Oscar Colás – Chicago White Sox Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Oscar Colás was born on September 17, 1998, in Havana, Cuba. He’s carved out a spot in professional baseball after a winding, fascinating journey.

Before he reached MLB, Colás played in Japan with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He signed a contract worth about $140,000 in 2019.

You can see his determination and raw talent in his path to the major leagues. As an outfielder, Colás has shown he’s not afraid to take risks.

Right now, Colás plays for the Chicago White Sox under a one-year, $740,000 contract. This marks his first big MLB deal after debuting on March 30, 2023.

The White Sox picked up his contract from the Charlotte Knights, bringing the Cuban outfielder up after he spent time developing in the minors.

According to public info, Colás has built a net worth of about $2.7 million from his international baseball career and now MLB. He’s still finding his footing as a major leaguer, but his international experience and obvious skill make him a player to keep an eye on as he grows with the White Sox.

Early Life and Background

Oscar Luis Colás Leon entered the world in Havana, Cuba, on September 17, 1998.

Cuba’s deep baseball roots shaped his early years and set him up for a run at the pros.

Family and Education

Colás grew up in a Cuban family that took baseball seriously. Details about his parents are mostly private, but their impact on his athletic path was huge.

Cuba’s education system puts a big emphasis on both schoolwork and sports. Colás took advantage of this structure to work on his baseball skills.

Cuban athletes usually go to “Escuelas de Iniciación Deportiva” (Sports Initiation Schools). These schools give young players specialized sports training along with their regular classes.

Colás probably juggled school and intense baseball practice during these years.

His family’s encouragement played a big role in helping him chase his baseball dreams.

Amateur Baseball Career

Colás started turning heads early in Cuba’s tough youth baseball leagues. He showed off both pitching and hitting skills but eventually zeroed in on playing outfield.

As a teenager, Colás climbed through Cuba’s baseball system and landed a spot in the Cuban National Series. That league has produced a bunch of MLB stars and gave Colás his first taste of pro ball.

His performances in Cuba’s amateur leagues highlighted his natural power and athleticism. Those traits later caught the eye of professional teams in Japan and, eventually, MLB clubs.

Journey from Cuba to Major League Baseball

Colás didn’t take the usual route to MLB. He defected from Cuba in January 2020 to chase international opportunities.

Before that, he’d already established himself in Japan’s Western League.

After leaving Cuba, Colás worked on becoming eligible to sign with a Major League team. He had to set up residency outside Cuba and the U.S. and deal with tricky international signing rules.

Eventually, he signed with the Chicago White Sox organization. He kept developing his game there, showing just how committed he was to making it to the top.

Oscar Colás Professional Career

Oscar Colás has put together a professional baseball career that’s taken him from Cuba to Japan and now to the Chicago White Sox in the U.S.

International Signing and Early Professional Years

Colás kicked off his pro career in Cuba, playing for Holguín in the Cuban National Series as a teenager. He stood out with his pitching and power at the plate, earning the nickname “Cuban Ohtani” for his two-way skills.

In 2019, he took his shot in Japan, signing with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks for about 15 million yen (roughly $140,000). While in Japan, he focused more on hitting and playing outfield than pitching.

After he left Cuba, Colás set up residency in the Dominican Republic so he could sign with an MLB team. The Chicago White Sox, who have a track record with Cuban players, quickly became the favorites to land him.

Chicago White Sox Debut

Colás signed with the Chicago White Sox and moved fast through the minor leagues in 2022. At 6’0″ and 230 pounds, the left-handed outfielder impressed scouts with his power and a cannon for an arm.

After a strong minor league run, the White Sox called up Colás from the Charlotte Knights, and he made his MLB debut in 2023. He joined a White Sox outfield featuring veterans like Andrew Benintendi.

His rookie season flashed his potential but also exposed some rough edges. Like a lot of young players, Colás struggled with pitch recognition and making consistent contact.

Key Highlights with the White Sox

With the White Sox, Colás has shown off the power that made him a top prospect. He’s had his best games when he’s able to pull the ball at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Colás has worked to earn a regular spot in the outfield alongside teammates like Andrew Vaughn and Andrew Benintendi. His defense—especially his arm—has been a real asset in right field.

Consistency, though, has been a hurdle. The White Sox have stayed patient with his development, especially since the team has been in a rebuilding phase after losing stars like Tim Anderson and Dylan Cease.

2024 White Sox Season Performance

In 2024, Colás has kept working on his approach at the plate with the rebuilding White Sox. His estimated net worth of $2.7 million shows where he stands as a young player still proving himself.

The White Sox, after moving on from veterans like Lucas Giolito, have given Colás plenty of chances as part of their youth movement. He’s had stretches of hot hitting with big power, but he’s also dealt with some cold streaks.

His batting average and on-base percentage still need work, but his slugging numbers hint at big upside. The coaching staff keeps focusing on helping him develop more discipline at the plate to go with his natural pop.

Contract Details and Career Earnings

Oscar Colás has navigated a long, sometimes complicated international journey with contracts in several countries. His financial story keeps evolving as he climbs in MLB.

Initial Signing Bonus and Visa Process

Colás started his pro journey in Japan, signing with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2019. That first deal was worth about 15 million yen (about $140,000).

Moving from Cuba to Japan wasn’t easy. He had to handle tough visa requirements and international agreements that Cuban players often face.

After he made his mark in Japan, Colás set his sights on MLB. That meant getting through more international signing rules and visa hurdles.

The Hawks released him, which cleared the way for Colás to chase his MLB dream and go after a bigger contract.

Major League Baseball Contracts

In January 2022, Colás reached his MLB goal by signing a $2.7 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. That was a big jump from his Japanese salary and put him on the map as a real prospect.

The White Sox added him to their big league roster on March 30, 2023. He’s on a standard rookie MLB contract:

• League minimum salary during pre-arbitration years
• Team control for his first six seasons
• Arbitration after about three years

His current pay reflects the league’s rookie contract structure while he works to establish himself.

Performance Incentives and Bonuses

Colás’s contract probably includes different incentives and bonuses, which is pretty typical for younger players. While the details aren’t public, these usually cover things like:

• Roster bonuses for staying on the MLB team
• Performance escalators for hitting certain stats
• Award bonuses for things like Rookie of the Year votes
• All-Star selection bonuses

The White Sox use these incentives to motivate young guys and keep payroll flexible. For Colás, these bonuses offer a shot at much higher earnings beyond his base salary.

If he keeps improving, Colás could land a bigger extension after his rookie deal.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Oscar Colás has started building his financial base since joining MLB. His contract is the main piece of his net worth, but there’s room for growth.

Estimated Net Worth Breakdown

Colás has an estimated net worth of $2,700,000, thanks mostly to his baseball career. As a newer MLB player, his wealth is still catching up to the veterans.

His White Sox contract is the main chunk of his assets. The full salary details aren’t all public, but as a developing outfielder, he’s got a structured deal with incentives.

Baseball players usually build wealth through:

• Salary and signing bonuses
• Performance-based incentives
• Investments (maybe stocks or real estate)
• Retirement accounts

If Colás sticks in MLB and lands a long-term deal, his net worth should climb fast.

Endorsements and Additional Income

Colás isn’t a household name yet, but he’s started to get some endorsement interest. His Cuban roots and unique journey could make him appealing to brands looking to reach Latino fans or baseball diehards.

Up-and-coming players like Colás can pick up extra income from:

• Endorsements (gloves, bats, gear)
• Local ads
• Signing autographs
• Running baseball camps or clinics

These side hustles don’t match his baseball salary, but they help diversify his finances. If his performance picks up, so will his endorsement value.

Business Ventures

Colás hasn’t jumped into any big business projects yet. Right now, he seems focused on making his mark in the majors.

A lot of Cuban-born players eventually invest in businesses in the U.S. and back home. Possible future ventures could be:

• Restaurants or food businesses
• Baseball academies or training centers
• Import/export ventures with Cuban-American ties
• Real estate

Financial advisors usually tell young players to focus on their game and play it safe with investments at first. If Colás sticks around, he’ll probably branch out into business like other successful players.

Impact, Challenges, and Future Outlook

Oscar Colás has hit a few bumps early in his MLB career, from injuries to coaching turnover. His path with the White Sox has had both bright spots and tough setbacks.

Injuries and Recovery

A wrist injury in May slowed down Colás during a key stretch. He was just starting to carve out a role in the White Sox outfield.

The rehab process tested his patience and mental toughness. Team medical staff kept a close eye on him since wrist injuries can be tricky for power hitters.

When he came back, Colás looked a bit rusty and struggled to get his timing back at the plate. His home run numbers dropped for a bit, but he still managed to stick with his approach, especially going to the opposite field.

Trades and Team Management

The White Sox front office, first run by Rick Hahn and now by Chris Getz, has shown mixed confidence in Colás’s development.

Their roster decisions have shaped his playing time and role, sometimes in ways that feel a bit unpredictable.

When the team traded Kendall Graveman, they basically hinted at a rebuild, which could open up more chances for younger guys like Colás.

But with veterans like Yasmani Grandal still around, younger players have to compete for coaching attention and resources.

The front office put their money where their mouth is, giving Colás a $2.7 million signing bonus.

That move showed they really believe in his potential, even if he’s hit a few bumps so far.

Role under New Manager Pedro Grifol

Pedro Grifol took over from Tony La Russa, and Colás has definitely noticed the shift in coaching style.

Grifol likes to give him more consistent at-bats against lefties.

He also pushes for better defensive positioning and cleaner routes in the outfield.

Regular video sessions now play a big part in working on Colás’s swing mechanics.

Grifol seems more patient with Colás than the last manager.

This new leadership has let Colás try out different spots in the lineup and outfield.

Grifol and Colás apparently have a pretty open line of communication.

That clarity seems to help Colás figure out what’s expected and where he’s headed.

Future Prospects and Expectations

Colás has a promising future, even though he faced some early bumps in the road.

He hit .314 with an .895 OPS across three minor league levels, which really shows why he landed as the No. 95 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline.

A lot of industry folks believe Colás could turn into an everyday outfielder with 20+ home run power if he keeps working on his approach, especially against breaking balls.

His swing looks smooth, and you can see the raw power—there’s probably more in the tank.

The White Sox seem to be on a similar timeline as Colás’s development, which feels like good news.

Since his contract is affordable, he could become a valuable part of their core as they try to build a contender.

On defense, he still needs to sharpen his routes and improve his arm accuracy.

If he figures those things out, he could go from just okay in right field to actually being above average.