CHICAGO -- Charlie Tilson, the local product from Wilmette, Ill., and New Trier High School who was acquired by the White Sox from St. Louis in the Zach Duke trade on Sunday, will join the big league team on Tuesday in Detroit.
General manager Rick Hahn made the announcement Monday on a conference call after the 3 p.m. CT non-waiver Trade Deadline, adding that Tilson can play all three outfield spots but will get most of his playing time in center.
"Tilson is an interesting kid," said Hahn of his newest outfielder, who played several years ago on one of the organization's Area Code teams for Nathan Durst, one of the organization's scouts. "High character kid, plus-speed, solid defense, very good bat-to-ball skills.
"We think he has a chance to potentially be an everyday guy out there in center, but it will come down to how that bat progresses. There is certainly a power element that is the one tool behind the others. In time, we feel he could play an important role on a very good team. The extent of that role, we'll figure out together in the coming months as he gets an opportunity."
Outfielder J.B. Shuck was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Tilson, who hit .282 with 16 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 34 RBIs, 53 runs, 15 stolen bases and a .345 on-base percentage over 100 games with Triple-A Memphis. Acquiring the 23-year-old stood as the lone White Sox move prior to the Deadline, leaving White Sox fans dismayed by the inactivity amidst this disappointing 2016 season.
"There are certainly multiple pieces here that are capable of playing important roles on a championship club," Hahn said. "It's extraordinarily frustrating for all of us that it hasn't played out, other than the first six weeks or so of the season, it hasn't played out as such. We share that disappointment and frustration White Sox fans are feeling."