Bennett Sousa #62

Graduated in 2014 from the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla...was named a Second-Team All-American by Perfect Game in 2014...was also named to Perfect Game’s Underclass All-America teams in 2012 and 13'...went undrafted out of high school...Was a National Champion (2015) and worked mostly as a reliever in four seasons at Virginia, appearing in a total of 90 games (three starts)...was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but opted to return to Virginia for his senior season...led the Cavaliers with six saves as a senior in 2018...made appearances with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Code League (2015) and the Keene Swamp Bats (2015-16) of the New England Collegiate League during his college career...Selected by Chicago (AL) in the 10th round of the 2018 draft...signed by White Sox scout Abe Fernández...Was claimed off waivers by the Astros on Sept. 3, the last of five organizations he was a member of during the 2023 calendar year...began the year with the White Sox, was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Feb. 22, traded to the Brewers on April 9 and claimed off waivers by the Tigers on Aug. 29 before joining Houston...ended the regular season on the Astros' active roster...has accrued 156 days of MLB service time across two seasons (2022-23)...is signed to a one-year contract through the 2024 season...Due to being recalled to the Astros active roster after Sept. 1, 2023, Bennett was not eligible for the team's postseason run...he was phenomenal in his September stint with the Astros, working 6.1 scoreless innings while not allowing a hit in five of his first six appearances...Astros GM Dana Brown said he "probably" would have made the club's playoff roster had he been eligible.

2023

Had a winding route through the 2023 season, beginning at the Triple-A level with the Reds and ending at the Major League level with the Astros...Also had stops at the big league and Minor League levels with the Brewers and a brief stint in the Tigers organization...Recorded a combined 4.00 ERA (4ER/9IP) in seven Major League outings, appearing in two games with the Brewers and five with the Astros...Was claimed on waivers by the Astros from the Tigers on Sept. 3 and was recalled on Sept. 14...Had a strong finish to the year with Houston, making five scoreless appearances (6.1 IP) while surrendering just one hit and striking out eight batters...Tossed two perfect innings of relief on Sept. 23 vs. Kansas City, matching his single-game career high for innings...Set his single-game career high with three strikeouts through 1.2 scoreless innings on Sept. 23 vs. Baltimore...Had stints at the Minor League level with the Reds, Brewers, Tigers and Astros, going 2-2 with a 4.43 ERA (10ER/20.1IP) and one save in 20 games...Made 19 of his 20 Minor League appearances at the Triple-A level...Was on the IL from June 9-Aug. 7 due to left shoulder nerve irritation while with the Brewers...Began his calendar year with the White Sox and was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Feb. 22...Spent Spring Training with the Reds and opened the regular season with Triple-A Louisville...Designated for assignment by the Reds on April 5 and acquired in a trade by the Brewers on April 9...Was claimed off waivers by the Tigers on Aug. 29 and then claimed off waivers by the Astros on Sept. 3...Was not eligible for the postseason due to being recalled by the Astros on Sept. 3...Was a member of the taxi squad, traveling and working out with the club throughout its run.

2022

Made his first career Opening Day roster...Went 3-0, 8.41 with one save in 25 relief appearances for the White Sox before he was optioned on 6/14 to Class AAA Charlotte, where he spent the rest of the season...On 4/8 at Det threw a scoreless inning in his Major League debut...Earned his first career strikeout in his second appearance, on 4/9 at Det (Austin Meadows)...Earned his first career win on 4/27 vs KC (7-3 win)...On 5/8 at Bos earned his first career save in the 3-2 win.

2021

Posted a 3.61 ERA (19 ER/47.1 IP) with 71 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP over 41 relief appearances between Class AA Birmingham and Class AAA Charlotte...Averaged 13.5 strikeouts per 9.0 IP between the two stops...Was a non-roster invitee to spring training … began the season with Birmingham before being promoted to Charlotte on 7/20...Went 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA (7 ER/24.2 IP) and 39 strikeouts over 22 appearances at home...Ended the season with five scoreless relief appearances with the Knights from 9/11-25 (4.2 IP).

2020

Did not pitch following the cancellation of the minor-league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic...Spent time at the White Sox alternate training site in Schaumburg, Ill., during the season.

2019

Combined to go 3-6 with a 2.49 ERA (18 ER/65.0 IP) and 74 strikeouts over 43 relief appearances between Class A Kannapolis, Class A Winston-Salem and Class AA Birmingham....Ranked among White Sox organizational leaders in saves (T4th, 8) and ERA (10th, 2.49)....Held left-handed hitters to a .205 average (16-78)....Did not allow an earned run over seven appearances from 4/7-23 (10.0 IP).

2018

Combined to go 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA (5 ER/35.1 IP), five saves and 42 strikeouts over 20 relief appearances between Advanced Rookie Great Falls and Kannapolis in his professional debut...Averaged 10.7 strikeouts per 9.0 IP with a 0.88 WHIP....Held left-handed hitters to a .079 (3-38) average...did not allow a home run all season...Went 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA (9 ER/49.0 IP) as a reliever...made four starts with the Dash, going 0-3 with an 8.74 ERA (11 ER/11.1 IP)....Was recommended/signed by Abe Fernández.