Home / Sports / White Sox Gamble on Graham Pauley: Can They Unlock His Potential?
White Sox Gamble on Graham Pauley: Can They Unlock His Potential?
4 Nov
Summary
- White Sox acquired infielder Graham Pauley off waivers from the Marlins.
- Pauley shows defensive strength but struggles with plate approach.
- The team hopes to unlock his latent potential despite past waiver claims.
The Chicago White Sox have added infielder Graham Pauley to their roster, acquiring him off waivers from the Miami Marlins. This low-risk move aligns with the White Sox's offseason strategy of claiming former top-100 prospects, with the hope of developing their untapped potential.
Pauley, a 13th-round pick in 2022, has shown promise with power hitting in the minor leagues but has struggled with his plate approach against major league pitching. His offensive statistics in 2025 and 2026 with Miami showed a concerning decline in power and an increase in strikeout rates, with exit velocity and hard-hit percentages remaining low.
Defensively, Pauley offers valuable versatility, capable of playing multiple infield positions, including third base, first base, and second base. Despite a slight regression in defensive metrics in 2026, his defensive capabilities are seen as a more attainable area for improvement compared to his hitting. The White Sox aim to help Pauley reach his full potential.
