Over the past several seasons, the Chicago White Sox built a reputation for aggressively stockpiling non roster invitees each spring.
Under general manager Chris Getz, camp rosters often featured a revolving door of veterans, depth arms, and reclamation projects competing for limited opportunities.

This year, however, the volume has noticeably decreased.
The reason appears straightforward, as much of the projected roster already seems defined before meaningful spring competition even begins.
Still, that has not stopped the front office from quietly adding another intriguing name to the mix.
According to James Fegan, the White Sox signed right handed pitcher Austin Voth to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.
The move did not generate headline buzz, but it fits a pattern emerging under Getz’s leadership.
Voth becomes the third recent addition who left Major League Baseball, refined his craft overseas, and is now attempting a stateside return.
The other two pitchers following a similar path were Erick Fedde and Anthony Kay.
That trend suggests Chicago’s decision makers see strategic value in players who have recalibrated outside the traditional MLB development pipeline.
Voth’s professional résumé spans parts of seven major league seasons across three organizations.
Over 360 career innings, he owns a 4.70 ERA, a number that reflects fluctuation but also periods of legitimate effectiveness.
His first notable breakout stretch came in 2019 with the Washington Nationals.
That year, he made eight starts and delivered a 3.30 ERA across 43 innings, producing 1.1 WAR according to Baseball Reference.
Although that sample size was limited, it showcased his potential as a viable back end starter.
His command sharpened, his sequencing improved, and he demonstrated the ability to navigate lineups multiple times through the order.
The subsequent seasons in Washington proved uneven.
Inconsistency and role fluctuation prevented sustained momentum, forcing Voth to adjust between starting and relief responsibilities.
A career pivot emerged in 2022 after he joined the Baltimore Orioles.
Across 17 starts, he compiled a 3.04 ERA over 83 innings while striking out 72 batters, marking one of the strongest stretches of his major league career.
That performance hinted at untapped upside within a structured rotation role.
However, baseball careers rarely follow linear trajectories, and the following season brought regression.
In 2023, Voth struggled to maintain consistency with Baltimore, posting a 5.90 ERA across 34 innings.
Command wavered, contact quality increased, and his margin for error narrowed significantly.
Rather than exiting the league entirely, Voth retooled once more in 2024 with the Seattle Mariners.
Transitioning primarily into relief, he logged 61 innings with a 3.69 ERA and an impressive 1.049 WHIP, striking out 61 hitters.
That bullpen success reflected adaptability, as he leaned more heavily on refined pitch usage and situational execution.
For evaluators, it demonstrated that his arsenal remained competitive when deployed in shorter bursts.
Despite that rebound, Voth elected to continue his career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
He signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines and delivered a solid campaign overseas.
Across 130 innings, he recorded a 3.88 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 95 strikeouts.
Most notably, he limited free passes to just 29 walks, signaling improved control in a league known for disciplined hitters.

A second statistical summary from 2025 reflected similar steadiness, with a 3.96 ERA over 125 innings and a strong strikeout to walk ratio.
Those numbers suggest that his mechanical adjustments and pitch refinement translated effectively against high level international competition.
The White Sox now hope that those refinements carry forward into MLB action.
Returning pitchers often report that time in Japan enhances command discipline, pitch sequencing awareness, and overall mound maturity.
For Chicago, the signing represents calculated upside with minimal financial exposure.
Minor league contracts with non roster invites offer flexibility while expanding depth in a pitching staff seeking stability.
The competition for roster spots remains real.
While Voth faces an uphill climb to secure a major league role, his blend of starting and relief experience strengthens his case.
If he demonstrates sharp command and sustained velocity in Cactus League action, coaches may view him as rotation insurance or multi inning bullpen depth.
Versatility carries significant value over a 162 game season, particularly for teams navigating transitional phases.
Under Getz, the White Sox appear committed to identifying undervalued pitching assets.
Rather than relying solely on high profile acquisitions, the organization continues exploring reclamation pathways that blend data analysis with developmental opportunity.
Voth has yet to appear in a spring training game for Chicago.
However, early bullpen reports indicate that he is working deliberately on pitch sequencing and refining movement profiles.
If mechanical tweaks implemented in Japan improved his release consistency, his margin for error could widen considerably.
Even modest gains in strike efficiency can shift outcomes dramatically at the major league level.
For the White Sox, this is less about immediate headlines and more about strategic depth accumulation.
A productive spring from Voth could transform a quiet signing into one of the more efficient roster decisions of camp.

In a division where incremental improvements often separate contenders from rebuilders, value additions matter.
Austin Voth’s return to Major League Baseball now intersects with Chicago’s evolving blueprint, offering both risk and potential reward.