Bennett Sousa #62

Graduated in 2014 from the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla...was named a Second-Team All-American by Perfect Game in 2014...was also named to Perfect Game’s Underclass All-American teams in 2012 and 2013...went undrafted out of high school...Was a National Champion (2015) and worked mostly as a reliever in four seasons at Virginia, appearing in a total of 90 games (three starts)...was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but opted to return to Virginia for his senior season...led the Cavaliers with six saves as a senior in 2018...made appearances with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League (2015) and the Keene Swamp Bats (2015-16) of the New England Collegiate League during his college career...Selected by Chicago (AL) in the 10th round of the 2018 draft...signed by White Sox scout Abe Fernández...Was with the White Sox organization for his first five seasons (2018-22) before bouncing around to five different organizations in 2023...started that year with the White Sox, was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Feb. 22, traded to the Brewers on April 9, claimed off waivers by the Tigers on August 29, and claimed off waivers by the Astros on Sept. 3...Had symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome prior to getting the surgery in April of 2024...got surgery to remove a piece of his rib, which he keeps at his house...With two years and 156 days of service time following the 2025 season, was considered a Super Two player this offseason...agreed to a one-year deal to avoid the arbitration process on Jan. 8, 2026.

2025

Began the regular season with Triple A Sugar Land and was recalled on April 9...remained on the active roster until being placed on the 15-day IL (left elbow inflammation) on Aug. 22...finished the regular season on the IL...Was tied for second among Astros relievers with five wins and was tied for third on the club with four saves... Prior to this season, had three career wins and one career save...At the time of his IL placement on Aug. 22, ranked T-8th among AL relievers in wins...Held left-handed hitters to a .145 opponent average (9-for-62) and a .433 opponent OPS...His season debut on April 9 at SEA (0.1IP, zero H, zero R, two BB, one SO) was his first appearance in a Major League game since Oct. 1, 2023...Was scoreless in nine of his first 10 outings of the season (April 9-May 12), posting a 1.54 ERA (two ER/11.2 IP) over that span...Set his single-game high with four strikeouts on June 10 vs. CWS, tossing two scoreless and hitless innings in that outing.

2024

Made eight appearances in Spring Training, working to a 3.38 ERA (three ER/eight IP)...Last pitched on March 21 at STL in Jupiter (0.2 IP)...Began the year on the 15-day IL with left shoulder inflammation...Underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome on April 3, which sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024 season.

2023

Had a winding route through the 2023 season, beginning at the Triple-A level with the Reds and ending at the Major League level with the Astros...Also had stops at the big league and Minor League levels with the Brewers and a brief stint in the Tigers organization...Recorded a combined 4.00 ERA (4ER/9IP) in seven Major League outings, appearing in two games with the Brewers and five with the Astros...Was claimed on waivers by the Astros from the Tigers on Sept. 3 and was recalled on Sept. 14...Had a strong finish to the year with Houston, making five scoreless appearances (6.1 IP) while surrendering just one hit and striking out eight batters...Tossed two perfect innings of relief on Sept. 23 vs. Kansas City, matching his single-game career high for innings...Set his single-game career high with three strikeouts through 1.2 scoreless innings on Sept. 23 vs. Baltimore...Had stints at the Minor League level with the Reds, Brewers, Tigers and Astros, going 2-2 with a 4.43 ERA (10ER/20.1IP) and one save in 20 games...Made 19 of his 20 Minor League appearances at the Triple-A level...Was on the IL from June 9-Aug. 7 due to left shoulder nerve irritation while with the Brewers...Began his calendar year with the White Sox and was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Feb. 22...Spent Spring Training with the Reds and opened the regular season with Triple-A Louisville...Designated for assignment by the Reds on April 5 and acquired in a trade by the Brewers on April 9...Was claimed off waivers by the Tigers on Aug. 29 and then claimed off waivers by the Astros on Sept. 3...Was not eligible for the postseason due to being recalled by the Astros on Sept. 3...Was a member of the taxi squad, traveling and working out with the club throughout its run.

2022

Made his first career Opening Day roster...Went 3-0, 8.41 with one save in 25 relief appearances for the White Sox before he was optioned on 6/14 to Class AAA Charlotte, where he spent the rest of the season...On 4/8 at Det threw a scoreless inning in his Major League debut...Earned his first career strikeout in his second appearance, on 4/9 at Det (Austin Meadows)...Earned his first career win on 4/27 vs KC (7-3 win)...On 5/8 at Bos earned his first career save in the 3-2 win.

2021

Posted a 3.61 ERA (19 ER/47.1 IP) with 71 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP over 41 relief appearances between Class AA Birmingham and Class AAA Charlotte...Averaged 13.5 strikeouts per 9.0 IP between the two stops...Was a non-roster invitee to spring training … began the season with Birmingham before being promoted to Charlotte on 7/20...Went 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA (7 ER/24.2 IP) and 39 strikeouts over 22 appearances at home...Ended the season with five scoreless relief appearances with the Knights from 9/11-25 (4.2 IP).

2020

Did not pitch following the cancellation of the minor-league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic...Spent time at the White Sox alternate training site in Schaumburg, Ill., during the season.

2019

Combined to go 3-6 with a 2.49 ERA (18 ER/65.0 IP) and 74 strikeouts over 43 relief appearances between Class A Kannapolis, Class A Winston-Salem and Class AA Birmingham....Ranked among White Sox organizational leaders in saves (T4th, 8) and ERA (10th, 2.49)....Held left-handed hitters to a .205 average (16-78)....Did not allow an earned run over seven appearances from 4/7-23 (10.0 IP).

2018

Combined to go 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA (5 ER/35.1 IP), five saves and 42 strikeouts over 20 relief appearances between Advanced Rookie Great Falls and Kannapolis in his professional debut...Averaged 10.7 strikeouts per 9.0 IP with a 0.88 WHIP....Held left-handed hitters to a .079 (3-38) average...did not allow a home run all season...Went 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA (9 ER/49.0 IP) as a reliever...made four starts with the Dash, going 0-3 with an 8.74 ERA (11 ER/11.1 IP)....Was recommended/signed by Abe Fernández.