White Sox Claim Ex-1st Round Pick From Guardians

Once a top prospect in the minors, and a former first-round draft pick, now a six-year veteran just trying to maintain a job in the major leagues, 27-year-old Touki Toussaint was claimed off waivers — on his birthday — by the Chicago White Sox. He had been DFA'd by the Cleveland Guardians a few days back.

White Sox claim right-hander Touki Toussaint off waivers from the Guardians. He was pitching at AAA Columbus. Made one start for Cleveland this season.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) June 20, 2023

Toussaint's last season of any substance in the big leagues was 2021, when he made 10 starts for the Atlanta Braves and posted a 4.50 ERA. He made two starts in eight appearances for the Los Angeles Angels last season, and this year has pitched mostly at Triple-A in the Cleveland system. There, he had worked mostly out of the bullpen, with a 4.06 ERA and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

He made one start for the Guardians earlier this week, walking five and not making it out of the 4th inning. That outing spelled the end of his time in Cleveland, as they DFA'd him after that.

The control problems have haunted Toussaint throughout his career, majors and minors. He's walked an untenable 5.6 batters per nine in 174 major league innings pitched. But he's also struck out more than a batter per inning. The White Sox are hoping he can find the plate and be of service to them out of the bullpen.

Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK