White Sox sign Olympic speed skater Eddy Alvarez to minor league deal
During the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, short track speed skater Eddy Alvarez participated in the men’s 500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, and 5,000m relay events. He and Team USA brought home silver medals for their efforts in the relay.
With the Olympics behind him, Alvarez is turning his attention to another sport he has always enjoyed playing, baseball.
The 24-year-old has an older brother who was selected in the 26th round of the 2000 Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Alvarez, who is a former shortstop, mentioned a possible return to the game prior to the Olympics.
“I plan to go back to baseball after this Alvarez told MiLB.com. That’s the thing. I’ve never, ever been able to choose between baseball and skating, which is why I still juggle the two sports in my life. This was one of my goals — always to be an Olympic skater — and the other one is to be a professional baseball player.”
On Tuesday, Alvarez posted a video of his minor league contract with the White Sox on his Instagram account.
The White Sox have confirmed the signing.
Alvarez has wasted little time working to get the rust off and is reportedly already in Arizona working out with other White Sox minor leaguers.
For Salt Lake Community College in 2011, Alvarez hit .311 with two home runs, 16 doubles, four triples, seven steals, and 46 RBI in 63 games.
