White Sox proactively planning for future with late-season Caleb Bonemer position change

At just 20 years old, Bonemer has turned heads this season, belting 33 home runs across the High-A and Double-A levels, including 18 with High-A and 15 with Double-A. However, his power is not the only thing drawing attention late in the season. The White Sox recently approached him about a position change, a move that suggests the organization is proactively preparing for the future.

Chicago White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer will play center field during the final stretch of the Double-A season and Arizona Fall League

Originally drafted as a shortstop, as several great athletes out of High School are, Bonemer has played both short and third base throughout his professional career. However, he now will be getting live game action in center field as Chicago approached him about adding this tool to his arsenal.

White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, “By no means is he no longer an infielder. We see this as adding another tool in his bag. And he’s super athletic. He’s capable of doing it.”

With an infield featuring Chase Meidroth at second base, Colson Montgomery at shortstop and Miguel Vargas at third base, all of whom are under team control for several years, the White Sox are taking a proactive approach with Bonemer by getting him meaningful reps in the outfield for the remainder of the minor league season as well as Arizona Fall League.

Expanding his defensive versatility could give him a clearer path to consistent playing time once he reaches the Major Leagues. That becomes even more important considering Chicago also has top prospects such as Roch Cholowsky and Billy Carlson, who are both infielders.

For Bonemer, the move to center field is about much more than simply learning a new position. The White Sox are giving one of their most promising young players another tool that could ultimately make him more valuable and easier to fit into the Major League roster. With plenty of talented infielders also in the organization, developing the ability to play center field now could give him more opportunities down the road and ensure Chicago has as many options as possible when his time to reach the big leagues arrives.