The Rise of Alexander Alberto: A Tale of Mechanical Tweaks and Major League Dreams
With a beaming smile, Alexander Alberto, the towering 24-year-old right-hander, answered his introductory media call, donning an MLB Players Association shirt. His selection by the White Sox in the recent Rule 5 Draft has opened doors to a 40-man roster, marking a significant milestone in his career.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Alberto's journey with the White Sox feels like a homecoming, even though he spent the first six years of his professional career with the Rays. It's a familiar start to a new chapter.
"I remember the White Sox taking an interest in me during my tryouts before I signed as an international free agent," Alberto shared through an interpreter. "I know making the major league roster is a challenge, and I'm determined to seize this opportunity. There are players who defied expectations and made it through spring training. I want to be one of them."
The 2025 season was a breakthrough for Alberto in many ways. He pitched a career-high 48⅔ innings across two levels of A-ball, maintaining his velocity and delivery despite the challenges of managing his 6-foot-8-inch, 205-pound frame over a full season.
His fastball averaged an impressive 97.8 mph, with peaks of 101 mph, a significant increase from his previous high of 98.4 mph in 2024. This surge in velocity, coupled with the best strikeout and ERA numbers of his career, showcases his growth as a pitcher.
From a scouting perspective, Alberto's journey to becoming a reliable minor league reliever has two interpretations. Some may argue that his massive frame limits his physical coordination, leading to inconsistent command. However, the White Sox take a different approach, embracing non-traditional development paths for athletes with exceptional physical attributes. Alberto's progress and response to recent mechanical tweaks suggest a promising future.
"I made some adjustments," Alberto explained through an interpreter. "I shortened my arm action and lowered my leg kick, which helped me repeat my delivery consistently. This improved my velocity and strike-throwing ability."
The data supports Alberto's claims, showing an increase in his leg kick extension and a lower release point in 2025. These mechanical changes have had a positive impact on his performance.
Alberto's unique pitch, which he describes as a natural cutter, adds an element of unpredictability to his arsenal. While it gives him an edge, it also presents challenges in controlling the zone to his arm side. This double-edged sword is not unfamiliar to the White Sox pitching development team, as they have worked with similar cases in the past.
For instance, Grant Taylor's fastball has a natural cut-ride action, and last year's Rule 5 success story, Shane Smith, also dealt with random cutting action on his running sinker, making it a potent mid-season addition.
Alberto's selection in the Rule 5 draft was not the first overall pick; he was the 13th, with the second overall pick, Jedixson Páez, expected to join the team soon. For Alberto to secure a spot in the majors, he needs to take his game to the next level, demonstrating consistency and the ability to handle the workload of the highest level of baseball.
"I know this is a huge opportunity," Alberto said. "I'm working on gaining weight to get stronger. If I can achieve that, I won't need to push my limits every time, and it will be easier to perform consistently."
And this is the part most people miss: Alberto's journey is a testament to the power of hard work and mechanical adjustments. It's a story of a pitcher finding his stride and a team recognizing his potential. Will he make it to the majors and become a consistent reliever? That's a question for the upcoming season, and we can't wait to see how this story unfolds.
What are your thoughts on Alberto's journey? Do you think he has what it takes to make it to the big leagues? Let us know in the comments!
