Minor League Baseball

Chicago White Sox Cut Ties With Former Top Prospect Loidel Chapelli Jr.

Loidel Chapelli Jr. showed flashes in the lower levels of the Chicago White Sox's farm system a few years ago, but the Cuban second baseman failed to progress in his development.

Sam Connon

Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Chicago White Sox hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Truist Park.
Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Chicago White Sox hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Truist Park. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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The Chicago White Sox have released Cuban infielder Loidel Chapelli Jr., Beisbol FR’s Francys Romero reported Friday night.

Chapelli, 23, had been in Chicago's organization for three seasons. He was ranked as the No. 29 prospect in the White Sox's farm system at the start of 2023.

Despite coming up as a corner outfielder in Cuba, Chapelli exclusively played second base over the past few years.

Before joining the White Sox, Chapelli spent two seasons in the Cuban National Series. Across 139 games with Ganaderos de Camaguey, Chapelli hit .304 with seven home runs, 32 doubles, four triples, 67 RBIs, eight stolen bases and an .857 OPS.

Chapelli got a $500K signing bonus from Chicago in 2022, and he proceeded to hit .344 with eight, seven doubles, seven triples, 29 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and a 1.085 OPS in 47 Dominican Summer League games. At the time, MLB Pipeline had his hit and power tools graded at 45, his arm and field tools pegged at 50 and his run tool at a 55.

The White Sox sent Chapelli to High-A Winston-Salem the following season, and he remained there for two years. In total, Chapelli hit .245 with 12 home runs, 32 doubles, nine triples, 77 RBIs, 43 stolen bases and a .714 OPS in 186 games with the Dash.

The lack of development apparently prompted Chicago to cut ties with Chapelli, who will now return to the open market. It remains to be seen if another MLB organization will scoop him up, or if he will continue his career in Cuba.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer for “Minor League Baseball on SI’’ and other "On SI'' baseball sites. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for “UCLA on SI’’ and won awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for “New England Patriots on SI’’ and was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow Sam on Twitter @SamConnon.

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