White Sox 6th Ranked Farm System Fuels Optimism in Spring Training
Credit: Dan Victor/FutureSox
I had high hopes for my four days at White Sox spring training camp, and they were easily surpassed. I strongly encourage Sox fans — and baseball fans in general — to make the trek to Glendale. Even without a press pass, you’ll have easy access to players, practices and scrimmage games, and each guy is friendlier than the next.
White Sox Spring Observations
Batting practice is constant. Fielding practice is constant. It’s done over and over and it never ends. Every day in spring training and almost every game day during the minor-league season. There is quite a bit of long toss as well.
Each player was friendly and chatted if they had the time (they were often on tight schedules). I was flattered by how many remembered me. Even though I talked with many of them during batting practices and after games during previous seasons, you just never quite know what is registering.
I introduced myself to new Kannapolis manager Chad Pinder and new Knights’ skipper Sergio Santos but, unfortunately, I didn’t have an opportunity for longer chats. That’ll come soon enough — probably the day before the Charlotte season opener on March 28 for Santos and April 2nd for Pinder when the Dash and Cannon Ballers hook up in a FutureSox sponsored pre-season game. I did let both guys know I’d probably be just one of two “beat” reporters who’ll be with them regularly (shout out to wing man Jonathan Lee of SouthSide Sox).
I also caught up with Pat Leyland and Guillermo Quiroz, and congratulated them on their promotions, to Winston-Salem and Birmingham, respectively.
My focus was meeting, reconnecting with and watching Sox prospects but I also took in two Sox spring training games, and based on this way-too-brief look, I’m skeptical where the major-league squad will find offense. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I agree with the majority of Sox fans who want to see major-league at-bats going to Edgar Quero, Kyle Teel, Bryan Ramos, Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Brooks Baldwin and the guy who just keeps silencing the doubters, Tim Elko.
Notes on White Sox Prospects
At just 19-years-old, White Sox recent second round draft pick Caleb Bonemer is a big, strong man. He dwarfs a lot of the other middle-infield prospects. He played shortstop consistently on the back fields and he should be making his full season debut at some point in 2025. The White Sox are very excited about the teenage infielder.
One at bat does not a career make, and the White Sox highly-touted 2023 international signee Javier Mogollon struggled with really high strikeout rates in complex ball last year, but man did he tag one in an intra squad game. The power is there if he can get the plate discipline under control. He just missed our top 30 prospect list in our recent pre-season update. He should return to Arizona to start the season but some time in Kannapolis seems likely at some point.
Many Sox prospects are in the early stages of getting bigger and stronger. Others, like Casey Saucke, already pass the eye test. After being drafted last year in the 4th round, the 6’3, 210-pound outfielder fared well in his Winston-Salem debut. I’m anxious to see what the first full year of professional ball brings the former UVA college player who signed for $850K.
It is always fun to see “the next wave” of guys arrive in Kannapolis and Winston-Salem. Among the debuts I’m fired up to see are 2024 second rounder Caleb Bonemer and third rounder Nick McLain. James Fox recently wrote a feature piece for us on McLain and his baseball family.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Braden Montgomery does not have a prototype power hitter’s physique, given that he was also a successful college pitcher. But his slight frame surprised me nonetheless. Big relief that he says he is fully recovered from his serious ankle injury last year. He could really pop this year and he should start his professional career with the Dash in Winston-Salem.
Remember the dramatic Cannon Ballers’ playoff run last year? 2024 5th-round pick Sam Antonacci’s ability to consistently get bat to ball was a big part of the offense. I’m guessing he opens the season in Winston-Salem but he’s yet another guy I’m hoping to see in Birmingham sooner than later. The jump from High-A to Double-A is tougher than ever, and the Southern League is a great proving ground for hitters. I saw Antonacci in two intra-squad games in Arizona and he came up big with an RBI single in one and a key sacrifice fly in the other. Antonacci cracked our top 30 list for the first time.
Baseball fans seem to have become numb to news of Tommy John surgeries, given how commonplace they’ve become. But chats with Ky Bush and Blake Larson offered a chance to see the elaborate braces that pitchers must endure for the first month or two, after which there are another three or four months to regain full range of motion before finally touching a baseball again.
It is a grim reminder of the difficult grind that ensues after the surgeries. Most recently, the White Sox announced that Juan Carela and Prelander Berroa will be having season ending surgeries as well. There have been some tough injuries early for White Sox pitchers. The organization has decided to build through pitching and amassing too much pitching has never been a thing. Pitchers break though and teams always need more.
The catchers had their own schedule, which makes sense since they’ve got to practice a unique set of skills like fielding balls in the dirt and framing pitches while also being available to catch pitchers. It is nice to see a healthy Michael Turner after so many setbacks last season. And one of the best hitters at the end of year in Kannapolis not named Antonacci was catcher Jackson Appel, a 2024 6th-round pick. I have high hopes for his encore this year. I thought he flashed a big arm behind the dish and a sweet stroke at the plate.
Speaking of catchers, Ronny Hernandez told me the Sox asked him to get in better shape in the off-season and indeed he looks quite fit and trim now. Hernandez has had a mostly successful professional debut as a young catcher who gets on base often. He needs to add strength and improve his power. There are some interesting catchers in the system though outside of Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero; two of the best backstop prospects in baseball currently.
Top White Sox Prospects in Camp
Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith have been the talk of camp. They made their final appearances recently in big league spring training as now they’re both on track for opening day starts in Birmingham and Winston-Salem respectively.
Wikelman González, Jake Eder, Jairo Iriarte, Jacob Gonzalez and Wilfred Veras are among the players who have been recently re-assigned to minor league camp. Major League Baseball will once again hold Spring Breakout Games and the White Sox will play the Colorado Rockies on Sunday March, 16th. The White Sox possess one of the best Spring Breakout Rosters around and it should be a really fun experience for all.
Many Thanks
The off-season offers a chance for pitchers to learn new pitches, and several of them are currently tinkering with them in camp. Last year it was the sweeper, now various cutter variations and the gyro-slider are among popular, new pitches. My podcast partner Elijah Evans (@ElijahEV8), is all over who is working on what pitches. Do yourself a favor and give him a follow as he covers the White Sox for FutureSox and Just Baseball.
Speaking of Elijah, a huge thank you for patiently showing me the ropes in Arizona. For such a young guy, Elijah knows so much baseball, especially the intricacies of pitching. He’s a heck of a nice guy as well. And thanks as well to White Sox media relations staffer Joe Roti and, of course, my FutureSox uber-editors, James Fox and Ian Eskridge, pretty astute baseball minds themselves.
Over at MLB Pipeline, the writers recently put together their top farm systems with reports and full write-ups on top 30’s from each organization. The American League Central is represented often in the top ten overall and the White Sox lead the rankings in prospect points overall with six highly ranked prospects in the top 100. The White Sox ranked 6th overall in the system rankings for the publication.
And, finally, I’ve spent yet another year studying spanish in an attempt to communicate more easily with Latin players who struggle with English. A big thank-you for their patience and willingness to help to Ronny Hernandez, Wikelman González and Juan Carela in particular. Muchas gracias y bueno suerte. Lo siento si me olvidé de alguien, lo cual probablemente fue así. Y que te mejores pronto, Juan.
