The Trending on the Farm series will highlight player trends from the top prospects in the White Sox system as well as any other notable performances across all affiliates.
Top of the Crop (Trending on the Farm)
NOTE: This piece will focus on players that are trending on the farm currently in the minor leagues. Jonathan Cannon is omitted since he’s with the White Sox (and has since graduated from prospect status). The “Top of the Crop” portion was determined prior to the Dylan Cease trade, hence why Drew Thorpe, Samuel Zavala, and Jairo Iriarte are all omitted (Drew Thorpe has since graduated from prospect status).
| Rank | Player (Position) [Level] | Last Week (8/12 – 8/18) | Trend |
| 1 | Colson Montgomery (SS) [AAA] | .158/.238/.211, .449 OPS, R, 2B, RBI | ↙️ |
| 2 | Noah Schultz (LHP) [AA] | 3.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K | ⬆️ |
| 3 | Bryan Ramos (3B) [AAA] | .198/.346/.190, .536 OPS, R, 3 RBI | ↖️ |
| 4 | Edgar Quero (C) [AAA] | .000/.000/.000, .000 OPS, Placed on 7-day IL | 🩹 |
| 5 | Nick Nastrini (RHP) [AAA] | (two starts) 8.1 IP, 5 H, 2R (2 ER), 2 BB, 8 K | ↖️ |
| 6 | Jake Eder (LHP) [AAA] | 5 IP, 3 H, 3R (3 ER), 5 BB, 5 K | ↖️ |
| 7 | Jacob Gonzalez (SS) [AA] | .227/.227/.273, .500 OPS, 2B, 2 RBI | ⬇️ |
| 8 | Peyton Pallette (RHP) [A+] | 4 IP, H, BB, 6 K | ⬆️ |
| 10 | Grant Taylor (RHP) [A] | 60-day IL | 🩹 |
| 12 | George Wolkow (OF) [A] | .217/.250/.261, .511 OPS, 2R, 2B, RBI | ↙️ |
Noah Schultz with his standard Saturday start. Mostly standard results as well. No runs in 3.2 IP which he allowed 1H and walked 2, while striking out 2. Big help from his defense on a couple plays in the 3rd. #Barons #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/rYOyCNOUVW
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 18, 2024
Noah Schultz – MLB Pipeline White Sox #1
21-year-old Noah Schultz once again had a solid outing for the Barons. Schultz has now lowered his AA ERA to 1.59 (over 45.1 innings) while sporting a 0.99 WHIP with 52 strikeouts.
Nick Nastrini – MLB Pipeline White Sox #18
24-year-old Nick Nastrini had a two start week, although the second of which was cut short after he was ejected for arguing a call at second base. Despite the early removal, Nastrini had been throwing the ball well, pitching two and one thirds innings allowing three hits, one run (earned) and one strikeout.
Nick Nastrini with a quality start in Charlotte on Tuesday evening. He goes 6 innings and allows 1R on 2H and 2BB. He strikes out 7 on 52S/83P. He earns his 2nd dub on the season for the #Knights, and looked as sharp as he's been in Charlotte. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/fzL7KD2rqz
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 14, 2024
Today’s #ProHogs MiLB highlight of the day: Caleb Cali going 3-5 with 3 singles, an RBI, and a run and Peyton Pallette going 2 innings with 1 hit, no runs, 1 walk, and 3 Ks!
— MaryEllen Brown (@mellen723) August 12, 2024
Peyton Pallette – MLB Pipeline White Sox #28
23-year-old Peyton Pallete’s dominant run working out of the bullpen trucked on, as the right-hander had another scoreless week and has allowed two runs since July (12 appearances, 23.2 innings, 35 strikeouts, five walks, 0.83 ERA, 0.74 WHIP).
George Wolkow – MLB Pipeline White Sox #7
The Charleston RiverDogs pitchers gave George Wolkow a tough time at the plate last week, striking out eight times in 23 at-bats.
Colson Montgomery – MLB Pipeline White Sox #2
Colson Montgomery endured some struggles at the plate against Toledo, striking out eight times in 19 at-bats.
Bryan Ramos – MLB Pipeline White Sox #13
Bryan Ramos scuffled against Toledo, striking out seven times in 21 at-bats.
Jake Eder – MLB Pipeline White Sox #23
Jake Eder allowed three runs over the first two innings before settling in. The 25-year-old southpaw fired three scoreless innings to finish his outing.
Jacob Gonzalez – MLB Pipeline White Sox #12
It was another tough week at the plate for Jacob Gonzalez, as he’s yet to get into a rhythm offensively since early in his promotion to the Barons.
Edgar Quero – MLB Pipeline White Sox #4
Edgar Quero appeared in one game last week for Charlotte before suffering a back injury, ultimately landing on the injured list.
Best of the Rest
Trending on the Farm: AAA (Charlotte)
Rafael Ortega
33-year-old Rafael Ortega hit .333/.412/.867 for a 1.279 OPS with two doubles, two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored, and went 1-for-2 on stolen bases across four games.
Sammy Peralta
26-year-old left-hander Sammy Peralta made two appearances for the Knights last week, throwing four and two thirds innings allowing four hits, one run (earned), and four strikeouts.
Trending on the Farm: AA (Birmingham)
Wilfred Veras – MLB Pipeline White Sox #26
21-year-old outfielder Wilfred Veras hit .273/.385/.636 with a 1.021 OPS over six games against Tennessee last week. Three of Veras’ six hits went for extra bases (triple, two home runs) along with three runs scored, six RBI, more walks (four) than strikeouts (three), and was successful on his lone stolen base attempt.
Wilfred Veras murders this baseball for his 13th HR on the year. Hackenberg and Hogan walked and score. Tie ball game at 4. #Barons #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/b43ehNScTJ
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 16, 2024
Riley Gowens faced off against the pesky Smokies on Friday evening. He throws 4 innings of shutout ball, but the deep counts ends his night early. He allows 1H and 2BB while striking out 6 on 54S/85P. #Barons drop the game 2-0, but he does not factor. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/tgnvMFELSS
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 17, 2024
Riley Gowens
24-year-old Riley Gowens had solid but short outing against the Smokies. Gowens now has a 3.64 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 29.2 innings (seven starts) since joining the Barons.
Juan Carela – MLB Pipeline White Sox #27
22-year-old Juan Carela was very efficient in his second outing for Birmingham. Carela has a 3.58 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 18 starts (83 IP) with 84 strikeouts between Winston-Salem and Birmingham this season.
Juan Carela did his job Wednesday night for the #Barons. He got outs. A quality start in his 2nd BHam start. He throws 6 innings of shutout ball allowing just 3H and 1BB. He strikes out 1 on 40S/62P earning his first W. He is 1-1. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/zOG6Y5LvYj
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 15, 2024
Jairo Iriarte with an absolutely dominant outing on Sunday. He goes 6 innings and shuts a good Smokies team completely down. He allows 0R on 4H and 1BB. He strikes out 5 on 55S/84P. Despite the K total, this game was never close. #Barons win 4-1. Iriarte is 4-7. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/HNXgaGpgAs
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 19, 2024
Jairo Iriarte – MLB Pipeline White Sox #5
22-year-old Jairo Iriarte had a two start week and was especially spectactular in his second outing. In total, Iriarte pitched 12 innings allowing 12 hits, three runs (two earned), walked five, and struck out eight.
Garrett Schoenle
26-year-old lefty Garrett Schoenle made two appearances last week, pitching three scoreless innings allowing just one hit and striking out four.
Trending on the Farm: A+ (Winston-Salem)
Rikuu Nishida
23-year-old infielder Rikuu Nishida hit .438/.571/.438 for a 1.009 OPS in five games. Nishida also scored a run, had four RBI, walked more (five) than he struck out (one), and went 1-for-2 on stolen bases.
Rikuu Nishida lines a single to CF. Saucke and Zavala (2B) come in to score. 5-0 #Dash. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/S71gNREQjY
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 14, 2024
Aldrin Batista is not intimidated with his promotion it would seem. He earns his first W with 5 innings of 3H shutout ball striking out 8 on 48S/67P. #Dash win 2-0. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/3zFMoZoN9u
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 15, 2024
Aldrin Batista – MLB Pipeline White Sox #22
Aldrin Batista had a stellar outing in his second start with Winston-Salem. The 21-year-old’s promising season is now up to 19 starts, sporting a cumulative 3.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts in 93.2 innings.
Zach Franklin
25-year old righty Zack Franklin made two appearances last week against the BlueClaws, throwing two and two thirds scoreless innings allowing one hit and struck out five.
Shane Murphy
23-year-old left-hander Shane Murphy had a two start week and pitched 10 total innings allowing 10 hits, three runs (earned), one walk, and struck out six. Murphy’s first outing of the week saw him allow just three hits and one walk over five innings to go along with two strikeouts.
Trending on the Farm: A (Kannapolis)
T.J. McCants
2024 16th round draft pick T.J. McCants posted a .364/.462/.818 slash line with a 1.280 OPS in three games for Kannapolis last week. McCants also knocked a triple and a home run to go along with two RBI and went 1-for-2 on stolen bases.
TJ McCants laces a ball to the LC wall. It's his first triple for the #Ballers. Ryan Burrowes (1B/SB) comes in to score. 1-0 Kanny. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/eh0IKFR1RO
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 17, 2024
Alec Makarewicz with his first pro HR off the railing in RF. #Ballers up 1-0. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/8qsmezI0Jr
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 18, 2024
Alec Makarewicz
23-year-old 2024 UDFA signing Alec Makarewicz hit .381/.435/.571 for a 1.006 OPS over six games last week. Makarewicz scored three runs, two extra base hits (double, home run, and drove in four.
Jake Peppers
22-year-old righty Jake Peppers had a solid outing against the RiverDogs last week. In 19 starts this season for the Cannon Ballers, Peppers has a 3.87 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts in 83.2 innings.
Jake Peppers with the Thursday start for the #Ballers. He goes 5 innings and allows 1R on 4H and 1BB. He strikes out 2 on 48S/80P. Kanny wins 6-2, and Peppers is 6-5. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/zMPiVMET4Z
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 16, 2024
Ronny Hernandez
19-year-old catcher Ronny Hernandez slashed .364/.417/.500 for a .917 OPS against Charleston last week. Hernandez scored three runs, hit three doubles, and drove in one over six games.
Carson Jacobs
Recently turned 23-year-old right-hander (happy belated birthday!) Carson Jacobs made two appearances last week for the Ballers. Jacobs pitched three scoreless innings allowing just one hit while striking out six.
Jesús Mendez
20-year-old Jesús Mendez pitched well last week. The right-hander made two appearances, throwing four total innings allowing two hits, one run (earned), one walk, and struck out five.
Tyler Davis
25-year-old righty Tyler Davis made two strong appearances for Kannapolis last week, throwing four and one third scoreless innings allowing two hits, one walk, and struck out six.
Hale Sims
24-year-old Hale Sims made two appearances last week, working four innings allowing three hits, one run (earned), and struck out four.
Trending on the Farm: Rookie (DSL)
Jurdrick Profar
17-year-old shortstop Jurdrick Profar batted .600/.667/.733 for a 1.400 OPS with five runs scored, two doubles, five RBI, more walks (three) than strikeouts (zero), and went 1-for-2 on stolen bases in four games played.
Marcelo Alcala
18-year-old outfielder Marcelo Alcala hit .500/.579/.688 with a 1.267 OPS, scoring nine runs, one double, one triple, and went 3-for-3 on stolen bases in four games for the DSL White Sox.
Ryan Castillo
19-year-old Ryan Castillo appeared in three games last week, batting .545/.583/.636 for a 1.219 OPS, scored one run, one double, four RBI, and was unsuccessful on his only stolen base attempt.
Angel Bello
18-year-old right-hander Angel Bello was nearly perfect in his lone start last week, hurling five shutout innings allowing just one hit with two strikeouts.
Yerardo Ciofani
18-year-old southpaw Yerardo Ciofani made one appearance throwing three innings, allowed three hits, two runs (unearned), one walk, and struck out six.
Fabian Ysalla
19-year-old righty Fabian Ysalla pitched four innings in his lone start of the week allowing five hits, two runs (unearned), one walk, and two strikeouts.
Orlando Suarez
17-year-old right-hander Orlando Suarez made one start last week for the DSL White Sox, twirling five innings of one run baseball (earned), allowing two hits while striking out four.