Chicago White Sox finally promote Tim Elko as MLB Rebels keep climbing
Tim Elko on Saturday will become the third former Ole Miss baseball Rebel promoted to MLB in the last two weeks.
Elko, 26, got the call from the Chicago White Sox on Friday evening, according to reporting from Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun Times. The three-time Ole Miss captain is slashing .348/.431/.670 to go with 10 home runs through 31 games with Triple-A Charlotte.
Elko has been one of the best power hitters in the minor leagues for the last three years. Meanwhile, White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, has struggled at the major-league level. He’s slashing .188/.223/.293 with three homers in 36 games.
Elko has a .293 batting average, .348 on-base percentage and 61 homers in 325 minor-league games.
“He’s always hit the ball hard,” White Sox general Manager Chris Getz said of Elko before Chicago took on the Milwaukee Brewers on May 1. “He’s actually increased how hard he’s hitting it. Most importantly, how often he’s doing it. He’s certainly leading the organization in home runs, and I think he’s at the top in minor league baseball.
“Tim’s a special guy, has got tremendous leadership qualities. He impacts others beyond just himself. He was a pretty good defender at first base. He’s putting together all-around quality at-bats. So, we’re really happy with the development of Tim, and know at some point he could join us here in Chicago.”
‘Some point’ arrives when the White Sox host the Miami Marlins Saturday at 6:10 p.m. CT.
Elko follows to ‘The Show’ other Rebel greats Doug Nikhazy and Gunnar Hoglund. Nikhazy at the end of April debuted and was sent back down by the Cleveland Guardians after a start as the 27th man for a doubleheader.
Hoglund won his debut for the soon-to-be Las Vegas A’s a week ago, surrendering just one run over six innings in a 6-1 win over the Marlins.
The White Sox drafted Elko in the 10th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Elko and Jacob Gonzalez, his former Rebel teammate, were among the 24 players invited to spring training with the White Sox. However, neither broke came with the team.
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“Ole Miss means the world to me,” Elko said after leading the Rebels to their first-ever national championship in 2022. “I remember following the (2021) draft, I was praying and trying to figure out what I was going to do. God told me that I’m not done at Ole Miss.
“I listened to that, and I was like, ‘All right, well, let’s do this thing then.’ I came back, and it was the best decision I could have ever made.”
Elko hit .289 with 18 home runs and 73 RBI last season.
He split time between AA and AAA. Elko belted 28 home runs the year prior.
He was an almost-unprecedented three-time team captain at Ole Miss. Elko started every game for the Rebels during the title run. He got off to a slow start in the College World Series. Even still, he finished with a .280 batting average and hit two home runs.
The most consequential was in Game 1 of the finals, when Elko was 4 for 5 with a homer and three runs scored against Oklahoma. Ole Miss swept both games.
Elko has a statue in his honor at Swayze Field, the home of the Rebels.
“Just an amazing university and I feel so special and honored for them to do that for me and for that national championship team,” Elko said. “It’s pretty awesome.”
