Marco Paddy out as head of White Sox international operations

BALTIMORE — Marco Paddy, the longtime head of White Sox international operations, is leaving the organization as general manager Chris Getz looks to shake up a pipeline that hasn't produced much in recent years.

Paddy, the 2022 International Scout of the Year, was in his 12th season as special assistant to the general manager, international operations. He directed the Sox' Latin American efforts with an emphasis on international signings.

"We’ve decided to go a different direction with a restructuring of our international department," said Chris Getz, the Sox' former farm director who just completed his first full year as general manager. "We thank Marco for his work and wish him well in the future."

During Paddy's tenure, the Sox signed more than 150 international free agents, including outfielder Luis Robert Jr., Jose Abreu and Fernando Tatis — who was traded away before he became a star. But recent international signing classes have not been as fruitful. Infielder Eduardo Herrera, who became the highest rated non-Cuban international signee in franchise history in January, struggled in the Dominican Summer League. And expensive signees Oscar Colas, Yoelqui Cespedes, Micker Adolfo, Norge Vera and Yolbert Sánchez have been slow to develop.

The Sox are looking to improve their operation in the Dominican Republic.

Bryan Ramos recalled; Baldwin to IL

Forty minutes before Wednesday's game, the third baseman Bryan Ramos was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, and infielder Brooks Baldwin placed on the injured list with a sprained right wrist.

Ramos arrived on a hot streak, having hit safely in his last 15 games with Charlotte with three homers during that stretch.

He is batting .242/.320/.387 with 10 homers, 18 doubles and 44 RBI over 88 games between Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte.

Ramos was 9-for-46 in 15 games over two stints with the Sox. Baldwin, who had been nursing the injury, entered Tuesday's 9-0 loss to the Orioles when third baseman Migual Vargas left with a cut on his eye after craching into left fielder Andrew Benintendi. Baldwin, whose wrist was still wrapped Wednesday, is batting .211 with two homers in 33 games.

No lingering issues for Vargas

Vargas was not in the lineup Wednesday.

“He’s doing good, I think," interim manager Grady Sizemore said. "He’s got a little cut on that eye, so we’ll give him today and off [Thursday, an off day], and we’ll see kind of how he’s feeling after that. No lingering issues or vision issues. He took a pretty good shot. “

Robert’s confidence takes a hit

Robert entered Wednesday batting .216/.271/.390 and was homerless in his last 15 games. The 2023 All-Star was 13-for-52 (.250) in his last 13 as he struggles with pitch selection and searches to find his timing, hitting coach Marcus Thames said.

"Right now he's just expanding [the strike zone]," Thames said. "And there is some confidence lacking. Just have to let him know how freaking good of a player he is and get him to trust himself, swing at good pitching and finish strong."

Those who read Robert's body language as being indifferent couldn't be more wrong, Thames said. What they're seeing is a confidence issue.

"No, no, no, no, no," Thames said. "He cares. He just got out of the cage right now. He's working his [butt] off. He really cares.

"That's confidence. You lose your confidence, you can see that."