Former Mariners prospect dealt tough blow with Tommy John surgery

Prelander Berroa, a former Seattle Mariners prospect and current Chicago White Sox pitcher, is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. He will be sidelined for the entire 2025 season and possibly part of 2026.

It’s an unfortunate setback for the young right-hander, who has flashed serious upside as a high-leverage reliever with an electric fastball and ability to generate strikeouts.

Berroa’s journey to this point has been filled with potential. Originally signed by the Minnesota Twins, he was later traded to the San Francisco Giants before landing with the Mariners in 2022 (remember the Donovan Walton trade?).

He put up impressive numbers in Seattle's farm system, finishing the 2022 season with a 2.86 ERA and one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors (13.4 K/9). His fastball regularly hit triple digits, making him one of the most intriguing arms in the organization. However, control remained an issue (5.6 BB/9), preventing him from fully breaking through.

A key piece in the Gregory Santos trade, Prelander Berroa is set to miss 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery

Berroa was a polarizing prospect. At just 5-foot-11, his career as a starter seemed like a difficult path, but he defied those odds by throwing nearly 200 innings combined between 2021 and 2022 before making the switch to the bullpen in hopes of expediting his major league career. MLB Pipeline loved his repertoire, giving him a 70-grade fastball and a 65-grade slider.

Berroa's potential made him a valuable trade piece. In February 2024, the Mariners dealt him to the White Sox as part of the trade for reliever Gregory Santos. Chicago saw Berroa as a future bullpen weapon, and he got a chance to pitch in the majors in 2024. Over 19 innings, he posted a 3.32 ERA while showcasing elite fastball velocity, ranking in the 96th percentile.

Berroa faces a challenging recovery from Tommy John surgery. Recovery from the procedure typically takes 12-18 months, meaning he likely won’t return until late 2026. While this is a major setback, Berroa still has plenty of potential. Many pitchers have come back strong from this surgery. With his natural talent, he could still develop into a high-impact arm if he can make a full recovery.