Despite being mentioned in trade rumors for players like Manny Machado and Christian Yelich, so far Rick Hahn has stayed the course with the rebuild this winter.
The White Sox haven't made any big moves, haven't touched any of the team's prospects and have continued to add smaller pieces with the hopes of getting a breakout performance. Hahn himself said the White Sox will be looking to "find the next Anthony Swarzak" to fill in the bullpen.
That context might explain what Hahn and the White Sox are trying to accomplish by claiming Jose Ruiz off waivers from the Padres. Ruiz, 23, began his pro career as a catcher, but hit .203 in five minor-league seasons and didn't make it above A ball. In 2016, he converted to pitching and he even made his major league debut with a one-game, one-inning stint with the Padres in July.
Ruiz spent most of 2017 with Advanced Single-A affiliate Lake Elsinore where he posted a 5.98 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 25 walks in 49 2/3 innings, all in relief. The intrigue with Ruiz is his fastball. It averaged above 95 mph in his lone MLB appearance. The Padres designated Ruiz for assignment a week ago.
His track record doesn't indicate Ruiz will be a favorite to make the White Sox bullpen, but the velocity despite a lack of time focusing on pitching at the pro level explains why there would be some interest in him.
The addition of Ruiz puts the White Sox 40-man roster at 37.