Wilfred Veras Shows Impressive Growth For White Sox

One of multiple Class A prospects to be bumped up to Double-A Birmingham for the final month of last season, Wilfred Veras stood out.

He was 19 years old when the White Sox promoted him to the Southern League as part of the organization’s “Project Birmingham” initiative. Veras put up an .846 OPS with three home runs in 12 Double-A games.

Still, the White Sox assigned Veras to High-A Winston-Salem this season, where the first baseman shifted to right field.

“There is not a rush to get him to another level, being that we’re only a month into the season,” said Chris Getz, Chicago’s assistant general manager and director of player development. “But I think it is realistic for Wilfred to play at Double-A at some point this season.”

Veras has shown impressive growth since signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2019.

“Just like most of our players, we want him to really understand what it takes to be a professional,” Getz said. “He is only 20 years old and he is maturing in all facets of life and with baseball. It is our job as an organization to help him along the way, and part of that is moving him along at an appropriate rate.”

Veras began his professional career with a good understanding of the game. His father Wilton Veras played for the Red Sox in 1999 and 2000. Fernando Tatis is his uncle and Fernando Tatis Jr. his cousin.

The bloodlines started showing right after Wilfred signed on with the White Sox.

“I don’t think anyone is surprised by his early performance,” Getz said. “He has always shown a knack to hit, going back to his days at our (Dominican) academy. He is very comfortable in the box and consistently looking to do damage.”

After hitting .267/.319/.454 with 17 homers in 101 games for Low-A Kannapolis last season—and then spending a few weeks with Birmingham—Veras got off to a fast start with Winston-Salem this year. He hit .313/.330/.530 with three homers through his first 21 games.

CHI-LITES

— Shortstop Colson Montgomery, the organization’s No. 1 prospect, has yet to play this season because of a mid-back strain. There is no timeline for his return.

— A groin injury delayed the start of third baseman Bryan Ramos‘ season at Double-A Birmingham, but he was close to being activated.