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Chris Getz
Chris Getz
Chris Getz
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Christopher Ryan Getz (born August 30, 1983) is an American professional baseball executive and former player. A second baseman, Getz played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays from 2008 to 2014. Getz currently serves as the vice president and general manager for the White Sox.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Getz was born in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan, and was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan by Art and Betsy Getz. He attended Grosse Pointe South High School ('South'), where he was a three-time All-Michigan selection in baseball and holds the South career records for batting average (.465), doubles, stolen bases, walks, and saves. Getz was a member of South's State Championship baseball team during his junior year. He shared the title of "Michigan's Mr. Baseball" in 2002 and also lettered in football and golf. Getz was drafted in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2002 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox,[1] but opted to play baseball at Wake Forest University where his father had attended college.[2]

Getz transferred to the University of Michigan to play baseball after just one season. He holds the single season Big Ten records for at bats, hits, and was an All Big Ten Selection in 2004 and 2005. Getz also was a player in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), a premier collegiate summer baseball league for major league prospects. In 2003 and 2004, Getz played for the CCBL's Chatham A's, now known as the Chatham Anglers, and was named a league all-star in 2004.[3][4][5][6][7]

Professional career

[edit]

Chicago White Sox

[edit]
Chris Getz with the Chicago White Sox in 2009

Getz was again selected by the White Sox in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2005 MLB draft.[8] In 2005, he played six games for the Great Falls White Sox, the Sox rookie league affiliate, batting .333 with 4 RBI.[9] He was later promoted to the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators, where he played in 55 games and batted .307 with a home run and 28 RBI.[9] In 2006, Getz played in 130 games for the Double-A Birmingham Barons, and hit .256 with two home runs and 36 RBI.[9] Limited by injury, Getz played in just 72 games for Birmingham during the 2007 season, batting .299 with three home runs and 29 RBI.[9]

In 2008, Getz was named to the All-Star Futures Game,[10] then was called up to the White Sox on August 10, 2008.[11] He made his major league debut against the Kansas City Royals on August 12, where he recorded his first hit and RBI off Royals pitcher Josh Newman in his one and only at-bat during the eighth inning.[12] The next day, he had his first Major League start, replacing Alexei Ramírez at second base. He went 1-for-3 with a single.[13]

With Ramirez moving over to shortstop for the 2009 season, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén announced Getz had won the starting role at second base out of spring training.[14] In 2009, Getz ranked tied for first among AL rookies in multi-hit games (28) and 92.6 stolen base percentage (25-for-27) led the league. After the season, he was named 2009 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster.[15]

Kansas City Royals

[edit]

Getz was traded to the Kansas City Royals on November 6, 2009, along with Josh Fields for Mark Teahen.[16] His career with the Royals was riddled with injuries. He played only 72 games during the 2010 season due first to a strained oblique muscle, and then later due to a concussion after being hit in the head with a baseball.[17] In those games, Getz batted .255 with 18 RBI and 15 stolen bases.[18] He fared somewhat better in 2011, appearing in 118 games and posting a .255 batting average, 26 RBI and 21 stolen bases.[18] During the 2012 season, Getz made three separate trips to the disabled list, first in May with a bruised ribcage, then in June with a lateral strain of the left leg, and finally in August with a broken left thumb. The last injury required surgery, ending his season.[17] Despite the injury history, the Royals signed Getz to a one-year contract on November 30, 2012. The base contract for 2013 was for $1.05 million, with additional performance bonuses totalling $150,000.[17] Getz was optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers in June 2013 after starting the season batting .214 with a home run and 12 RBI. Jarrod Dyson was called down up to replace him.[19] Getz was later recalled on July 18.[20] The Royals did not tender him a contract for 2014 and he became a free agent on December 2, 2013.[21]

Toronto Blue Jays

[edit]

On January 16, 2014, Getz signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[22] He was sent to minor league camp on March 24.[23] Getz started the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was brought up to Toronto on April 29,[24] and designated for assignment on May 11.[25] Getz cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo on May 13.[26] On May 16, Getz announced his retirement from baseball.[27] He had batted .160 in 10 games played for the Blue Jays.[18]

Executive career

[edit]

In 2014, Getz was hired by the Kansas City Royals as their assistant to player development. He worked with them until 2016 when he went to the Chicago White Sox as their director of player development from 2017 to 2020. There, he worked with many talented prospects like Luis Robert Jr., Yoán Moncada, Eloy Jiménez, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, and Dylan Cease. The White Sox farm system was ranked as the best in the MLB in 2017. In 2021, White Sox promoted him as assistant General Manager to then-GM Rick Hahn. Following Hahn's firing on August 22, 2023, Getz was promoted as the White Sox new Senior Vice President and GM on August 31.[28][29]

Personal life

[edit]

His wife, Nicole "Nicky" Getz, was a contestant on The Amazing Race 23, where she was teamed up with David DeJesus's wife, Kim.[30]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chris Getz

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chris Getz (born August 30, 1983) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and the current senior vice president and general manager of the Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). Getz was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2005 MLB Draft out of the University of Michigan, where he played college baseball. He made his MLB debut with the White Sox on April 28, 2008, and played parts of seven seasons across three teams, including the White Sox (2008–2009), Kansas City Royals (2010–2013), and Toronto Blue Jays (2014). Over 459 games, Getz batted .250 with 3 home runs, 111 RBIs, and 89 stolen bases, establishing himself as a contact hitter and base stealer during his playing career. After retiring as a player following the 2014 season, he transitioned to front-office roles, beginning with the Royals as a baseball operations assistant in player development. In October 2016, Getz joined the White Sox organization as director of player development, later advancing to assistant of player development. On August 31, 2023, following the dismissal of longtime executive , the White Sox promoted Getz to senior and , a role in which he oversees operations amid the team's rebuilding efforts. Under his leadership, Getz has focused on developing young talent and making cost-effective acquisitions to position the franchise for long-term contention, as evidenced by his comments on the 2025 season and plans for 2026.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and high school

Christopher Ryan Getz was born on August 30, 1983, in , to parents Art and Betsy Getz. His father, Art, attended and played a role in Getz's early exposure to , as the family followed Demon Deacons athletics closely while living in the area. Getz was raised in , where he developed an interest in amid the region's strong sports culture. Getz attended , graduating in 2002. As a standout , he earned first-team All-State honors in for three consecutive seasons from 2000 to 2002. During his junior year in 2001, Getz helped lead the Blue Devils to the Michigan Division 1 state championship, contributing significantly to the team's success with his contact hitting and defensive skills at second base. In his senior season, he batted .465, setting a school record for average while also excelling in the field with strong range and sure hands, and he shared the award as Michigan's top high school player. Following his senior year, Getz was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft but chose not to sign, instead committing to play college baseball at Wake Forest University.

College career

Getz enrolled at Wake Forest University in 2002 and played his freshman season for the Demon Deacons of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2003, appearing in 52 games while batting .305 with 57 hits in 187 at-bats. After one year, he transferred to the University of Michigan, as Wake Forest proved not to be a good fit socially and academically, and he was drawn to the program under new head coach Rich Maloney. At , Getz played two seasons (2004–2005) for the Wolverines in the , posting a combined .375 over 119 games with 175 hits in 467 at-bats. In 2004, his first year with the team, he hit .364 while leading the squad in runs (52), hits (87), and total bases (116), earning All-Big Ten First Team honors as a . The following season in 2005, Getz batted .386 and was again named to the All-Big Ten First Team, while also receiving District V Player of the Year recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Over his career, he set single-season Big Ten records for at-bats (239 in 2004) and hits (88 in 2005), marks that still stand. His overall across both schools was .355. During the summer of 2004, Getz played for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox in the , where he batted .293. Getz's collegiate success culminated in the 2005 MLB Draft, where he was selected by the in the fourth round (125th overall pick). He signed with the organization for a $225,000 bonus shortly thereafter.

MLB playing career

Chicago White Sox

Following his selection by the in the fourth round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of the , Getz signed a minor league contract on June 9, 2005. He began his professional career that summer with the Great Falls White Sox in the Rookie-level Pioneer League before being promoted to the Class A Kannapolis Intimidators of the later in the season. In 2006 and 2007, Getz advanced to Double-A with the of the Southern League, where he honed his skills as a and base stealer, posting a combined .282 over those two years. By 2008, he reached Triple-A with the of the , batting .280 in 115 games and earning a midseason nod to the . Getz made his MLB debut on August 12, 2008, as a for the White Sox against the at U.S. Cellular Field, going 0-for-1 in a pinch-hitting appearance. He appeared in 21 games that season, primarily as a utility , hitting .236 with one RBI. In 2009, Getz secured the everyday second base role, playing 96 games and batting .273 with two home runs, 31 RBIs, and 25 while leading the with a 92.6% stolen base success rate. Over his two seasons with the White Sox, Getz appeared in 117 games, compiling a .263 , two home runs, 32 RBIs, and 26 , while providing solid defense at second base. Getz's tenure with the White Sox ended on November 6, 2009, when he was traded to the along with infielder Josh Fields in exchange for outfielder .

Kansas City Royals

Getz joined the via trade in November 2009 and spent the next four seasons (2010–2013) with the organization as a and utility . In 2010, he appeared in 72 games, batting .237 with 15 stolen bases. He became the primary in 2011, playing 118 games and hitting .255 with 21 stolen bases. Getz continued in a starting role in 2012 (64 games, .275 average) and 2013 (78 games, .220 average, 1 ). Over his Royals tenure, Getz played 332 games, batting .248 with 1 , 79 RBIs, and 61 stolen bases. He was non-tendered by the Royals in December 2013.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 16, 2014, Getz signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to Major League spring training. Following his release from the via non-tender in December 2013, this deal provided Getz an opportunity to compete for a roster spot as infield depth. Getz began the 2014 season with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the , and was called up to the Major Leagues on April 29 when the team selected his contract from the minors. He appeared in 10 games as a utility infielder, primarily providing defensive versatility at second base during a period of injuries and slumps in the position. In limited action, Getz recorded a .160 with 4 hits in 25 at-bats, including one double and two stolen bases, but struggled offensively with no home runs or RBIs. On May 5, 2014, the Blue Jays designated Getz for assignment to make room on the roster, and after clearing waivers, he was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo. Rather than reporting to the minors amid ongoing performance challenges, Getz elected to retire from on May 16, 2014, at age 30. Over his seven-season Major League career with the White Sox, Royals, and Blue Jays, Getz appeared in 459 games, batting .250 with 3 home runs and 111 RBIs while stealing 89 bases. Renowned as a defensive specialist, he was valued for his contact-oriented approach, high relative to his average, and ability to play multiple infield positions effectively.

Executive career

Kansas City Royals

Following his release from the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 2014, Chris Getz transitioned to a front-office role with the , where he was hired on November 19, 2014, as a baseball operations assistant. In this position, he supported player personnel and development efforts, marking his entry into baseball operations after a nine-year playing career. By early 2015, Getz's responsibilities centered on player development, where he received daily reports from the Royals' minor league affiliates and relayed key insights to the director of minor league operations. He traveled to observe teams, evaluating player production, health, and overall performance to inform organizational decisions. These duties positioned him to assist in scouting and player evaluation processes during the Royals' successful 2015 campaign, which culminated in a World Series victory. Getz remained with the Royals through the 2016 season, contributing to the refinement of their player development systems that had bolstered the team's recent achievements. He departed the organization in October 2016 to pursue further opportunities in baseball operations.

Chicago White Sox front office

In October 2016, Chris Getz was hired by the as director of player development, marking his return to the organization where he had previously played. In this position, he managed the day-to-day operations of the system, including oversight of and international scouting efforts, and focused on enhancing player evaluation and training protocols. Under Getz's leadership, the White Sox farm system earned high rankings, such as No. 1 overall by Baseball America in 2018, reflecting effective talent pipeline management. As director, Getz played a pivotal role in the development of prospects like Luis Robert, signed internationally in 2017, whom he praised for his rapid progress through the minors, including a breakout 2019 season with 32 home runs across three levels. He emphasized holistic player growth, integrating physical conditioning, skill refinement, and performance analytics to accelerate advancements in the system. Getz's efforts also extended to restructuring minor league affiliations and operations in response to MLB's evolving landscape, ensuring alignment with major league standards. In February 2021, Getz was promoted to assistant for player development and , expanding his responsibilities to include strategic input on talent acquisition and across the organization. This role allowed him to further embed data-driven approaches into , such as advanced metrics for international signings and draft decisions, while continuing to supervise the academy and infrastructure. Getz contributed to building an analytics-oriented scouting department, collaborating on tools and processes that informed player assessments and development plans, which helped sustain the farm system's competitiveness. He was involved in the November 2022 hiring of as manager, drawing on his prior professional relationship with Grifol from their time in the organization. Getz's foundational experience as a operations assistant in player development with the Royals from 2015 to 2016 informed his innovative strategies in .

General manager

On August 31, 2023, Chris Getz was appointed senior vice president and general manager of the , replacing and Kenny Williams in the wake of the team's disappointing performance. This promotion marked Getz's transition to the top executive role within the organization, where he immediately emphasized a long-term rebuild centered on player development and cost-conscious roster management. During the 2023–2024 offseason, Getz pursued a strategy of asset accumulation through trades and low-risk signings to support the rebuild. A key move was trading starting pitcher to the Padres on March 14, 2024, in exchange for prospects , Jairo Iriarte, , and Samuel Zavala, bolstering the White Sox's farm system without committing to high salaries. Getz also focused on inexpensive acquisitions, such as minor league deals and low-level trades, to add depth while avoiding long-term financial obligations. In the subsequent 2024–2025 offseason, this approach continued with the signing of veteran left-hander Martín to a one-year, $5 million on January 21, 2025, including a mutual option for 2026 that later declined in November 2025 due to injury limitations during the season. The 2024 season under Getz's leadership was marked by significant challenges, as the White Sox finished with a 41–121 record, tying the modern MLB mark for most losses in a single season. In response to the team's struggles, including a 21-game losing streak, Getz fired manager on August 8, 2024, and promoted bench coach to interim manager for the remainder of the year. Despite the poor results, Getz prioritized youth integration by promoting young players and prospects to the major leagues, laying the groundwork for future contention amid the rebuild. Getz's oversight extended into the 2025 season, where the White Sox continued their rebuild with a strong emphasis on player development and prospect evaluation under manager . The team traded ace pitcher to the Sox on December 11, 2024, acquiring four top prospects including catcher in a deal designed to accelerate the farm system's talent pipeline. Prospects like were promoted to the major leagues during the season. However, the season yielded another subpar performance, with a 60–102 record that prompted internal review meetings in September 2025 to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. Looking toward the 2025–2026 offseason, Getz has outlined plans prioritizing internal development and short-term veteran additions over major free-agent splashes, reflecting the ongoing rebuild philosophy, including the exercise of outfielder Luis Robert Jr.'s $20 million club option for 2026 on November 4, 2025. With Pérez opting out and creating a void in the rotation, Getz indicated a focus on filling pitching needs through one-year deals or trades rather than multi-year commitments. He expressed optimism for 2026, anticipating more wins through the maturation of the young core and continued emphasis on player growth, though specifics on targets remain fluid as reviews conclude.

Personal life

Family

Chris Getz married Nicole "Nicky" Korinek on January 28, 2012. The couple has three children. Their first child, a son named Luke, was born in 2014. Getz was traded to the in November 2009 and played there from 2010 to 2013. After retiring as a player, he joined the Royals' , and the family relocated from to the area in January 2015. They moved briefly to in early 2014 after he signed with the Blue Jays, before returning to the area that summer. The family settled in the area after Getz joined the White Sox in 2016.

Other activities

Getz's wife, Nicole, participated in the 23rd season of the CBS reality competition in 2013, teaming up with Kim DeJesus, the wife of former MLB outfielder . The pair, known as the "Baseball Wives," competed through eight legs of the global race before being eliminated in sixth place at in , . The Getz family has resided in , a suburb north of . This location has facilitated personal connections, including a close friendship with Chicago Cubs president of operations Jed , as both executives live in the same community and have developed a over shared experiences in leadership. In August 2023, Getz marked his 40th birthday just one day before his promotion to of the White Sox, a personal milestone that coincided with a pivotal moment in his executive career.

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/chris-getz-460051
  2. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/bio/_/id/29207/chris-getz
  3. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/release-chris-getz-named-new-white-sox-general-manager-8-31-23
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/getzch01.shtml
  5. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/white-sox-name-chris-getz-director-of-player-development-206811464
  6. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38298410/white-sox-promote-chris-getz-general-manager-role
  7. https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-getz-on-state-of-2025-white-sox
  8. https://www.si.com/mlb/whitesox/onsi/news/how-chris-getz-plans-to-approach-free-agency-with-white-sox
  9. https://mgoblue.com/news/2011/8/31/Q_amp_A_with_Former_Wolverine_Chris_Getz
  10. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/06/01/chris-getz-sees-hope-as-gm-of-rebuilding-chicago-white-sox/83939940007/
  11. https://grossepointesouthbaseball.com/hall-of-fame-2024-1
  12. https://www.mlive.com/sports/2023/08/former-university-of-michigan-star-named-chicago-white-sox-gm.html
  13. https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Chris_Getz
  14. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/college.php?p=getzch01
  15. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_college/2003~20094/
  16. https://mgoblue.com/news/2005/1/6/baseball_america_names_getz_preseason_all_american
  17. https://mgoblue.com/news/2004/5/30/getz_roberts_named_to_all_big_ten_tournament_team
  18. https://mgoblue.com/news/2005/6/28/All_American_Getz_Among_Three_All_Region_Selections
  19. https://mgoblue.com/news/2005/6/10/Getz_Selected_District_V_Player_of_the_Year_by_NCBWA
  20. https://mgoblue.com/news/2005/6/7/getz_heads_list_of_six_picked_on_first_day_of_mlb_draft
  21. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/5588-chris-getz/
  22. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=getz--001chr
  23. https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-sign-getz-to-minor-league-deal/c-66764092
  24. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/01/blue-jays-sign-chris-getz.html
  25. https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/transactions/_/name/tor/season/2014
  26. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2014.shtml
  27. https://www.sportsnet.ca/blogs/blue-jays-rundown/getz-retires-after-losing-job-with-blue-jays/
  28. https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-add-former-infielder-chris-getz-to-front-office/c-101928890
  29. https://www.mlb.com/news/former-royals-infielder-chris-getz-to-join-baseball-operations-staff/c-101917972
  30. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article4020207.html
  31. https://www.mlb.com/news/new-chapter-for-former-royals-second-baseman-chris-getz-in-behind-the-scenes-role/c-124540278
  32. https://www.soxon35th.com/white-sox-officially-name-chris-getz-senior-vice-president-general-manager/amp/
  33. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/10/21/chris-getz-finds-great-appeal-in-new-white-sox-front-office-job/
  34. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/09/11/he-didnt-slow-down-white-sox-director-of-player-development-chris-getz-is-impressed-with-luis-roberts-season/
  35. https://www.milb.com/news/chris-getz-getting-comfortable-in-new-role-as-chicago-white-sox-player-219389912
  36. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2365490/2021/02/03/chicago-white-sox-chris-getz-minor-league-baseball/
  37. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-white-sox-announce-2021-player-development-staff
  38. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/08/white-sox-name-chris-getz-general-manager.html
  39. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/3/22264516/white-sox-promote-chris-getz-announce-player-development-staff
  40. https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-getz-named-white-sox-general-manager
  41. https://www.mlb.com/news/dylan-cease-padres-white-sox-trade
  42. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-white-sox-agree-to-terms-on-a-one-year-contract-with-pitcher-martin-perez-designate-ron-marinaccio-for-assignment
  43. https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-record-121st-loss-of-2024-season
  44. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40777036/white-sox-fire-manager-pedro-grifol-al-record-tying-skid
  45. https://www.soxon35th.com/chris-getz-build-around-this-white-sox-core/
  46. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/2025.shtml
  47. https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-trade-garrett-crochet-to-red-sox
  48. https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-robert-jr-2026-white-sox-option-picked-up
  49. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/white-soxs-gm-chris-getz-discusses-free-agency-luis-robert.html
  50. https://registry.theknot.com/nicole-korinek-chris-getz-january-2012-il/119328
  51. https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/how-former-blue-jay-chris-getz-ended-up-leading-a-rebuild-of-white-sox/
  52. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/new-white-sox-general-manager-chris-getz-what-you-need-to-know/
  53. https://www.mlb.com/news/baseball-wives-on-the-amazing-race/c-58777170
  54. https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/exclusive-nicole-nicky-getz-and-kim-dejesus-talk-the-amazing-race-%28part-2%29-15583.php
  55. https://amazingrace.fandom.com/wiki/Nicky_%26_Kim
  56. https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/chris-getz-promoted-gm-within-re-energize-white-sox
  57. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5536229/2024/06/04/chicago-cubs-white-sox-jed-hoyer-chris-getz/
  58. https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-getz-discusses-first-six-months-as-white-sox-gm
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