FutureSox: 2025 Preseason White Sox Prospect List 16-30

The FutureSox 2024 Mid-season 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 individual top 30 and then added up to come to the ranking they got on the collective list. Noah Schultz received 180 points and was the #1 prospect on that list. We will follow the same process for the pre-season list below. The White Sox have added talent through the 2024 MLB Draft, offseason trades and via the 2025 international signing period as well. We have six writers contributing to this version of the list.

Players who have exceeded rookie status will not be present on this list. 50 innings pitched, 130 at-bats or 45 days on an active, big league roster is the exclusionary criteria for rookie status in Major League Baseball. Drew Thorpe and Brooks Baldwin exceeded that status in 2024 and they’re no longer prospect eligible.

Here are prospects 16-30 in the system during this cycle.

16. Wikelman Gonzalez, RHP, (New)

• Acquired from Boston Red Sox in 2024

Gonzalez was considered the final piece of the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox this off-season, but that shouldn’t damper any expectations on him. One of the top arms in the Red Sox’s system going into 2023, the 22-year-old dealt with command issues in a rocky 2023 campaign, but still had 168 strikeouts in only 111.1 innings.

Going into 2024, the 6-0, 167 pounder’s command slightly improved, with the strikeout numbers coming down to 92 in 83 innings. Gonzalez has been someone who seemingly gets stronger as the year goes on, as evidenced by his 1.84 ERA in the second half of 2024. The righty should start the 2025 season in the Birmingham Barons rotation and as a member of the 40-man roster currently, he could debut in Chicago at some point this year.

Gonzalez has a live arm with a fastball in the mid-90s that has topped 97 mph, and his low release height creates a unique profile. His curveball and command are plus pitches, but his command struggles stems from these two. Cutting down on his walks will be key to reaching his potential as a mid-rotation arm. If Gonzalez doesn’t hone in on his control, his stuff can easily translate to the back end of the bullpen. That in of itself is a good final piece of any trade. 

17. Ky Bush, LHP, (Previous: 10, -7)

• Acquired from Los Angeles Angels in 2023

Lefty Ky Bush was acquired in the Giolito/Reynaldo deal with the Angels, as the secondary piece to Edgar Quero. In the middle of a tough season in 2023, Bush arrived in Birmingham and struggled, before righting the ship tremendously in 2024. With the Barons, the southpaw started 14 games, pitched 80.2 innings and gathered a 2.12 ERA (78:32 K:BB, with a 1.03 WHIP).

The call to Charlotte was understandable, but the 25-year-old struggled in Triple-A, to the tune of a 7.01 ERA in four starts (six appearances). The 6-6, 250 pounder even saw four starts with the White Sox in the Majors in August, but the 5.60 ERA and just 11 strikeouts in 17.2 innings (with 16 walks!) showed that the call-up may have been premature.

It was announced at the start of spring training that Bush has undergone Tommy John surgery, and he will be out for the entire season. He’ll have to rebuild some of his prospect status in 2025 as he’s been placed on the 60-day injured list.

18. Jeral Perez, 2B, (Previous: 12, -6)

• Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024

A key piece in the trade that sent Erick Fedde to St. Louis and Michael Kopech to Los Angeles at last year’s deadline, Jeral Perez came over from the Dodgers organization after being signed in 2022 out of the Dominican Republic. The 20-year-old was one of the best hitters in the Arizona Complex League in 2023, leading to an aggressive assignment to Single-A as a 19-year-old in 2024. He performed admirably, slashing .262/.370/.423 with 12 homers across his time with the Dodgers and White Sox organizations, notching a 121 wRC+.

Perez has good pop for a hitter of his size (listed as 6’0, probably closer to 5’10), and quick hands that get the barrel through the zone quickly. He pulls the ball in the air particularly well, leading to 25 doubles and two triples in 2024. Perez likely profiles more as a second baseman going forward, but has seen some time at shortstop as well as third base since debuting.

Perez will be 20 for the entire 2025 season, so there’s no need to rush him quickly through the system. Repeating Low-A ball wouldn’t be a shock, but neither would a promotion to High-A at this point. Perez proved he can hang with older, more experienced pitchers in 2024, so perhaps the organization has seen enough to give him a bump up with a likely start in North Carolina with the Dash in High-A.

19. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, (Previous: 14, -5)

• Drafted 1st round (15th overall) in 2023

Jacob Gonzalez was the final first round selection made by the previous regime, and so far the selection isn’t yielding what that brain trust had hoped. Gonzalez looked lost at the plate in his debut, but was given the task to undergo some mechanical adjustments to try to help him get back on track for 2024. 

After implementing swing changes last offseason, 2023 first round pick Jacob Gonzalez had a solid, yet unspectacular start to his 2024 season in Winston-Salem, producing a .763 OPS with 11 extra base hits across 36 games with the High-A Dash. He was quickly bumped up to Double-A Birmingham and after a hot start in his first seven games (.424 average, 1.035 OPS), the 22-year-old came crashing back down to earth. 

From May 29th through the end of the regular season, Gonzalez hit .205/.270/.292 for a .562 OPS with 17 doubles, four home runs, a 7.3 BB%, 14.0 K%, and a 69 wRC+. Needless to say, it’s been a tough go on the offensive side of the ball for the Ole Miss product since entering professional baseball, although he had a productive playoff for the Barons, posting a .438/.550/.688 slash line with a double, home run, and five RBI in five games.

He’s not the fleetest of foot, but does possess the necessary instincts, actions, and arm strength to stick at shortstop, although there are skeptics that believe he’ll eventually shift to second or third, which if a move happened would further emphasize the importance of offensive output. The left-handed hitter was playing hurt down the stretch and the White Sox appear to be fine with his progress. Gonzalez seems like a big league but the level of impact he’ll provide is still very uncertain.  

20. Alexander Albertus, 3B, (Previous: 17, -3)

• Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024

The Dodgers signed Albertus out of Aruba for $75K back in 2022 and he did nothing but hit since beginning his professional career. The 6-1, 175 pounder posted a 143 wRC+ in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 and came back to post a 161 wRC+ with a 30% walk rate in the Arizona Complex League in 2023. Albertus returned to the ACL to begin the 2024 season and he hit .342/.479/.459 with a 151 wRC+. He was promoted to Low-A and struggled in 19 games but did walk at a 12% clip.

The 20-year-old suffered a stress reaction in his left tibia and missed the remainder of the 2024 season prior to being traded to the White Sox in the three-team deal that sent Erick Fedde to St. Louis and Michael Kopech to Los Angeles. He had another surgery this off-season and he’s expected to be a full participant in minor league spring training.

Albertus possesses a hit-over-power profile with a quick right-handed swing. He rarely expands the zone and has shown a very patient approach at the plate. He has walked 107 times in 136 professional games so far and he profiles as an offensive-infielder. Albertus has arm for third base but could ultimately fit best at second. The White Sox believe that the infielder will hit the ball harder and drive it in the air more often; leading to 20 homer potential. He’ll likely return to the Cannon Ballers in Low-A.

21. William Bergolla, SS, (Previous: 16, -5)

• Acquired from Philadelphia Phillies in 2024

In a late 2024 deadline deal that sent Tanner Banks to Philadelphia, the White Sox acquired another 19-year-old infielder in the form of William Bergolla. He initially signed with Philadelphia for a tad over $2 million in 2022 as one of the top international prospects in his class. With his best attribute being his hit tool, Bergolla doesn’t offer much in the power department as a 5-9, 165 pound left-handed hitter. Despite mediocre offensive slash numbers, he posted a 121 wRC+ in 22 games with the Winston-Salem Dash after the trade.

The now 20-year-old hits left-handed and possesses plus-plus bat-to-ball skills with just a 12.5% swinging miss rate. Bergolla is also a plus runner and stole 27 bags last year. The infielder likely projects as a second baseman in the future but he likely remains at shortstop in the White Sox system. He’s an above-average defender with an above-average throwing arm as well. He could make his way to Double-A Birmingham at some point in 2025.

22. Samuel Zavala, CF, (Previous: 20, -2)

• Acquired from San Diego Padres in 2023

The San Diego Padres originally signed Samuel Zavala out of Venezuela in 2021 for $1.2 million and they moved him rather aggressively through their system. The left-handed hitter put up stellar results in the Dominican Summer League and Arizona Complex League as a teenager. The White Sox acquired the outfielder as the third piece in the Dylan Cease trade last March but he didn’t really live up to the lofty expectations that came with him in 2024.

The 6-1, 175 pounder posted a 96 wRC+ in High-A after slashing .187/.340/.301 with eight homers in 111 games. Plate discipline is a real strength for the 20-year-old and he walked at an 18% rate but he struggled at the plate overall due to a flawed, high-effort swing and lots of swing and miss in the zone. A swing change is well underway and the White Sox are trying to simplify the setup with a reduced leg kick.

Zavala is a stolen base threat and can remain in center field for the time being. Across two levels of A ball in 2023, the teenager posted a 122 wRC+ with 14 homers in the Padres’ system. The White Sox are hoping to get more from the Venezuelan but they have time on their side. The outfielder likely returns to Winston-Salem for the start of the 2025 campaign.

23. Blake Larson, LHP, (Previous: 19, -4)

Blake Larson was selected in the 2024 draft out of IMG Academy in Florida after beginning his high school career as a prepster in Iowa, also appearing on the White Sox Area Codes team. Larson stands 6-3, 185 pounds and throws from a low three-quarter slot from the left side, touching 96 mph with his fastball that has life. A low-80s, high-spin slider is his main secondary offering, while a changeup in the upper-80s needs refinement. The White Sox acquired the selection used to take the left-hander in a trade that sent righty Gregory Santos to the Mariners.

Larson can have an erratic delivery at times but did display improved command during his senior season after dealing with some issues in the previous summer.  The southpaw didn’t appear in any affiliated games after being drafted, but did make some appearances during instructional league play. Unfortunately for the recently turned 19-year-old, he has since undergone Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2025 season. The organization doesn’t believe that the young lefty will be set back too far in his career while rehabbing and gaining strength. He likely wouldn’t have thrown many innings this year any way, but it’s an unfortunate injury this early for the player.

24. Juan Carela, RHP, (New)

• Acquired from New York Yankees in 2023

The White Sox added Carela to their 40-man roster this off-season and he should return to Double-A to pitch in the Birmingham Barons rotation. Originally acquired in exchange for righty Keynan Middleton from the New York Yankees at the 2023 deadline, the 6-3, 185 pounder’s fastball ticked back up. The Dominican posted a 3.71 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 106.2 innings in High-A and Double-A last year.

Carela throws a two-seam and four-seam fastball but he features the sinker more prominently. It sits in the 90-93 mph range and touches 96 occasionally. The 23-year-old also throws an above-average slider that sits in the 78-86 mph range. In the White Sox’s development system, the righty improved the sweeping action on the pitch and threw it nearly 55% of the time. There’s an 88-90 mph cutter and he shows above-average command overall.

25. Nick Nastrini, RHP, (Previous: 18, -7)

• Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023

2024 was a rocky year for Nick Nastrini, and I’m sure he’d like to flush it out of everyone’s mind. After coming over from the Dodgers at the 2023 trade deadline for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly, 2024 was the first full year of the 25-year-old in the White Sox organization. The right-hander was back and forth between the big leagues and Triple-A, and never really found his command consistently.

Posting a 7.07 ERA in MLB and 5.29 ERA in AAA can leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouths. Nastrini ticked down in velocity, and the stuff wasn’t moving as much as it had in the past. A four pitch mix became pretty much a one pitch mix, as hitters could hunt the fastball and lay off the slider/curveball/changeup. There’s still time to turn it around for Nastrini, however. If he can limit the walks, the stuff will play up. Mechanically, the motion looks much smoother and more repeatable than it did in 2024, which should lead to more strikes.

This seems like a make or break year for the 6-3, 215 pounder. If he can put it all together, he has middle-of-the -rotation upside. Nastrini will likely open in AAA to start the year, unless he really turns heads in the weeks leading up to Opening Day. He provides good depth for when starters like Martin Perez and Bryse Wilson inevitably get moved come July but he could establish a bullpen role at some point in the future as well.

26. Jake Eder, LHP, (Previous: 15, -11)

• Acquired from Miami Marlins in 2023

As Jake Burger continues to tease White Sox fans and hit nukes in the majors, his trade partner continues to give them up. The Burger-for-Eder trade; for all intents and purposes the last decision Kenny Williams Sr. made as a member of the White Sox Front Office, was controversial when it happened. There were definitely parties who saw the benefit in trading away a fairly one-dimensional hitter with no real position to play at that point for a top power lefty pitching prospect. There were also plenty of people who hated having to say goodbye to a 27-year-old home-grown fan favorite, one of the few right-handed sluggers in the big league lineup, in favor of a 25-year-old lefty with control problems, coming off of Tommy John surgery.

Jake Eder struggled in Double-A in his 17 innings after the trade in 2023, before posting a 6.61 ERA between Birmingham and Charlotte in 2024. He started 24 games, pitched 109 innings, struck out 122 and walked 58. This BB/K ratio is solid, the hits (125) less so. Eder was simply too hittable in 2024. Triple-A hitters tuned him up for a .304 average, a 1.99 WHIP and 40 runs in 34.2 inning despite some mechanical tweaks. With his 27^th birthday coming up later in the season, his role for 2025 is to be determined. He could be a member of the rotation in Charlotte or transition to a relief role at any point.

27. Casey Saucke, OF, (Previous: 23, -4)

• Drafted 4th Round in 2024

The White Sox selected Saucke in the 4th round of the 2024 draft, 107th overall out of Virginia and signed him to an over-slot deal. After being drafted, the 21-year-old was sent straight to High-A with Winston Salem. The 6-3, 210 pounder did well, slashing .290/.333/.398 for a 110 wRC+. Saucke has good pop, and is able to hit the ball hard consistently. He hit a 483 foot tape measure shot in college, so clearly there’s big time power when he makes contact.

Although he didn’t strike out much as a collegian, there are whiff and chase concerns, that Saucke will definitely have to tone down if he wants to be a productive big league piece. It showed a slight bit in his professional debut, notching a 26.3% K% and a BB% of just 6.1%. The former Cavalier is a good athlete, playing shortstop in high school, third base and every outfield spot in college, but likely profiles in right field going forward due to his plus arm. Speed wise, Saucke can hold his own in the outfield and can swipe a handful of bases. He likely heads back to Winston-Salem to open the season, but a strong start could push him to Double-A Birmingham quickly. 

28. Nick McLain, OF, (Previous: 24, -4)

• Drafted 3rd Round in 2024

With two brothers in professional baseball already, the youngest will try to make a name for himself as well in the White Sox’s system. The 5-10, 190 pounder started his career at UCLA but he missed his entire freshman season with a back injury. McLain transferred to Arizona State for his final two college seasons and he missed time there as well after breaking the hamate bones in each of his wrists. The switch-hitter finally played consistently thing spring though and he was impressive for the Sun Devils.

The 22-year-old batted .342/.457/.663 with 12 homers and he walked more than he struck out. McLain can play all three outfield spots but profiles the best in right field due to a plus arm. He’s a tweener as a smaller corner guy but he has the ability to drive the ball to all fields. The White Sox love his makeup and the bloodlines. He signed for $800K in the third round and he didn’t make his professional debut last year as he rehabbed a hand injury in Arizona. He’s a pull hitter who controls the strike zone and he likely debuts with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in Low-A to start his professional career.

29. Shane Smith, RHP, (New)

• Acquired in 2024 Rule Five Draft

The White Sox selected Shane Smith with the top selection in the 2024 Rule Five Draft this past December. He will need to be added to the 26-man roster or he’ll be offered back to the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the season. The 6-4, 235 pounder pitched in 32 games last year and made 16 starts across AA/AAA in the Milwaukee system. In 94.1 innings, the righty posted a 3.05 ERA with 113 strikeouts and 29 walks and a WHIP of just 1.05.

Smith was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest after missing the 2021 college season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The righty has a fastball that runs up to 98 mph but it generally sits in the 92-96 range. He also shows an average overhand curveball in the 76-80 mph range and an 84-87 mph slider with cut action. Smith has also incorporated a horizontal sweeper from his high three-quarters delivery. He likely serves in a swingman role out of the White Sox’s bullpen in Chicago.

30. Sam Antonacci, infield, (New)

• Drafted 5th Round in 2024

Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Sam Antonacci had a unique journey to being a draft selection but impressed instantly upon joining the organization. The 22-year-old infielder is an Illinois native who was the JUCO Player of the Year in 2023 before transferring to Coastal Carolina, where he got on base at a .523 clip last spring. 

An elite approach and contact skills at the plate led to exceptional results at the dish, but minimal power limits his upside. In his first 23 Single-A games, Antonacci posted a 173 wRC+ and slashed .333/.471/.432 while walking 17 times and striking out just 13 times. He also stole seven bases as he can be aggressive on the basepaths despite fringy pure speed. 

The 6-0, 193 pounder played third base primarily at Coastal, but is better suited for the middle infield. He has the athleticism to play at short, but could slide to second base in the long-term due to his arm strength. His profile should make Antonacci a quick riser as he could viably jump straight to High-A Winston-Salem to start the season and find himself in Birmingham this year due to his ability to get on base consistently