White Sox Prospects 1-5: Head of the Class
- 1. Colson Montgomery, shortstop
- 2. Noah Schultz, left-handed pitcher
- 3. Drew Thorpe, right-handed pitcher
- 4. Bryan Ramos, third baseman
- 5. Edgar Quero, catcher
There’s actually a debate in regards to the top prospects in the White Sox’s system right now. Shortstop Colson Montgomery and southpaw Noah Schultz remain truly at the head of the class however. After being selected in 2021 and 2022, maybe the solution to the organization’s drafting woes should be taking more high school players in the first round. Montgomery is one of the best prospects in the entire sport and he should debut in Chicago this summer. Schultz is further away and will focus on accumulating innings this year but he’s one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in the sport.
Drew Thorpe was being scouted by the White Sox during this start on Tuesday. 4IP – 1H, 1K, 2BB. A lot of weak contact. pic.twitter.com/bxOKGCb7E0
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) March 14, 2024
The debate really starts at #3 in this system as far as I’m concerned. The order can really be debated heavily here and arguing these types of players seems like semantics at times. Drew Thorpe is the recently acquired headliner from the Dylan Cease swap and he’ll ride his plus-plus changeup to the big league rotation in short order. There are some issues with the right-hander but I’ll trust Brian Bannister’s newly implemented pitching development program and Thorpe is a big upside play.
Bryan Ramos is on the 40-man roster and he should debut in Chicago after some time in Triple-A. Edgar Quero might stay in Birmingham to start but he’s a future big leaguer as well and it’s a big season upcoming for the switch-hitting backstop.
White Sox Prospects 6-10: High-End Imports
- 6. Nick Nastrini, right-handed pitcher
- 7. Jairo Iriarte, right-handed pitcher
- 8. Jake Eder, left-handed pitcher
- 9. Samuel Zavala, outfielder
- 10. Jacob Gonzalez, shortstop
Seven of the ten players highlighted so far weren’t in the White Sox’s organization at this time last year. Nick Nastrini and Jake Eder were both acquired at last year’s deadline, Jacob Gonzalez was the club’s first rounder in 2023 and Jairo Iriarte and Samuel Zavala were acquired with Drew Thorpe recently. Nastrini is a candidate for the opening day roster in Chicago. Iriarte and Zavala are two of the highest upside prospects in the system and Iriarte could move quickly. Eder needs to get back on track but was one of the best lefties in the minor leagues not very long ago. Gonzalez really struggled in his debut but the franchise is expecting a big first full season.
Nick Nastrini shared how impressive Opening Day starter Garrett Crochet has been this spring on the latest @FutureSox interview.
— Elijah Evans (@ElijahEv8) March 21, 2024
If you listen to any interview of mine, make it this one. pic.twitter.com/Mew34A84vH
White Sox Prospects 11-15: Variance Aplenty
- 11. Peyton Pallette, right-handed pitcher
- 12. Jonathan Cannon, right-handed pitcher
- 13. Grant Taylor, right-handed pitcher
- 14. Dominic Fletcher, outfielder
- 15. George Wolkow, outfielder
As we move into this range of the system, outcomes will be extremely varied but I feel like these players all fit together. Dominic Fletcher was acquired this winter by the White Sox and he’s expected to be the primary right fielder in Chicago. George Wolkow is on the opposite end of that spectrum however. The freshly turned 18-year-old might have the most upside of anyone in the system but he’ll start his season in rookie ball.
Peyton Pallette could take off in his second year, being recovered from Tommy John surgery. Grant Taylor was the club’s second rounder in 2023 and he’ll debut this spring after rehabbing from elbow surgery as well. Jonathan Cannon is safer than the others and he could debut in Chicago this summer.
White Sox Prospects 16-20: Tertiary Assets
- 16. Tanner McDougal, right-handed pitcher
- 17. Wilfred Veras, outfielder
- 18. Seth Keener, right-handed pitcher
- 19. Ky Bush, left-handed pitcher
- 20. Jacob Burke, outfielder
Wilfred Veras and Jacob Burke should make up 2/3 of the Birmingham Barons’ outfield to start the season. Burke is a center fielder who plays with his hair on fire while Veras is a traditional slugger trying to find a home in a corner. Seth Keener could soar up this list depending on how many innings he throws after being used in relief at Wake Forest. It’s a big year upcoming for Tanner McDougal after a solid season in 2023. He’s one of the more exciting young pitchers in the entire organization. Ky Bush was acquired at last year’s deadline and he needs to regain some of the shine that has worn off in his prospect peak.
White Sox Prospects 21-25: Leaps of Faith
- 21. Jose Rodriguez, shortstop
- 22. Jordan Leasure, right-handed pitcher
- 23. Mason Adams, right-handed pitchers
- 24. Ryan Burrowes, shortstop
- 25. Terrell Tatum, outfielder
This is a significant fall for infielder Jose Rodriguez but he could claw his way into a major league role with some early success in Charlotte. His approach remains an issue but he can play multiple spots and possesses some in game power. Terrell Tatum struggled in Birmingham last season but he still could have some fourth outfielder upside. Ryan Burrowes will get the opportunity to play every day in Kannapolis and what he is as a prospect will be heavily debated this summer.
Mason Adams is a big riser in this system who ranks #22 overall on the list at MLB Pipeline and performing in Double-A could go a long way for him. Jordan Leasure was the second piece in the Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly deal with the Dodgers at last year’s deadline and he should pitch high-leverage innings in Chicago this summer.
Jordan Leasure with his 6th straight scoreless outing this spring. Hes gonna be the best arm in the White Sox bullpen this year.
— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) March 13, 2024
White Sox Prospects 26-30: Chess Pieces
- 26. Prelander Berroa, right-handed pitcher
- 27. Javier Mogollon, infielder
- 28. Eduardo Herrera, third baseman
- 29. Zach DeLoach, outfielder
- 30. Brooks Baldwin, utility
Prelander Berroa and Zach DeLoach were both acquired in an off-season trade with the Seattle Mariners and Eduardo Herrera was the club’s prize of the current year’s international class. DeLoach will be in Charlotte this season but he could spend some time in Chicago. Berroa looks like a potential high-leverage bullpen piece but he’s been hurt this spring. Javier Mogollon led the Dominican Summer League in homers and his stateside debut will be worth following. Brooks Baldwin had a very successful campaign in 2023 and he plays all over the diamond with plenty of offensive ability. Herrera has displayed massive power as an amateur and we’ll have to see if it carries over into the DSL season.