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Noah Schultz via MiLB.com

FutureSox: 2024 preseason Chicago White Sox top 30 prospect list

By / / Top 30

The FutureSox 2024 preseason Chicago White Sox top 30 prospect list was derived from the top 30 lists compiled by writers and staff members here at FutureSox. Each prospect was assigned a number from 1-30 based on their spot on each individuals top 30, and then added up to come to the ranking they got on the collective list. Colson Montgomery received 150 points, with 30 points on each list. This is the list from the people who watch the White Sox affiliates every day, and bring you everything you need to know.

1. Colson Montgomery, SS (No change)

Drafted 1st Round (22nd overall) in 2021

Colson Montgomery is one of the best prospects in all of baseball and he’s been considered a top 15 overall prospect in the sport for most publications. Keith Law of The Athletic is optimistic about a shortstop future but he ranked him at #42 overall. The 22-year-old ranked 8th overall at ESPN and 9th for MLB Pipeline. Fangraphs and Baseball America have slotted the infielder at #13 overall and #15 overall respectively.

The former first rounder out of Huntingburg, Indiana missed most of the 2023 season due to a back issue to start his year. After a brief jaunt through the Arizona Complex League, the 6-3 205 pounder blitzed through the South Atlantic League on his way to Double-A Birmingham before finishing his campaign as one of the most heralded players the Arizona Fall League. Montgomery posted a 129 wRC+ with the Barons and produced a 15% walk rate. He should return to Birmingham to start the 2024 season.

Courtesy of Prospects Live

The former basketball player is a big-framed lefty hitting shortstop with a massive offensive ceiling. Montgomery has displayed advanced plate discipline and plus power potential with adept decision-making in regards to swing decisions as well. The Corey Seager comparisons don’t seem far-fetched anymore. The infielder is just an average runner and he could ultimately end up at third base. The White Sox are committed to keeping him at shortstop though and his offensive profile suggests All Star upside regardless.

2. Noah Schultz, LHP (No change)

  • Drafted 1st Round (26th overall) in 2022

A forearm strain at the end of Spring Training changed the outlook for Noah Schultz’s 2023 campaign. While the initial plan was to deploy Schultz deliberately throughout the year, the White Sox were extra cautious and waited until June 2 to assign him to full season professional baseball at Low-A. Schultz proved to be healthy following his arrival in Kannapolis, as he made three consecutive starts in June. He followed that up with seven straight outings from July 2 to August 13 before being shut down due to a left shoulder impingement. In 10 Single-A starts Schultz finished with a 1.33 ERA and 0.852 WHIP over 27 innings while striking out 38 and walking six.

The 20-year-old takes advantage of his 6-foot-9, 220 pound frame by shortening the distance to home plate and offers an arm slot that is deceptive to hitters. Schultz gradually would increase his workload per start with the intent to pitch in three-to-four innings an outing. He managed to pitch into the fourth inning in his final three starts of 2023. Schultz added a sinker to his pitch mix that sits low-to-mid-90’s and combines it primarily with what was regarded as among the best sliders in the 2022 draft class. His changeup remains a work in progress. The lanky lefty showcases elite body control on the mound, fills up the strike zone and offers a top-of-the-rotation ceiling. His season ended abruptly with a shoulder impingement and the White Sox believe it was due to inconsistencies in his throwing program.

Schultz is expected to begin the 2024 season at a full-season affiliate. The southpaw could be one of the best pitching prospects in baseball but he needs to amass innings this year. The Oswego, Illinois product ranked 35th overall on the top 100 prospect’s list at Fangraphs while ranking 40th overall on the list at Baseball America. MLB Pipeline slotted him in at #57 overall while Kiley McDaniel of ESPN put him at #57 overall. Keith Law of The Athletic ranked the lefty at #79 on his list as well.

3. Bryan Ramos, 3B (Previous: 4, +1)

  • Signed out of Cuba in 2018.

Bryan Ramos is one of those guys who seems to have been around forever, and who just steadily keeps climbing prospect lists; and he’s still only 21 years old. After signing with the White Sox as a 16-year-old in 2018, the right-handed slugger has been one of the mainstays in an otherwise fluctuating White Sox farm system. His 2023 season got under way late, as he missed a chunk of the early season with an abdominal injury, but while he was on the field, he showed more of what the talented Cuban can turn into. He went hitless in only 22 of his 81 games (4 in Kannapolis, 77 in Birmingham) and posted a .272 average with an exciting .826 OPS (14 home runs, 10 doubles and a triple) with the Barons, further cementing his status as one of the premier hitting prospects in this White Sox system. With elite exit velocities and a sub-22% strikeout rate, Ramos seems to be fully tapping into his potential as a big league hitter.

The knock on Ramos has never been his offensive game, though; it has been the defense. In that department, the Cuban manned third base for the Barons for a substantial 561.1 innings, posting a .924 fielding percentage with 13 errors out of 170 chances. Though not a Moncada-like defender, Ramos made strides at the hot corner, using his newly built-up physique to his advantage, while not losing any quickness or his decent arm. Ramos is going into the 2024 season with a chance to really establish himself as a name to keep into account for the (near) future at third for the White Sox.

Fangraphs lists Ramos as the #51 prospect in their Top 100, slotting him just behind Boston’s Cedanne Rafaela and ahead of Drew Gilbert of the Mets. Baseball America left him unranked, which is unsurprising, given the fact that Rafaela (#94) and Gilbert (#91) also barely made the cut for them. Keith Law of The Athletic placed Ramos as the 69th best prospect in baseball, while Pipeline needs a little more time to hop on the bandwagen; they left him unranked.

4. ​Edgar Quero, C (Previous: 3, -1)

  • Acquired from Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2023

After being one of the best catchers in Single-A at just 19 years old in 2022 with a 150 wRC+, Edgar Quero was acquired at the trade deadline to be the catcher of the future in Chicago. He was aggressively pushed to Double-A to start the 2023 season as the Angels pushed all of their prospects due to desperation to compete soon. His numbers declined but Quero looked better upon arriving in Birmingham and joining the organization. In his first 31 games with the Barons, Quero slashed .277/.366/.393 with continued impressive plate discipline.

He has continued to add size over the past two years but experienced a decline in power with only six home runs last season. He has the strength to add more but his hit tool and approach at the plate is the calling card offensively Quero. He walked at an absurd 17.1% rate while with the Trash Pandas in 2023 which came down to a still excellent 12.7% clip with the Barons. His contact rates as a switch-hitting catcher are impressive as well and he figures to be an above-average contact hitter.

The biggest question mark surrounding Quero has been his defense behind the plate but he has made strides already and is still just 20 years old heading into Spring Training this season. His arm strength is certainly capable behind the dish and his game-calling has steadily improved and earned high regards from players in Birmingham this past summer. He’s currently ranked in the back-end of numerous top 100 lists such while just missing the cut in others. He checks in as high as 58th on Fangraphs top 100 list. Quero still needs time to develop defensively and grow into more power, but he figures to be the primary catcher in Chicago as soon as 2025.

5. Nick Nastrini, RHP (Previous: 8, +3)

  • Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023

The trade deadline last brought many of the top prospects in this farm system including someone who figures to be part of the starting rotation in Chicago very soon. Nick Nastrini is the most league-ready pitcher within the White Sox organization right now and could quickly become a key piece. He pitched in 17 games at the Double-A level with the Dodgers before making four starts with each the Barons and the Knights down the stretch last year. Through his 25 total starts in 2023, Nastrini pitched to a 4.08 ERA with 139 strikeouts across 114.2 innings.

The emergence of his changeup has further enhanced his ability to create whiffs as it pairs well with his sharp slider and powerful fastball. His fastball sits in the mid-90’s with heavy arm side carry. When he’s able to locate that pitch in the upper corners of the zone, it can be nearly impossible to barrel especially for right-handed hitters. The slider generates whiffs but can tend to be more of a pitch to force swings rather than one that lands in the zone frequently.

At 24 years old, Nastrini is advanced with his stuff but his progression will ultimately come down to the command. He allowed just 10 hits across his four starts in Triple-A in September but also walked 10 batters in those starts. He sat around 4.5 BB/9 between his time with the Dodgers and in Charlotte last season. However, If he can lower his walk rate to around the 2.95 BB/9 rate he displayed in Birmingham, he has the makings of at least a mid-rotation pitcher. Aside from Schultz, Nastrini may have the highest upside of any other starter in the system given his four-pitch mix with each offering showing above-average upside.

FutureSox #6-10

6. Jake Eder, LHP (No change)

  • Acquired from Miami Marlins in 2023

Left-hander Jake Eder, acquired from the Miami Marlins in the last trade of the Kenny Williams/Rick Hahn regime (the controversial Jake Burger deal), once was considered one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in baseball. The 6’4 Floridian at one point ranked as high as #54 on Fangraphs’ Top 100 list, but injuries held him back — he did not pitch from 2021 until the start of 2023, and when he returned, the results were less than stellar.

After posting a 4.66 ERA with Single-A Jupiter for the Marlins (a 9.2 inning stint which saw him strike out 10 and walk 5), the Marlins moved the then-24-year-old to AA Pensacola, the same team he pitched for like an All-Star (1.77 ERA, 99 K’s in 71.1 IP) before getting injured in 2021. Eder re-found some of what made him such a highly touted pitching prospect coming out of Vanderbilt, showing flashes of the absolutely devastating slider that made him famous in college. He pitched 29.2 pretty decent innings for Pensacola before the White Sox acquired him on August 1st and placed him in Birmingham, where everything went completely sideways.

Eder got absolutely shelled while with the Barons, to the tune of an 11.42 ERA and a 2.43 WHIP in 17.1 innings. Eder was all over the place, walking 15, giving up 27 hits, 22 runs en 3 home runs. He struck out 22, but in no way, shape or form did he resemble the ace-level pitcher he was in 2021. Between lower-body issues and mechanical struggles, the Sox shut down Eder early, in order to try to fix him before the AFL. He pitched better, though he still struggled with his command.

At this point in time, there is no question of the quality of the stuff in Eder’s left arm. It’s filthy, it’s nasty, it’s ace-level. The question is: will he be able to harness it all to become a starter, or will he be ticketed for a bullpen role in the future. Eder does not rank in any publications top 100 at this point, but a good showing in Spring Training and an improved start to the season might put him back on the radar. At 25-years old, the Sox don’t have much time to fix him, so the odds are he will be getting a shot at the big leagues playing for a team that is going nowhere fast anyway.

7. Jacob Gonzalez, SS (Previous: 5, -2)

  • Drafted 15th overall in the 2023 Draft

The last draft pick of the previous Front Office regime, Jacob Gonzalez, initially looked to have been the white flag draft pick of the last group in charge of drafting and scouting. After three very successful seasons as the starting shortstop at Ole Miss, and as part of the Collegiate National Team during international tours, Gonzalez certainly did not lack in credentials. A .319 hitter in college (.988 OPS, 40 home runs and 43 doubles in 863 plate appearances) and a smooth defender at short made Gonzalez the #15 overall pick of the 2023 draft. Still, he was considered a “safe” pick, whose power numbers probably won’t hold up with wood bats.

Combine those reports with a terrible first couple of months in pro ball, and it’s easy to see why Gonzalez will have a little hole to climb out of with White Sox fans. In 30 games with Kannapolis, after going 3-for-12 with 3 singles for the ACL White Sox, Gonzalez hit only .207 with a dreadful .590 OPS, coloring in the image that was painted in several post-draft analyses. 19 singles and four extra base-hits aren’t likely to do the trick in Single-A, though the 20:23 strikeout-to-walk ratio left at least something on the table.

Needless to say, Gonzalez has work to do, based on his short pro career up until this point, and it seems he’s putting in the work. Chris Getz invoked the phrase “the talk of minor league camp” when discussing Gonzalez with MLB.com’s Scott Merkin on February 27th, as an off-season swing change seems to be paying off for Gonzalez in the early going of camp. The White Sox ánd Gonzalez will be hoping this trend continues.

8. Peyton Pallette, RHP (Previous 10, +2)

  • Drafted 2nd Round in 2022 (62nd overall)

The 6-1, 180 pound right hander looked like a first round pick before blowing out his elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery while pitching for Arkansas in college. He missed his junior season but the White Sox still gave him $1.5 million in the second round of the 2022 draft. Pallette has shown a three pitch mix with elite spin rates and he’s a favorite of the pitch data crowd. The 22-year-old throws a four-seam fastball and a 78-81 mph curveball that spins up to 3,000 RPM. Both pitches have shown to be plus at times.

The former Razorback comes with size and durability concerns that ultimately could present some reliever risk. He will continue to be developed as a starter in the White Sox’s farm system however and he likely starts the 2024 season in Winston-Salem with the Dash. Pallette made 22 starts for Kannapolis in Low-A last season and the innings amassed were the most important number overall. In 72 innings, the righty posted a 4.13 ERA while striking out 78 hitters and walking 41. Pallette’s fastball reached 99 mph in college and he sat mostly 93-95 in his first professional season. Increased velocity and the developing of a sinker along with another solid pitch for his repertoire will be things to watch this year.

9. Jonathan Cannon, RHP (Previous 11, +2)

  • Drafted 3rd Round in 2022 (101st overall)

Drafted in the 3rd round in 2022, Cannon has excelled early and displayed the high floor that prompted the White Sox to over-slot him with a deal reaching nearly $1 million. Cannon began the year in High-A and was excellent there to start his first full season professional season. He tallied a 3.59 ERA across 14 starts prior to being promoted to Double-A Birmingham. Known for his command, Cannon maintained a walk rate around 8% last season and has the ability for even more consistency with his pitch location. 

With four average or better offerings, Cannon has the profile of consistent back half of the rotation starter with a safe floor. His upper 80s cutter is his best offering while his fastball and slider have improved this season. With a sinker-type fastball and horizontal break focused slider, Cannon does a good job mixing his pitch shape to remain steady. He represented the White Sox in the Futures Game during All Star Weekend last season as well. He’s likely to remain in Double-A to start 2024 but could become a late-season option in Chicago. 

10. Grant Taylor, RHP (Previous: 12, +2)

  • Drafted 2nd Round in 2023 (51st overall)

After debuting as a reliever with loud stuff but inconsistent command for LSU in 2022, Grant Taylor went to the Cape and impressed as a starter, displaying better command of his pitches and was one of the better pitchers in the league. During his time on the Cape, the hurler struck out 30 hitters and walked two in 21 innings. Taylor continued to build upon that helium with a strong performance in fall practice, but suffered an elbow injury before the 2023 college season began and underwent Tommy John surgery. The injury did not scare off the White Sox as they drafted Taylor, signing him to a $1,659,800 bonus. If this all sounds familiar, it’s because the White Sox did exactly this in the second round of the 2022 draft as well, selecting injured righty Peyton Pallette. 

Prior to surgery, Taylor possessed a plus fastball that sat 93-95 mph, peaking at 99 mph with ride. Taylor also utilized a low 90s cutter that had been viewed as a plus offering when he was at his best. The 21-year-old also throws two breaking balls, with the primary option being an upper 70s to low 80s high spin curveball that has 12-to-6 action, and a mid-80s slider with tight movement. Both breaking pitches are thought of as at least average to above offerings. There is reliever risk in his profile, as he’s only thrown 52 total innings in 2022 between LSU and the Cape. Taylor does have the frame (6’3”, 230) that provides hope that he can add the durability necessary for starting. He should make his professional debut at some point in 2024.

FutureSox #11-20

11. Dominic Fletcher, OF (New)

  • Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024

The White Sox acquired Fletcher in a February trade with the Diamondbacks and the 26-year-old outfielder is expected to be the primary option in right field for the Pale Hose in 2024. The 5-6 or 5-9, 185 pounder was drafted by Arizona in the second round of the 2019 draft and he’s had his best seasons in the upper minors recently. He hits and throws from the left side and has shown line drive, all fields approach at the dish. Fletcher is a contact hitter but he has shown pull side power.

The outfielder has increased his walk rate while decreasing his strikeout rate and he’s hit 42 minor league home runs in his professional career. He could be relegated to a strong-side platoon future if his struggles against southpaws continue however. Fletcher can play all three outfield spots and he gets great reads while possessing an above-average arm with above-average route awareness as well. The White Sox should have a plus defender in a corner spot. Fletcher hit .301/.350/.441 with two long balls and a 113 wRC+ in 102 big league at-bats last seasoin. Before that, he slashed .291/.399/.500 with a 120 wRC+, 10 homers and a 12.6% walk rate in Triple-A during the 2023 season.

12. George Wolkow, OF (Previous: 19, +7)

  • Drafted in the 7th Round in 2023
  • One of the most exciting picks of the 2023 Draft didn’t come until the 7th round when the White Sox selected 17-year-old outfielder George Wolkow. The Downers Grove native was set to be a potential 1st round pick in 2024 but reclassified by finishing high school in just three years in order to enter the 2023 draft. The White Sox were able to land Wolkow by giving him a signing bonus equivalent to an early 3rd round pick. 
  • Wolkow has an imposing figure at 6’7” with some of the highest power upside of anyone taken in the draft this year. While there is obvious risk with his profile and he has swing-and-miss concerns at this point, Wolkow is incredibly strong and athletic with plenty of upside. He appears to be a capable and potentially above-average corner outfielder with a plus arm and the chance to become a great hitter as he ages. His strength and ability the ball is up with any prospect in the organization and he could plausibly continue to rise on this list.
  • He enters this season at just 18 years old and will likely start the season back in Rookie Ball before potentially making his way to Kannapolis later in the season if things go well. He’ll spend years in lower levels of the system, but his ceiling is higher than many of his peers. It will be many years before we see Wolkow in Chicago, but he’s one of the most exciting players to keep an eye on.

13. José Rodríguez, SS (Previous: 9, -4)

  • Signed as an international free agent in 2018

Returning from a broken hamate, José Rodríguez’s 2022 season got off to a slow start, as the infielder managed a 67 wRC+ through April and May with an uncharacteristic 27.3 K%. As the season progressed, Rodríguez was able to get back into a grove at the plate, reducing his strikeout percentage down to 21%, outputting a 112 wRC+, .196 ISO, .812 OPS, and stealing 22 of 23 bases through August 30 in Double-A Birmingham. After a couple brief layovers in Chicago, Rodríguez would head to Triple-A Charlotte for the month of September, where he appeared in 19 games with the Knights.

The emergence of Colson Montgomery has pushed Rodríguez into playing more second base, where he profiles better defensively, but he’s capable of handling shortstop if called upon. “Popeye” has an extremely aggressive approach at the plate. While the power output was the highest mark of his career (21 home runs), his strikeout rate jumped from 13.6% in 2022 to 21.9% in 2023, the walk rate went down to 4.1% (from 7.9% in 2022), and his OBP went to .292 (down from .340 in 2022). The 2023 season was most certainly a bump in the road for Popeye, and if he isn’t able to improve upon his plate approach and on-base ability in 2024, a ceiling of utility-infielder may be the most likely projection for the 22 year old.

14. Tanner McDougal, RHP (Previous: 22, +8)

  • Drafted 5th Round in 2021

Working back from Tommy John surgery, 20 year old Tanner McDougal put together a solid first professional season with Single-A Kannapolis. Another imposing hurler on the mound, the 6’5” right-hander ultimately made 21 starts, throwing 69.1 total innings with a 10.38 K/9 and holding batters to a .218 average against him. McDougal did endure some command problems in his first full foray as professional, as evidenced by a 5.58 BB/9.

McDougal’s fastball sat 93-96 while showing above-average to plus, as well as a high-70s curveball that’s also above-average to plus. McDougal also has an average slider that he hurls in the low 80s, with both of his breaking pitches having cracked 3,000 RPM. A slightly below average changeup is also in the right-hander’s arsenal but has displayed promising features at times that needs to be honed in. Ironing out the command issues while being able to build upon a nice post-injury innings base from 2023 is the focus for the young starter heading into the 2024 season. 

15. Seth Keener, RHP (No change)

  • Drafted 3rd Round (84th overall) in 2023

One of the four recent draft picks on this list is 3rd round pick Seth Keener. Pitching primarily out of the bullpen last season at Wake Forest, Keener is set to transition into a full-time starter role within the White Sox organization. Known for his elite slider, Keener is working to develop command and movement on his fastball and changeup in order to be a true starting option. 

Keener’s mid-80s slider could make him a great reliever if the transition doesn’t go smoothly as he develops, but his fastball that sits 92-94 mph on average has movement that can be effective. The 21-year-old’s changeup is a work in progress, but he has a good chance to become a starter if he can improve his control and ability to more innings comfortably. 

16. Ky Bush, LHP (Previous: 13, -3)

  • Acquired from Los Angeles Angels in 2023

Acquired from the Angels in the Lucas Giolito & Reynaldo Lopez trade, Ky Bush became one of the more advanced starters in the system, and possibly the most advanced southpaw (prior to the Jake Eder acquisition). Bush is an imposing figure on the mound, checking in at 6’6”. Bush’s season was also delayed by injury, not seeing game action until June with the Angels Complex League team before heading to Double-A Rocket City. The 2023 season was a step back from his 2022 marks that saw him appear in the Futures Game, as the St. Mary’s product’s velocity has dipped since his draft year while walks issued increased (2.53 BB/9 in 2022 to 4.65 BB/9 in 2023). 

Bush’s arsenal consists of a fastball that has been sitting in the low-90s while topping at 96-97, a low-80s slider that flashes as a plus pitch, and average to slightly above curveball/changeup offerings. The 24 year old’s ceiling as it currently stands would be as a back-end rotation option. 

17. Jacob Burke, OF (Previous 16, -1)

  • Drafted 11th Round in 2023

Despite the beginning of his 2023 being delayed by an injury, Jacob Burke was a force in the Single-A Kannapolis lineup when he made his season debut in May. After slashing .315/.416/.512 in 35 games with a 163 wRC+ and a 10.1 BB%, Burke was sent to High-A Winston-Salem, where he’d finish out the rest of the 2023 season. Notably, Burke also got on-base in 52 consecutive games between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem and also held his own against advanced competition in the Arizona Fall League.

Burke possesses all the necessary tools to stick in centerfield, as his defensive ability, range, and speed are above average. The recently turned 23 year old has a “leave it all on the field” type of persona and has delivered some exciting highlight reel plays already in his young career. Burke’s ability to hit advanced pitching will further dictate if his future is as a reserve outfielder or a role beyond that. He likely starts the 2024 season as the primary center fielder in Birmingham.

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18. Wilfred Veras, OF, (Previous: 20, +2)

  • Signed from Dominican Republic in 2019

One of the better offensive seasons in the farm system in 2023 came from a powerful 20-year-old in Wilfred Veras. He has some of the best raw strength in the farm system and has continued to hit at every level to this point. Veras impressed with 20 home runs in his first professional season spent primarily in Kannapolis in 2022 before having a solid showing at Project Birmingham to end that year. He played primarily the corner infield positions before shifting to the outfield in Winston-Salem this time last year.

Veras produced 11 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a slash line of .277/.316/.438 in his 92 games with the Dash. He was then promoted to the Barons, who play in a traditionally pitching-friendly league, and elevated his game to another level. In 38 games in Birmingham, Veras posted a .309/346/.533 line which was good for a 126 wRC+ in a league with many players much older than him. He hit another 6 home runs and was a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen bases in those games as well. His ability to drive the ball from gap to gap was on display all season as shown by his 39 doubles.

The concern with his impressive offensive output is that the approach can often be rather aggressive. Even with such strong numbers in Double-A, he had a 27.2% strikeout rate and a walk rate of just 4.9%, which will need to improve. Veras will also need to improve upon his defense as it appears his best route in the future may be a corner outfield position. His arm is easily capable in right field but his lateral movement and reaction ability still needs to improve for him to be even an average defender.

19. Jordan Leasure, RHP (Previous: 23, +4)

  • Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023

The likely first pitcher to debut with the White Sox in 2024 has the upside of a potential closer as the highest-ranked relief pitcher prospect in the system. Jordan Leasure was acquired as the secondary piece in the deal that brought over Nick Nastrini as well in exchange for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly. This deal looks excellent so far as both Leasure and Nastrini finished the season in Charlotte and will be part of the White Sox pitching core this year.

Featuring one of the best fastballs of any prospect in baseball that sits in the upper 90s with strong carry, Leasure can be dominant when locating well. He pairs the borderline 80-grade fastball with a slider that can be excellent when he’s able to command it low in the zone. He alos began to throw a curveball in the Arizona Fall League this year which could make him potentially dominant if he’s able to refine both breaking balls.

Leasure finished the 2023 season with a 3.91 ERA between Double-A Tulsa with the Dodgers and Charlotte after the trade. He struck out an astounding 79 batters in his 48.1 innings pitched on the season. He followed that up with 8.1 innings of dominance in the AFL where he allowed just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 13 hitters. He appeared more than ready for big league action then and should have a shot to make the Opening Day roster.

20. Zach DeLoach, OF (New)

  • Acquired from Seattle Mariners in 2024

The White Sox acquired Zach DeLoach in a February trade with the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-handed pitcher Greogory Santos. The former second round pick out of Texas A&M has been a steady performer in the minor leagues to start his professional career. The 6-1, 205 pounder is an average defender who profiles in an outfield corner but his below-average throwing arm could relegate him to left field ultimately. The 25-year-old is an average runner but his well rounded offensive game will be what carries him to the big leagues eventually.

The left-handed hitter has notoriously done damage on fastballs throughout his career. DeLoach is a patient hitter and he doesn’t chase a ton. His profile did change some in 2023 though. Playing for Tacoma in Triple-A, the outfielder clubbed 23 homers with 88 RBI while posting an .868 OPS and 111 wRC+. DeLoach has improved his home run rate and he’s smacked 51 homers in his minor league career but his strikeout rate has increased as well. He could be more of a platoon option in the majors but he posted a .906 OPS against lefties last year. DeLoach likely makes his big league debut in 2024.

FutureSox #21-30

21. Ryan Burrowes, SS (Previous: 24, +3)

  • Signed from Panama in 2022

Shortstop Ryan Burrowes signed for $75,000 out of Panama during the 2022 international free agent period. The 6-2, 170 pounder earned praise from scouts during his first summer in the Dominican League for his mature approach and ability to stay at shortstop. During his professional debut, the infielder hit .266/.393/.392 with three homers and a 120 wRC+ in the Dominican Summer League. MLB Pipeline reported that other clubs were interested in acquiring Burrowes during trade talks.

The 19-year-old made his stateside debut this season and struggled some for the Arizona Complex League affiliate for the White Sox. He hit just .259/.330/.386 with an increased strikeout rate and decreased walk rate. Burrowes has shown an advanced ability to hit and he consistently barrels baseballs. His frame is projectable and he’s able to manage the zone and recognize pitches out of the hand. He should stay at shortstop in the long-term and he possesses 20 homer potential from the right side. Burrowes is a good runner who has shown some success swiping bases during his career. He likely begins the 2024 season in Kannapolis with the Cannon Ballers in Low-A.

22. Terrell Tatum, OF (Previous: 14, -8)

  • Drafted in 16th Round in 2021

Terrell Tatum (24) had his best season in professional baseball in 2023, yet he drops eight spots in our top 30. Career-highs in doubles (23), triples (5), home runs (6), RBI (51), and steals (47). Sure, he got more at-bats than ever before too, after COVID-19 cost him and all minor leaguers the 2019 season, injuries cost him parts of his 2022 season and then the rest of ’22 was wiped out due to a PED suspension, but that just means that 2023 was the year we finally got to see what a full season of Tatum means. And what it means, is that the White Sox could have an interesting, useful player on their hands sometime in the near future.

Though Tatum is mostly looked at as a speedster — stealing 40+ bags a season will do that to a player — he’s also capable of driving a baseball for extra bases. He’s a spark plug in the order, who can work a count from the left side of the plate — though he still strikes out too much. Defensively, he’s still a LF or CF, with an arm lacking strength to play RF, but after seeing what guys like Michael Bourne, Jarrod Dyson and Billy Hamilton can bring to clubs in need of a speedster off the bench or on defense, there seems to be a path to the Majors for Tatum somewhere. Either way, he should be an interesting player to follow in 2024.

23. Prelander Berroa, RHP (New)

  • Acquired from Seattle Mariners in 2024

Berroa is a 5-11, 170 pounder from the Dominican Republic who throws really hard. Originally signed by the Minnesota Twins for $200K back in 2016, he’s been traded multiple times now in his young career. The righty broke out with the Mariners last season and moved to a relief role as well. In 65.1 innings in Double-A, Berroa posted a 2.89 ERA, 2.88 FIP and struck out 101 with 39 walks. He made his big league debut and threw 1.2 innings with Seattle as well. He should have plenty of opportunities to pitch in Chicago in 2024.

The Dominican possesses a strong and sturdy frame with a huge right arm. The stuff includes a plus-plus fastball that reaches 100 mph and shows late life. The pitch mix includes a plus-plus slider as well but control issues have always been prevalent. Berroa employs a high-effort delivery and has struggled to repeat it in the past. The 23-year-old profiles in a high-leverage relief role and it could be soon.

24. Javier Mogollon, 2B (Previous: New)

  • Signed from Venezuela in 2023

Mogollon is the biggest breakout performer from the White Sox’s 2023 international class. The 5-8, 160 pounder was signed for $75K out of Venezuela last year and he was excellent in his professional debut. The 18-year-old hit .315/.417/.582 in 165 at-bats in the Dominican Summer League. The infielder posted a 156 wRC+ and led the league with ten homers over the course of his 47 games played. Mogollon will make his stateside debut in 2024 and likely plays in the Arizona Complex League to start.

The Venezuelan is a quick-twitch athlete with a muscular build. He has shown above-average raw power and displayed big time exit velocity numbers with plenty of hard contact to the pull side. Mogollon could moonlight at shortstop and remain at the position but likely profiles at second base long-term. He’s an average defender and plus runner who projects to be a stolen base threat in the future as well. Mogollon will be one of the most exciting prospects in the lower levels of the White Sox’s system.

25. Sean Burke, RHP (Previous: 18, -7)

  • Drafted in 3rd round in 2021

After reaching Triple-A at the end of just his first professional season, Sean Burke was on track to reach Chicago in 2023. He underwent Tommy John Surgery his last year of high school which allowed him to log a lot of innings in his two years of college baseball before being drafted by the Sox in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft. Burke registered 137 strikeouts across 108 innings during his breakout 2022 season but struggled with command at times.

Burke’s fastball is his most conistent offering as it sits in the mid 90s and features strong break. He works in both a curveball and slider but the curve has been more realiable so far in his career. The development of his changeup could help disversify his offerings, but the bigger focal point is improved command.

Unfortunately, 2023 did not treat Burke kindly as he dealt with a variety of injuries and spend time on the development list before being shut down for the season late in July. In just 36.2 innings, he registered a 7.61 ERA with walk rate of 16.3% and struggled to find his command. He was clearly not healthy much of the season and will spend this coming season trying to establish himself among the pitching ranks of the organization once again. With a healthy start to the year, Burke could debut in Chicago late in the season if his command improves and he finds more consistency.

26. Eduardo Herrera, 3B (New)

  • Signed from Venezuela in 2024

Herrera is the most significant signing from the White Sox’s current international class. The Venezuelan teenager has inked a deal for $1.8 million and he’ll make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. The 6-3, 180 pounder has been heralded for his raw power and loose, easy swing. The 17-year-old makes an impact on the baseball from right-center to the pull side. The White Sox and their international scouts were impressed with Herrera’s success in the U-18 World Cup Qualifier as a 15-year-old.

Herrera has a plus arm and there’s some risk about an eventual move to first base but he’ll begin his career at third base, making his professional debut in 2024. The bat is the carrying tool and he could produce 30 home run power potentially. His bonus is the largest that the club has given to a teenager to since Micker Adolfo and he could move up their organizational prospect hierarchy in his first season.

27. Juan Carela, RHP (Previous: 26, -1)

  • Acquired from New York Yankees in 2023

21-year-old pitcher Juan Carela was acquired by the White Sox at the 2023 trade deadline for relief pitcher Keynan Middleton. The 6’3” 185 lb righty throws a mid-90s fastball, a sinker that can also touch the mid-90s, two different variations of a slider in the low to mid-80s, and a changeup that’s flashed average. Carela has operated as a starter in both organizations, making 17 appearances (16 starts) for High-A Hudson Valley in 2023 with a 31.1 K%, 9.1 BB%, 1.16 WHIP, and a 3.67 ERA. Since being acquired, Carela has made four starts in Winston-Salem and while his strike out numbers have dipped (11.77 K/9 to 6.43 K/9) he’s improved upon issuing free passes (3.46 BB/9 to 3.00 BB/9). Carela is Rule 5 eligible this off-season.

28. Mason Adams, RHP (Previous: 30, +2)

  • Drafted in the 13th Round in 2022

The White Sox selected Mason Adams in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Jacksonville State. It’s been a popular destination in area scout Warren Hughes’ geographic region but the 23-year-old right-hander has distanced himself from other recent picks from the school. The 6-0, 200 pounder was on the Baseball America top 500 during the pre-draft process but there were some questions related to his ability to start long-term. Adams served in a piggy back role with Noah Schultz for the first part of the season in Low-A but he become a full-time starter himself soon enough.

He began the season in Kannapolis, where he pitched to a 3.36 ERA with 94 strikeouts and just 18 walks across 77.2 innings (17 appearances, 7 starts). He made three starts with each Winston-Salem and Birmingham where he continued to show promise and thrust himself onto the top 30 list. He threw 18 innings at High-A, where he allowed just five earned runs and struck out 18 batters. In his final three starts of the year in Birmingham, Adams pitched 13.1 innings while allowing just four earned runs but he did walk eight hitters.

The profile is more floor than ceiling but Adams proved he could handle the lower levels in just his first full professional season. The 24-year-old features a versatile pitch mix with multiple effective offerings and has shown the ability to pitch in various scenarios. He should have a shot to open the season in Birmingham and could move quickly if he pitches like he did last season.

29. Mathias LaCombe, RHP (New)

  • Drafted in the 12th Round in 2023

Mathias LaCombe has a goal to become the first french born player to pitch in the majors. The White Sox selected the righty in the 12th round of the 2023 draft and paid him an overslot bonus of $450K; which is closer to what is earned by a seventh round selection. The 6-2, 185 pounder pitched at Cochise Community College in Arizona and is the latest find by legendary area scout John Kazanas. The 21-year-old posted a 1.74 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 14 walks in 67.1 innings last year.

LaCombe’s fastball has started to hit 96 mph pretty consistently during the club’s fall instructional league. Scouts were impressed and he has landed on similar lists to this one this off-season. He was noted to have a plus sinker that sits in the 90-92 mph range and his overall stuff has played up in a relief role. The fastball possesses run and plus movement and he’s shown a mid 80’s slider in addition to a low 80’s split changeup as well. Added strength will be a focus for the right hander and his strength should improve accordingly. LaCombe likely begins the season in rookie ball with the Arizona Complex League squad.

30. Aldrín Batista, RHP (New)

  • Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023

Batista is the prize of the early August trade that the White Sox made with the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for $1 million in international bonus pool space. The 20-year-old Dominican righty was leading the Arizona Complex League in strikeouts at the time of the deal after punching out 54 hitters in 39 innings. He was named ACL pitcher of the month for July. He had posted a 3.46 ERA with just 15 walks allowed as well.

The 6-2, 185 pounder also posted a 1.55 ERA during his debut pitching in the DSL in 2022 over the course of 40.2 innings. Baseball America called him “an up arrow prospect” after the trade and he could move into the top 30 of this system relatively soon. The White Sox immediately sent Batista to Kannapolis where he posted a 1.80 ERA with 18 strikeouts and five walks in 20 innings. He features a mid 90’s sinker that has touched 97 mph with a low 80’s slider and an inconsistent changeup as well. He likely participates in fall instructs soon.

1 thought on “FutureSox: 2024 preseason Chicago White Sox top 30 prospect list”

  1. Doug

    The system is really improving. How much more will it improve when the scouts and director of scouting are allowed to pick in the first few rounds! MLB Pipeline shows that even the 30th player, Jacob Burke, is rated at 40! I do get a kick out how they get their overall rating. Example, number 30, Jacob Burke, was rated a 40 but if you average the individual ratings he was 48!

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