White Sox Trade Jacob Gonzalez to Pirates, Add No. 34 Draft Pick Ahead of MLB Draft
The Chicago White Sox made a significant move just hours before the start of the 2026 MLB Draft, trading infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for the No. 34 overall pick and left-handed pitching prospect Jaden Woods. The deal gives Chicago additional draft capital as it prepares to make the first overall selection.
The trade comes as the White Sox continue reshaping their roster while adding flexibility ahead of one of the most important drafts in franchise history.
Why did the White Sox make the trade?
Chicago acquired the 34th overall selection, a Competitive Balance Round A pick, which is one of the few draft picks that can be traded under Major League Baseball rules.
Adding the selection increases the White Sox's total draft bonus pool to $20,489,500, giving the organisation more financial flexibility to pursue top amateur talent.
The White Sox own the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft and are expected to target one of the top players available.
Who did the Pirates acquire?
Pittsburgh received two major league-ready players:
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Jacob Gonzalez, an infielder selected by the White Sox in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
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Brandon Eisert, a left-handed reliever.
Gonzalez made his MLB debut on May 31 after All-Star Munetaka Murakami landed on the injured list with a right hamstring injury.
Although he primarily played first base during his time in the majors, Gonzalez has spent most of his minor league career at shortstop.
The Pirates could use Gonzalez immediately after rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin suffered a left ring finger injury that is expected to sideline him for eight to 10 weeks.
Eisert appeared in 27⅓ innings this season, posting a 2-1 record, a 5.93 ERA, and 32 strikeouts.
What did the White Sox receive?
Along with the No. 34 pick, Chicago acquired left-handed pitching prospect Jaden Woods.
Woods has split the season between Double-A and Triple-A, recording:
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51 strikeouts
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4.84 ERA
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35⅓ innings pitched
The White Sox are expected to evaluate Woods as bullpen depth while benefiting from the added draft selection.
What does the trade mean for the MLB Draft?
The additional pick gives Chicago even more resources heading into the draft.
The No. 34 selection carries a slot value of approximately $2.9 million, increasing the White Sox's ability to sign high-end prospects.
Chicago has not revealed who it plans to select with the first overall pick, but several names continue to be linked to the club, including:
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Roch Cholowsky, shortstop, UCLA
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Vaughn Lackey, catcher, Georgia Tech
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Grady Emerson, high school shortstop from Texas
The White Sox haven't held the No. 1 overall pick since 1977, when they selected future Hall of Famer Harold Baines.
Why was Jacob Gonzalez available?
Earlier Friday, Chicago optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte after activating Munetaka Murakami from the injured list.
Murakami returned to the lineup against the Athletics, finishing 1-for-5 with four strikeouts in Chicago's 14-1 victory.
Rather than keeping Gonzalez in Triple-A, the White Sox used him as part of a trade to strengthen their draft position.
Questions About the White Sox-Pirates Trade
Who did the White Sox trade?
Chicago traded infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What did the White Sox receive?
The White Sox acquired the No. 34 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and left-handed pitching prospect Jaden Woods.
Why is the No. 34 pick important?
The selection adds nearly $2.9 million in draft bonus pool value, giving Chicago greater flexibility to sign top prospects.
Who could the White Sox draft first overall?
The White Sox are widely expected to consider Roch Cholowsky, Vaughn Lackey, or Grady Emerson with the first overall pick.
With the 2026 MLB Draft about to begin, Chicago has already reshaped its strategy by adding another premium selection while Pittsburgh addresses an immediate need at shortstop. The move positions both clubs for different priorities—one focused on building through the draft, the other on reinforcing its major league roster.
