Could Tim Elko be the Much-Needed Spark for the White Sox?
A Blog By Robbie
You will not find Tim Elko’s name on any prospect list. You will not even find the Wichita, Kansas native on the Chicago White Sox top 30 prospect, yet his production in Triple-A Charlotte this year is turning heads. Fresh off his second multi home run game this season, Elko’s recent power surge has been special. The White Sox, as we are all aware, are a team with absolutely no expectation to make a run this season, as they have already fallen to an abysmal 6-20 to start the year. So…what do they have to lose by calling up a minor leaguer on an absolute tear. At least they could give their fans something to cheer about.
Tim Elko’s Power Surge: The White Sox’s Next Big Bat Awaits
At 26 years old, Elko does not fall into the category of the standard “official pure prospect age”, although he has been quietly producing since getting drafted in the 10th round back in 2022. His journey to this point highlights drive and determination, dating back to his college days at Ole Miss where he played half the season on a torn ACL…and still hit .325 with 16 home runs, including a three-run pinch-hit nuke in his first game back. So far this season, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound first baseman is slashing .355/.432/.634 with an 1.116 OPS (enough to lead the International League) throughout 21 games topped off by 16 RBI and seven moonshots. He has 27 hits, 14 runs, four doubles, 10 walks and 26 strikeouts. In short, he crushes balls into another stratosphere, including some impressive opposite-field power, shown off a couple nights ago during his second multi home run game of 2025. In his first at-bat, Elko saw a sweeper down and away in an 0-2 count and pulled it over the fence with an exit velocity of 100 mph. Once the sixth inning rolled around, he ambushed the first pitch sinker and sent it into the opposite field, a 362-foot blast with a 102.8 mph exit velocity.
He also has quality at-bats overall, while playing good defense at first. Yes, he is built like a cigarette machine, but he can also get down the line decently quick, and has shown flashes of athleticism around the bag. Although Elko tends to strike out at a high clip (29%), he has drastically improved his walk rate, as it currently sits at an above average 11.4%. StS (Scout the Statline) projects Elko to transfer his minor league power into the big leagues, highlighted by a 20 home run 67 RBI projection after being called up. If you are looking for a slugger whose best contact comes on fly balls, look no further than Tim Elko.
Where He’ll Fit In
Andrew Vaughn, who is currently manning first base in the Southside, has struggled mightily so far in 2025, posting a .160 batting average with a .489 OPS through 24 games. Vaughn’s poor overall production gives Elko a chance to compete for at-bats at first base. His 1.000 fielding percentage at first base during his 2024 tenure, along with praise from White Sox farm director Paul Janish for his defensive skills, ensures he can handle the position reliably. Elko could serve as a platoon option or backup to Vaughn, allowing the White Sox to evaluate whether his power surge in Triple-A translates to the majors. If Vaughn continues to struggle mightily, Elko's power alone could position him as the first baseman, especially in a season that revolves around development and experimentation rather than immediate wins.
The White Sox have also rotated players through the designated hitter role in 2025, including Nick Maton, who’s just been DFA’d Lenyn Sosa, Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi, and Vaughn, with varied results. Elko’s bat-first profile makes him an ideal candidate to snag some DH at-bats, particularly against left-handed pitching, where his opposite-field power and ability to hit fly balls could exploit matchups. Elko has shown he’s ready for the big stage—his call-up feels inevitable at this point.