Canaan Smith-Njigba Signs Minor-League Deal with White Sox

Outfielder makes Double-A debut after joining organization in August

Feb. 6, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Canaan Smith-Njigba, a former high draft pick, has signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox and made his debut with their Double-A affiliate Birmingham Barons on Tuesday. In his first game, Smith-Njigba went 2-for-3 with a solo home run.

Why it matters

Smith-Njigba was a highly touted prospect coming out of college, but has struggled to find his footing in the minor leagues. This deal with the White Sox represents an opportunity for him to revive his professional career and potentially work his way up to the major league roster.

The details

The 24-year-old outfielder signed with the White Sox on August 7 and was assigned to their Double-A affiliate Birmingham Barons. In his debut game on Tuesday, Smith-Njigba went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, showing flashes of the potential that made him a high draft pick.

  • Smith-Njigba signed with the White Sox on August 7, 2026.
  • Smith-Njigba made his debut with the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday.

The players

Canaan Smith-Njigba

A 24-year-old outfielder who was a former high draft pick but has struggled to find success in the minor leagues.

Chicago White Sox

The Major League Baseball team that signed Canaan Smith-Njigba to a minor-league contract in August 2026.

Birmingham Barons

The Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, where Canaan Smith-Njigba made his debut.

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What’s next

If Smith-Njigba continues to perform well at the Double-A level, he could earn a promotion to the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate or even get a chance to make his MLB debut later in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This signing represents a low-risk, high-upside move for the White Sox as they look to bolster their minor league depth and potentially uncover a hidden gem in Smith-Njigba, who was once considered a top prospect.