Eloy Jimenez, Zack Collins Promoted To Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Barons and the Chicago White Sox announced today that the team has promoted two of the team's top 10 prospects, outfielder Eloy Jiménez and catcher Zack Collins to Birmingham. Toby Thomas has been transferred to Winston-Salem and another corresponding move will be made prior to Wednesday night's game against Montgomery.

Jimenez, 20, was acquired by the White Sox on July 13 as the headlining piece of the five-player trade with the Cubs for pitcher Jose Quintana. Jimenez is hitting .345 (38-for-110), with eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 29 games since joining the White Sox organization. Combined this season between the Winston-Salem Dash and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Jimenez is hitting .302, with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs. According to MLB Pipeline, Jimenez is currently rated as the No.2 prospect in the White Sox system, the No. 2 outfield prospect in all of baseball and the No.7 overall prospect.
In his four year career, Jimenez has piled up the accolades, which include two straight appearances in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in 2016 and 2017, three consecutive Midseason All-Star appearances from 2015-17, as well as being named the Cubs Minor League Player of the Year, Midwest League Most Valuable Player and Prospect of the Year in 2016. Jimenez was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Cubs on August 1, 2013 out of Santo Domingo, D.R. and becomes the fourth youngest player in the Southern League.
Collins, 22, has played in 101 games this season, all with Winston-Salem and has hit .223, to go along with a team leading 17 home runs and 48 RBIs. The first-round pick (10^th overall) of the White Sox in 2016 out of the University of Miami was chosen as a Carolina League Midseason All-Star and is currently tied for third in the league in home runs, third in walks (76), eighth in on-base percentage (.365) and seventh in OPS (.808). Collins was selected as one of three White Sox prospects, along with infielder Yoán Moncada and current Barons pitcher Michael Kopech to represent the organization at the Futures Game in Miami this season.
Collins played three seasons at the University of Miami and led the Hurricanes to the College World Series appearance in 2016, by hitting .363, with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs over 62 games, while also becoming the first Miami Hurricane to receive the Johnny Bench award, honoring the nation's top collegiate catcher. The Pembroke Pines, Fla. native is currently ranked as the No.10 prospect in the White Sox organization and No.5 catching prospect in the MLB according to MLB Pipeline.
The Barons will begin the second half of a 10-game homestand tomorrow evening at Regions Field, with the opening game of a five-game series against Montgomery. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT, with left-hander Tanner Banks on the mound. Curt Bloom will bring you all the action starting with the Coca-Cola pregame show starting at 6:55 p.m. on 105.5 FM WERC and the iHeart Radio app.
For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or for additional information about Regions Field, call (205) 988-3200, or visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.