In a significant moment for his career, Alexander Alberto, a promising pitcher, eagerly embraced the media during his introductory Zoom call, proudly wearing a t-shirt from the MLB Players Association. His recent selection by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft marked a pivotal point, placing the towering 24-year-old right-hander on a major league roster for the very first time.
Despite spending the initial six years of his professional journey with the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming part of the White Sox organization feels oddly familiar for Alberto. "This was the first team that showed interest in me during my tryouts, well before I signed as an international free agent, and that memory has always stayed with me," he shared through an interpreter. He is acutely aware of the daunting task ahead of him in securing a spot on the major league roster, which is why he is committed to putting in the necessary hard work. Alberto noted that many players, who initially appeared unlikely to make their major league debuts, dedicated themselves and succeeded in doing so out of spring training. "That’s what drives me—to be one of those players."
Although his last season ended at the High-A level, setting him up for a challenging adjustment period as he heads to Camelback Ranch next month, the 2025 season proved to be a remarkable breakthrough for Alberto in multiple ways. He achieved a career-high total of 48⅔ innings pitched across two A-ball levels, all the while feeling confident in his performance and delivery. However, he did admit that maintaining his weight throughout the grueling season, given his 6-foot-8-inch, 205-pound frame, posed a challenge.
Among the highlights of his season was a noticeable increase in velocity; he averaged 97.8 mph on his fastball, even reaching 101 mph—an impressive leap from his previous high of 98.4 mph recorded in 2024. Alongside these achievements, he also posted the best statistical results of his career, including a striking 30.6 percent strikeout rate and a commendable 2.59 ERA. Remarkably, he exhibited a level of strike-throwing consistency that he had never demonstrated before. Had he maintained the 10 percent walk rate seen in 2025 throughout his entire professional career, it’s likely that he would not have progressed as slowly through the Rays’ farm system and might have avoided being left unprotected last November.
From a scouting perspective, there are varying interpretations regarding the lengthy six-year journey it took for Alberto to develop into a reliable minor league reliever. On one hand, a more cynical view suggests that his imposing height may hinder his physical coordination, leading to only sporadic moments of acceptable command. This slow and steady progress over time reinforces this viewpoint. Conversely, a perspective closer to that of the White Sox embraces the notion that seeking exceptional physical talent sometimes necessitates accepting unconventional developmental paths. With only 172⅓ professional innings under his belt, Alberto appears to be responding positively to some recent adjustments.
"I made several changes that contributed to my progress in 2025," Alberto explained through an interpreter. "I shortened my arm action and lowered my leg kick, which allowed me to consistently repeat my delivery. This not only improved my velocity but also enhanced my ability to throw strikes."
The data substantiates Alberto's claims more than the surface-level observations might suggest. His new leg kick allowed him to average nearly seven feet of extension, a shift from previously replicating his height in length, while his release point dropped by 4-5 inches during the 2025 season.
Typically, one would expect this change to help him effectively elevate four-seam fastballs above opposing hitters' barrels. However, Alberto possesses a unique fastball that defies conventional expectations. Chris Getz praised the cutter he displayed shortly after the Rule 5 Draft during the Winter Meetings, yet Alberto insists that the cut associated with his fastball is simply a natural characteristic rather than a deliberate technique. This distinction offers insight into the intriguing data surrounding his pitching style.
"It’s just a natural cutter; it’s not something I actively work on," Alberto stated through an interpreter. "While I think that aspect is beneficial, it can occasionally pose challenges in terms of control."
This distinctive pitch action sets him apart from the typical right-handed reliever who relies on a fastball-slider combination, a description Alberto uses to characterize his arsenal. However, the unpredictable nature of his fastball complicates his ability to maintain consistent command, especially on his arm side. Until he receives guidance from pitchers like Davis Martin or discovers a similar breakthrough, this inconsistency will remain a hurdle for him. Consequently, Alberto represents a double-edged sword; he's both a tantalizing prospect and a project for the White Sox's pitching development.
To draw parallels, Grant Taylor possesses a naturally cutting fastball, but a more relatable example could be Shane Smith, a Rule 5 success story from last year. Smith similarly dealt with bouts of unpredictable cutting action that turned his running sinker into a formidable midseason addition.
Alberto may not have been the top pick in the Rule 5 Draft, but he stands as the 13th overall selection (with Jedixson Páez, the second overall pick, expected to meet the media next week). As such, ensuring his place in the majors—despite his impressive ability to throw at speeds of 100 mph—requires further strides in consistency and managing the demands of the highest level of baseball. Last season marked the first time he felt truly prepared, both physically and mentally, to pitch every day.
Having made significant advancements in his development last year, Alberto has greatly improved his prospects of carving out a meaningful major league career. Nevertheless, for the White Sox's aim of acquiring a reliable reliever, he must achieve even greater progress in 2026. For Alberto, recognizing this challenge is perhaps half the battle.
"I understand that this is a tremendous opportunity," he said through an interpreter. "I’m currently focused on gaining more weight to build strength. If I can accomplish that, I won’t have to push myself to the limit every time, making it easier to deliver consistent performances."
