intentional walk to José Abreu called for by Royals manager Mike Matheny, which Jiménez and White Sox manager Tony La Russa both expected. (S Merkin - MLB.com - July 28, 2021)

Aug 17, 2021: It might be difficult to imagine, but there was a time not too long ago when White Sox left fielder Eloy Jiménez was frustrated and depressed.

That period came at the start of the 2021 season, after Jiménez had surgery to repair a torn left pectoral tendon suffered while chasing a home run at Camelback Ranch during the last week of Spring Training. It’s a difficult scenario to imagine, because Jiménez is normally one of the most upbeat individuals in the universe, let alone in the White Sox clubhouse.

But that attitude changed, according to Jiménez, when White Sox interpreter and Spanish Communications Manager Billy Russo came to him with a story about Brady Nelson. After dealing with severe headaches last December, a tumor was discovered on the 12-year-old’s brain. He underwent surgery at Lutheran General Hospital, where post-surgical analysis determined the tumor is a glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive form of cancer that is rare in children. Jiménez taped a message of support for Brady on April 10, telling Brady that his first home run upon return would be dedicated to him. Jiménez followed through with that promise when he connected for a game-winner on July 27 in Kanas City, giving Brady a postgame shout-out.

“I was very surprised,” said Brady concerning Jiménez’s gesture. “I didn’t think he would do something like that. It made me feel special.”

This special feeling wasn’t solely reserved for Brady. Jiménez’s frustration was quickly replaced by a strong desire to return sooner than later from his injury, inspired by this young man from the Northwest side of Chicago.

“I’m just trying to get back to playing, but he’s battling for his life,” Jiménez told MLB.com. “That’s the way he helped me.”

After missing 99 days of the 2021 season with the American League Central leaders, Jiménez returned on July 26.

He entered the August 17 contest with a .328/.344/.689 slash line, to go with six home runs and 20 RBIs in just 16 games.

Needless to say, a very physically fit Jiménez has not missed a step offensively. His cheerful demeanor hasn’t changed, either. Jiménez frequently opens or closes his interviews with “Hi, Mom,” and has started interacting with the Guaranteed Rate Field fans in the outfield by getting them to cheer whenever he raises his arms and stop whenever he puts them down.

There also has been an introduction for Jiménez with the boisterous support system in left field.

“Oh, my god. They have been crazy,” said a smiling Jiménez of his cheering section. “And I like it. I’m here playing the game that I love. If I’m here playing the game that I love, why should I be mad? My family is good. So why should I be mad?” 

The Nelson family was in attendance for the game against Oakland, getting autographs and taking pictures during batting practice. Their group included Brady; his mom, Christina; his dad, Eric; his brother, Jack; his uncle, Bob; and his cousin, Cassidy.

Of course, there was a meeting between Jiménez and Brady, with Jiménez giving the young man a big hug, signing a bat and then posing for photos. With Jiménez promising a dedication to Brady on his first home run back, was he planning on crushing a pair with the young man in attendance this time?

“Maybe. Maybe, yeah,” said Jiménez, thinking of the possibilities. “I will try to do my best.”

Brady plays second base and the outfield and calls himself a “decent” baseball player. He plays other sports with friends, and when asked how he was feeling, Brady responded, “I feel perfectly normal.”

A special video and memory of a promise made after his first home run forged this special bond between Jiménez and Brady. When he first connected in Kansas City, Jiménez admitted to initially thinking about his grandfather, Martin, who died of cancer on Aug. 9, 2017. He was a man who predicted big things for Jiménez’s career and is why he wears red batting gloves to this day. Jiménez also quickly thought about Brady.

“It’s the first time I saw him, and it was great,” Jiménez said of the meeting. “His energy, it’s all positive after all he had been through. I know I can change lives. It’s good to have that experience, because it helped me too.” (S Merkin - MLB.com - Aug 18, 2021)

 2021 Season:  Eloy was shut down from March until late July with a ruptured left pectoral tendon. He played in 55 games after rejoining the Sox but never came close to meeting expectations, including his own.

"I'm not going to say it was bad," Jimenez said. "It wasn't my best, but it wasn't that bad because I was coming back from injury in the time that nobody expected me to get there. For me, that was good.

"But at the end of the season, I felt like it was OK. It could be better."

Jimenez expects to be much better in 2022 and after missing so much time last season, and he's hoping the current work stoppage doesn't shorten the 162-game season.

"Go back to being Eloy," Jimenez said. "Last year, I didn't know who I was. For next season, I'm working hard, really hard right now to get back to where I used to be."

When the White Sox reported to spring training last year, Jimenez was locked in and ready to make a run at a 30 home run/100 RBI season.

During a March 24 Cactus League game against the Athletics, he reached over the fence trying to catch Sean Murphy's home run and sustained a serious injury.

Jimenez never was able to get fully up to speed after returning. He wound up hitting .249/.303/.437 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI and was 5-for-17 with 3 RBI in the playoffs.  (Scot Gregor - Dec. 4, 2021)

Sept. 2022: Jimenez chose to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 WBC.

 2022 Season:   327 PA, .295/.358/.500, 16 HR, 22.0% K, 8.6% BB, 144 wRC+, 1.7 bWAR, 1.7 fWAR

During the prospect-watching years, Jimenez always felt like he was going to be the best pure hitter of the Sox’ crop of young talent, and he may have finally arrived. Injuries and uninspired performance defined him during 2021 and the first half of 2022, but he went on a tear after returning from the IL in early July. Jimenez hit .352/.429/.568 through the unofficial end of the season in that September 20 Cleveland game. He mostly served as a DH (exclusively so after August 26), which raises the question of just how often we’ll see him in the outfield going forward.  (P NOLAN - OCT 13, 2022)

2023 Season: Jimenez played the only 14 games of his career in right field in 2023 and thrived.

Playing the position exclusively between April 18 and July 16, Jimenez slashed .327/.382/.633 with four homers and 14 RBI.

Aside from Romy Gonzalez’s .364 average in four games, Jimenez was the Sox most productive right fielder in 2023. (OCTOBER 20, 2023 SOXNERD) 

Chad Jennings: The seventh bullet point on the Cot’s Contracts entry for Jiménez is this note: “most lucrative contract ever for (a) player with no Major League service.”

Oops.

This is the final guaranteed season of that $43 million deal, and Jiménez was just salary dumped to an Orioles team that doesn’t necessarily need him but probably figures it’s worth discovering whether a change of scenery can do something to unlock the Eloy of old. It’s worth noting here that Jiménez hasn’t homered since May 14 and has just a .642 OPS, but his hard-hit data is really good and his average exit velocity is among the best in the majors. Let’s see how many at-bats the Orioles actually give him. (Jul 30, 2024 - The Athletic) 

It was a shock to everyone when, 15 minutes before the trade deadline, news broke that Jiménez was the one on the move, heading to the Baltimore Orioles.

“I was kind of excited, but a little bit sad because of all the memories that I have with the White Sox and the city. I’ve been there forever,” Jiménez said of the trade. “But I got here, tried to do my best to help the team. I’m happy.

“We have a little bit of everything,” he said of his new team. “A lot of young spirit. That’s good when you have this group of guys with a lot of talent and a lot of energy. That’s what you want when you arrive at a team.”

The 27-year-old is something of a veteran on a team full of young stars. He’s been through the ups and downs in a way that few in that clubhouse have, which can be helpful in a room full of players still experiencing many firsts.

“I think he’s going to be a huge part of this team,” said rookie infielder Livan Soto. “And for me, he’s already been a huge help. Giving me advice. I know he’s done that for other guys as well.”

But in many ways, this two-month stint with the Orioles is an opportunity for Jiménez to prove himself to a sport that will be rightfully skeptical of his long-term value. With free agency likely around the corner, he needs to show he still wields the kind of power bat that bashed 31 home runs in his rookie season of 2019.

His start with the Orioles has been solid — batting .295 with a .667 OPS, showing contact ability but not yet power. Still, it’s certainly a step up from his .240 average in 65 games with the White Sox this year. Just not enough to declare the trade, or his turnaround, a success. Yet. 

“I think he’s done a good job,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We felt like we needed help against left-handed pitching, and hopefully Eloy could provide that. … His presence in the batter’s box is the most important thing. He’s hit and he’s hit for power. He’s working on that right now, and getting his legs underneath him.” “This is a joyous day,” NBC White Sox analyst Ryan McGuffey said on the team-owned network’s trade-deadline special. “That guy is as catastrophic of a failure as any player that’s come through the rebuild. I can’t believe a team would take him on.” 

The comment was cruel. But as the White Sox flirt with the worst season in MLB history, it spoke to the fracture between Jiménez and the city he’d long called home.

“At the end of the day, I know what I’m doing,” Jiménez said. “I know I work my ass off every single day. I know I tried to improve my body every single day. I don’t feel good when I’m injured, everyone knows that. But at the end of the day, people are going to talk anyway. I just tried to not pay attention to that.” 

Baltimore, on the other hand, offers a full 180 on vibes. And Jiménez feels the difference.

“Everybody tries to do something here, and tries to help you in many ways,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that the guys in a White Sox uniform aren’t trying to help. But it’s just that here, it feels different.”

“You see the energy he brings every single day,” Hyde said. “A lot of us have known him for a long time. Sometimes you get out of a situation, get into a winning atmosphere, a winning club. Hopefully that gives a guy a boost. I think it’s been helpful.” “I’ve been happy with the performance, but I know I have more in me,” Jiménez said. “This is a process. … I consider myself a hitter, but at the same time, a power hitter too.” (Blum - Aug 30, 2024 - The Athletic)

2024 Season: Eloy didn't have a good season to say the least. The former top prospect with the Chicago Cubs, has batted .238/.289/.336, with 6 home runs and 23 RBI in 98 games and 324 AB. Specifically with Baltimore, he batted .232/.270/.316 with a home run and 7 RBI in 33 games and 95 AB. That performance has been worth an abysmal -0.7 WAR for the season. (Neil Raymond - Oct. 5, 2024)



TRANSACTIONS

July 3, 2013: Jimenez was signed by the Cubs, out of the D.R., to a $2.8 million bonus and a $250,000 college scholarship.

July 13, 2017: The White Sox traded LHP Jose Quintana to the Cubs; acquiring 2B Bryant Flete, RHP Dylan Cease, LF Eloy Jimenez, and 1B Matt Rose.

March 22, 2019: The White Sox agreed to terms on a six-year, $43 million contract with Eloy. The pact includes two club options that could extend the deal through the 2026 season and amount to $75 million.

Jimenez has a quick righthanded stroke that result in hard line drives. The ball jumps off his bat. He is developing some intense power, using his long levers for impressive extension. And he can hit it out to any part of the yard, pole to pole, just about. He has a 60 grade hit tool and a 70 for power.

His coiled lower half and rubber band-like takeaway in his swing remind some evaluators of Miguel Cabrera. He also shows an impressive knack for learning how pitchers plan to attack him, and then adjusting to the strategy within the same game. (Spring, 2019)

Eloy can be overly aggressive but has a solid two-strike approach. He has shown the aptitude to adjust to pitches on the outer half as well as off-speed pitches, though his pitch recognition will need to improve. (Spring, 2018)

Eloy is learning to use some loft power—shots that often exceed 400 feet. Mostly his flat swing produces line shots. But there is more and more power on the way. He can hit the ball out of any part of the park—even to the opposite field.

Jimenez gets comparisons with Jorge Soler and Giancarlo Stanton, but he’s more than a power-first hitter. Some scouts rate Jimenez’s pure hitting ability on par with his power. 

There are sluggers on this list with better pure raw power, but what gives Jimenez an advantage over his fellow thumpers is his ability to get to his power consistently. Jimenez’s hitting ability combines with lofty power potential to give him a chance to hit 30-plus home runs regularly in the future.

Eloy is intimidating with his electric swing. Rival managers lamented not being able to find many holes in his swing, even when they pitched him backwards. And here's the scary part: Jimenez might not be done developing physically. He played all of 2017 at 20 years old and still has room to sculpt his body and add more strength, possibly becoming a perennial 40-home run threat. (Josh Norris - BA Prospect Handbook - Spring, 2018)

“It’s scary how good this guy can be,” one Cubs coach said.

“With his swing path and hit tool, the plate coverage is pretty special,” another Cubs coach added. (Spring, 2017)

His long arms create length to his swing, and he will need to keep his hips from flying open too early, but he has good hand-eye coordination and uses the middle of the field. He has impressive plate discipline.

Jimenez has a balanced with a modest leg kick and good timing. He has a level bat path, keeping the barrel in the zone for a long time. has shown some opposite field power. And he is endeavoring to incorporate his lower body more into his swing. He has solid bat speed.

You see how advanced at the plate with his approach.

Eloy needs to stay away from breaking balls low and away. He has holes in his swing, but maintains a good approach, making a whole lot of contact.

In 2015, Jimenez struck out in 17 percent of his plate appearances, which is pretty impressive for someone with as much pop as he has.

 Eloy Jimenez worked himself into being a hitter. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound power guy for the South Bend Cubs made a quantum leap in his first two years of professional baseball. Where the native of Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic, goes from here might be fun for fans to watch.

“The improvement he made was definitely due to the work he did in the batting cage,” said Cubs hitting coach Guillermo Martinez, who also served as Jimenez’s translator. “He has a high aptitude there.”

“The first year, I was more anxious and nervous,” Jimenez said. “Last year, I put more focus on being focused and being ready.”

Given his size, the 19-year-old still appears to have room to grow. Baseball guys like to talk about “man strength.” Jimenez, almost a bit gangly, isn’t there yet. Not even close. When it finally happens. That’s what makes him so intriguing, while being considered one of the top prospects in the Cubs organization.

“In spring training, I’ve heard some of the loudest balls come off his bat,” said Martinez.

“I just focus on squaring up the baseball and putting a sound swing on it,” said Jimenez. “After that, whatever happens, happens.”

Noise can be the ultimate compliment.

“You’re going to hear a lot of loud balls off the bat this year,” Martinez said. “You’re going to see a lot of big guys in baseball, but not many are able to hit the ball like him.”

In addition to improving his batting average from his first to his second year of pro ball, Jimenez also cut down his strikeouts from about one in five at-bats to one in six.

“I’m still learning the strike zone,” Jimenez said. “You’ve always got different sized pitchers who are throwing from different arm angles. I’m still working at recognizing the different strikes; still learning. One of the important things is to work with a purpose in (batting practice); then pay attention to how they’re pitching to me and the rest of the guys. I’m not focused on the power. I’m focused on a sound swing and connecting with the ball.”

Two years under the microscope that comes with being considered one of the top talents in the organization have been lessons for Eloy to take with him through the rest of his career.

“I’ve learned to respect the game more, and to come here more focused every day,” he said. “The only thing I can do is just go out there and play. You can’t focus too much on anything else.” (Al Lesar - South Bend Tribune - April 7, 2016) 

In 2016, he played in the Futures Game in San Diego. After that, people saw his maturity rise.

"Eloy is going up there with an idea now," South Bend Manager Jimmy Gonzalez said. "It's not just 'I'm a baseball player. I'm playing baseball.' He's up there thinking, knowing how he's going to be pitched, knowing how he's going to be approached and sticking to the approach he has. Those things will also make him a better player. Those things are evident in his numbers."

Jimenez now has a two-strike approach, and he's able to hit the ball the other way.

"I'm trying to focus more on my game and be better in the field," Jimenez said. "I'm better at being focused on my game and my plan. I feel like I'm learning something every day. I'm asking questions. I understand how things fit in with my plan. I grind in all of my areas, the outfield, hitting, but mostly in the mental part."

A big part of the mental approach for Jimenez is having fun.

"It's really big for me to keep things loose," Jimenez said. "I just try to enjoy the game. If you don't enjoy the game, and you put pressure on yourself, you're not going to do well. That's the key, enjoy the game and you'll be happy. I was really nervous before the Futures Game, and then I told myself that it's the same game I played when I was a kid and to just have fun, and that's what I did." (Curt Rallo - MiLB.com - 8/18/2016)

He has polish to add against lefthanded pitchers, who handled him with a steady diet of off-speed stuff.

June 19, 2017: Jimenez did his best Roy Hobbs impersonation during a Single-A Carolina League Home Run Derby.

Representing the Cubs' Myrtle Beach Pelicans, MLB.com's No. 8 prospect recreated an iconic scene from The Natural by belting a home run into the stadium's lights. This blast didn't spark fireworks, but the damaged light flickered as fans admired the tape-measure shot. (Andrew Gould-B-R)

2018 Season: Jimenez destroyed all comers in both Double-A and Triple-A, finishing with a combined .337/.384/.577 line with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.

One SL manager invoked the name Miguel Cabrera when describing Jimenez’s swing. He keeps his lower half coiled, his arms relaxed and his front arm close to his body, unleashing his swing like a rubber band releasing its potential energy.

What makes Jimenez particularly dangerous is his power to all fields and ability to adjust his approach from one at-bat to the next.

June 11, 2019: At 462 feet, Jimenez's home run is the longest home run at Guaranteed Rate since Statcast began tracking in 2015.

August 18, 2019: Jimenez’s 20th homer of the season, made him the 11th White Sox rookie in franchise history to reach this plateau.

Sept. 22, 2019: Jiménez reached a milestone with a two-run home run for his 30th of the season. Jiménez joined José Abreu (36 in 2014) and Ron Kittle (35 in 1983) as the only White Sox rookies to reach 30 in a season. And Eloy became the youngest player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

In September 2019, Jiménez was named AL Rookie of the Month.

Jiménez took home the honors after crushing nine home runs and collecting 25 RBIs while hitting .340/.383/.710 over 24 games in September. After getting off to a slow start, the 22-year-old ended up eclipsing the 30-homer mark.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Jiménez hit 31 home runs during his rookie season, launching 16 in the first half and 15 after the All-Star break. But there was little doubt he really started to figure things out as a hitter in those final three months, especially in September, when Jiménez produced a 1.093 OPS with nine homers, eight doubles and a .340 average over 107 plate appearances.

Jiménez was acquired as the centerpiece of a five-player trade with the Cubs in 2017 that sent lefthanded starter Jose Quintana to the North Side. And Jiménez’s most prominent 2019 homer came in the ninth inning at Wrigley Field off of Pedro Strop to break a 1-1 tie. He almost hit the pitch out of Wrigley Field to left-center field but broke his bat on the swing. Jiménez has 50-homer potential and has exhibited the ability to hit with power to all fields. In fact, Jiménez only had two truly pulled home runs in 2019, per Baseball-Reference.com. And 11 to center and seven to right.  –Scott Merkin

Nov. 5, 2020: Jiménez is the youngest player in franchise history to win the Silver Slugger Award and just the second Dominican-born White Sox player to receive the honor, joining Julio Franco in 1994.

Jiménez, 23, batted .296/.332/.559 (63-213) with 14 doubles, 14 home runs, 41 RBI and 26 runs scored over 55 games last season. He ranked among the AL leaders in multi-hit games (T-1st, 21), extra-base hits (T-3rd, 28), total bases (5th, 119), home runs (T-7th), slugging percentage (8th), hits (9th) and RBI (9th). 

Eloy is a corner outfielder with a fringe-average arm. His throws lack carry, though he has become more accurate. 

Left field is his best position . . . and his only viable position.

Some scouts question Jimenez’s ultimate level of athleticism, as he’s not graceful, but the Cubs believe he is still growing into his body and will gain body control with natural physical maturity and added strength.

Jimenez is still working on the fundamentals, such as his throwing mechanics, which need to be more consistent.  

"I take too much pride in my defense because when I'm not hitting, I can help the team with my defense, too." Eloy said in 2016.

2014: Jimenez battled shoulder soreness early in the season. And a foot issue shut him down in August.

July 2015: Eloy spent 10 games on the D.L. with a hamstring injury.

March 20-May 11, 2017: Jimenez has a bone bruise in his right shoulder, and he was shut down.

March-April 19, 2018: Jimenez missed two weeks during Spring Training and then the first two weeks of the season due to a strained left pectoral muscle. He injured himself lifting weights in spring training.

July 2-15, 2018: The White Sox announced that an MRI has revealed Eloy Jimenez has a strained left abductor muscle in his left hip. Jimenez left a game after his second at-bat, which resulted in a flyout. He immediately showed signs of discomfort.

Dec. 16, 2018: Jimenez is likely to be removed from Dominican Winter League play following a recent quad injury, Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM reports.

While the injury happened fairly close to the end of Jimenez’s scheduled playing time this offseason, it’s still of some concern for the club as the 22-year-old outfielder continues to move closer to his major league entrance in 2019.

April 26, 2019: Jiménez departed a game against the Tigers due to a right ankle sprain. X-rays were negative and Jimenez will undergo an MRI as part of the standard evaluation process.

April 27-May 20, 2019: Eloy was on the IL with high right ankle sprain.

July 16, 2019: Jiménez departed the 11-0 loss to the Royals in the first inning after colliding with center fielder Charles Tilson chasing a Whit Merrifield fly ball. Tilson made the catch, but Jimenez, also running hard to make the play, banged his right arm into Tilson’s jaw. Jimenez was down on the warning track for a few minutes.

Renteria announced that Jimenez was returning to Chicago to be examined by team doctors and Jimenez will undergo an MRI. A trip to the injured list seems imminent for Jimenez.

July 17-28, 2019: Eloy was on the IL with right ulnar nerve contusion.

July 29, 2020: Jiménez is healthy enough to make the White Sox playoff roster for the American League Wild Card Series in Oakland. But the White Sox left fielder, who suffered a right mid-foot sprain while scoring a run in Cleveland, was not physically ready to be in the Game 1 starting lineup.

“We put him through the wringers and still a little discomfort, so we are going to have him hopefully available for maybe a big pinch-hit,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Jiménez, who worked out on the field prior to the Game. “We’ll see how he responds to the medication. And again, he’s going to get back in there and get treated up again, and we’ll see where he’s at.”

March 25-July 26, 2021: Jimenez will miss a few months after suffering a pectoral injury in a spring training game. He had surgery on March 30.

April 24-July 6, 2022:  The White Sox placed outfielder Jiménez on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

April 26, 2022:  White Sox left fielder Eloy Jiménez underwent a surgical procedure to repair a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee at Rush Oak Brook Surgery Center. The estimated outlook for his return remains at six to eight weeks, per comments made by general manager Rick Hahn. 

Jiménez suffered what was originally termed a right hamstring strain during the April 23 loss to the Twins while running hard out of the batter’s box to beat an infield grounder to third.

April 6-14, 2023:  Jimenez landed on the IL once again. The White Sox announced that Jimenez would spend the next two weeks on the injured list with a mild hamstring strain.

May 6-28, 2023: The White Sox placed Eloy on the IL as the slugger underwent an appendectomy and was expected to miss four to six weeks.

April 5-15, 2024: Eloy was on the IL with left abductor strain.

May 21, 2024: Jiménez seemed to feel his hamstring go as he ran home on a single from Corey Julks in the fifth inning of the win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. He was replaced by Dominic Fletcher in the seventh.

The 27-year-old Jiménez underwent some tests after exiting, and the results "weren't bad," according to manager Pedro Grifol. The club will continue to evaluate Jiménez, but the strain should sideline Jiménez "at least for the next couple of days," per Grifol.

May 22-June 23, 2024: Eloy was on the IL with left hammy strain.