FutureSox: 2025 Preseason White Sox Top 30 Prospect List

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.

1. Noah Schultz, LHP, (No Change)

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

The 21-year-old southpaw is seen as the best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball right now and he could make his big league debut in 2025. The White Sox selected the Oswego, Illinois native with the 26th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft for $2.8 million. The lefty made 23 starts with 88.1 innings in 2024 with 61 of those frames at Double-A Birmingham with the Barons.

Schultz posted a 1.48 ERA with 73 strikeouts and just 17 walks. The goal for the local product this year is to surpass 110 innings and stay on a normal, five day rotation throughout the season. Now standing at 6-10 and around 240 pounds, his presence is even more frightening on the mound for opposing hitters. His fastball sits in the 93-97 mph range regularly and it’s a two seamier with run and sink that touches 99 mph.

The lefty also possesses a wipeout slider that sits at 82-83 mph with hard movement and spin. Schultz has shown the potential for an above-average changeup as well and he increased his cutter usage in 2024. The latter pitch looks like a potential offering to combat righties down the road. With as impressive as the stuff is overall, Schultz throws from a low three-quarters slot and provides extreme deception in his delivery and is a super athletic mover on the mound as well.

It seems likely that the left-hander will return to Double-A to begin the 2025 campaign in the Southern League before moving onto Triple-A with the Charlotte Knights at some point in 2025. Schultz won’t turn 22 until August and he should reach Chicago this season. He is currently the 10th ranked prospect in baseball for Baseball America and #16 overall at MLB Pipeline.

2. Kyle Teel, catcher, (New)

• Acquired from Boston Red Sox in 2024

Acquired in the Garrett Crochet blockbuster trade in mid-December, Teel slots in at second on our list. The 23-year-old has a smooth left-handed stroke at the plate, slashing .288/.386/.433 with 13 homers across AA and AAA in 2024, good for a 134 wRC+. Currently, the backstop is more hit-over-power, but he has the pop to potentially hit 15-20 homers in a season, with a hefty amount of doubles. Teel is a bit more fleet of foot than most catchers, tallying 12 stolen bases on 17 attempts in 2024. That number will likely tick down as he ages, but it shouldn’t get to the Yasmani Grandal level of running with ankle weights.

Behind the plate, Teel has worked hard to take his game to the next level, and it showed last year. There was a possibility of him moving to left field before the year, but now those possibilities are miniscule, if at all. The 6-0, 190 pounder has a good arm, throwing out just under 20% of base-stealers in 2024. The 2023 ACC Player of the Year has gotten good reviews on his ability to frame the ball, dating back to his Virginia days.

Working with new bench coach Walker McKinven should only help those framing numbers, as McKinven made William Contreras and Omar Narvaez some of the best defensive catchers in baseball when their paths overlapped in Milwaukee. Looking ahead, Teel figures to split time with Edgar Quero behind the dish, perhaps spend some time at 1B, mixing in a few DH days throughout the season. Teel will likely open in AAA Charlotte along with Quero, so we should see how the organization handles the catching tandem. A big league debut at some point during the 2025 season seems likely.

3. Hagen Smith, LHP, (No change)

• Drafted 1st Round (5th overall) in 2024

Hagen Smith ranks as the second best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline and he checks in at #34 overall on the publication’s top 100 list. The lefty is ranked as the #40 overall player at Baseball America as well. The White Sox selected the 6-3, 225 pounder with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and they paid him a record $8 million bonus.

The 21-year-old made three starts for Winston-Salem with the Dash to close out his draft season and he posted a 3.52 ERA in 7.2 innings pitched. He’s expected to throw regularly this year and he shouldn’t realistically be in the minor leagues for long. Smith likely begins the year back in High-A but should throw over 100 innings in total, with the majority of them in Birmingham with the Barons.

The southpaw has top-of-the-rotation upside and he was the Pitcher of the Year in the SEC after starring for Arkansas last year. Smith posted a 2.04 ERA in 84 innings with 16 starts and he led all of Division 1 in batting average against (.144) and strikeout rate (48%) with a walk rate of 10.3%. The lefty is equipped with a 70-grade fastball that sits in the 95-97 mph range and touches 100 mph. Smith’s hard, mid-80’s slider is a 70-grade offering as well. The deception from a low slot is impressive too and he’ll need to develop a third pitch in the White Sox’s system this year.

4. Colson Montgomery, SS, (Previous: 2, -2)

• Drafted 1st round (22nd overall) in 2021

Montgomery dropping two spots on our list is by no means a reflection of the shortstops’ current status as a prospect, as the 23-year old from Jasper, Indiana (home of Scott Rolen’s alma mater, for what that’s worth) is still considered a top-50 prospect in baseball, as he checks in at #39 for MLB.com, for instance. Still, 2024 was not the season the 23-year-old (or the White Sox) likely had planned for him.

The 22^nd overall pick from 2021 spent the entire season with Triple-A Charlotte, and the number-one thing to take away from the season was that he stayed healthy. After struggling with various injuries in 2022 and 2023, Montgomery logged a full season for the Knights, playing in 130 games, getting 485 at-bats, and gathering 185 Total Bases. Sure, he only hit .214 with a .710 OPS, but the 42 XBH (21 doubles, 3 triples and 18 home runs) showed that the lanky infielder can get to the baseball. Despite lacking blazing speed, Montgomery only hit into nine double plays, despite being set up for a whopping 52 GIDPO. The 8 steals don’t signify he’ll be a base-stealer going forward, but his 80% success rate on steals bodes well for some timely base running.

Montgomery already went yard during Spring Training this season, but he was also shelved with back spasms early on; a problem that has sidelined him before. Montgomery’s development is worth watching this season, as he is almost guaranteed to make it to Chicago in 2025 – health permitting. He likely won’t generate the hype his predecessor Tim Anderson did when he was called up, for the simple reason that this White Sox team is nowhere near as competitive as the team Anderson debuted on in 2016, but any time a top prospect is called up, people should take notice. The White Sox believe in the defensive improvements that the 6-3, 225 pounder has made and spending opening day in Chicago remains a possibility.

5. Edgar Quero, catcher, (Previous: 4, -1)

• Acquired from Los Angeles Angels in 2023

 Edgar Quero was the key acquisition at the 2023 trade deadline for the White Sox and took a big step forward last season as he’s on verge of his MLB debut entering the season. The 21-year-old catcher has shown an impressive blend of approach and power while improving his defense, positioning himself to be a core piece of the future. 

After a solid first stint in Double-A Birmingham to finish out 2023, Quero’s output ticked up in his 72 games there in 2024 before being promoted. He posted an .823 OPS with 12 home runs and 12 doubles throughout the first half of the year. Prior to his season-ending minor injury, Quero played 26 games in Triple-A where he continued to produce, getting on base at a higher clip than in Double-A and posting an .845 OPS. 

Making an adjustment to his stance, narrowing his set up allowed the barrel to stay back longer before flying through the zone. This enabled a large jump in exit velocity, launch angle, and hard-hit rate as it reached a new level of offensive upside. His numbers are noticeably better as a right-handed hitter, but he performs well enough from the left side to remain a switch-hitter. 

Aside from a slow May and injured September, Quero was an over .900 OPS hitter in every other month of the 2024 season. While still very young, the 5-10, 210 pounder is knocking on the door to the big leagues after posting a 139 wRC+ last year in the high minors. He’s expected to split time with Kyle Teel in Charlotte as the 2025 season opens.

6. Braden Montgomery, OF, (New)

• Acquired from Boston Red Sox in 2024

The second piece in the Garrett Crochet deal could have the highest ceiling of any player acquired under Chris Getz. Braden Montgomery was a standout at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior year, and did nothing but rake in college. A broken ankle in the NCAA super regional made him fall down draft boards enough for the Red Sox to snag him at 12th overall, signing him for $5 million. Montgomery was in consideration for the White Sox at the 5th pick, but they wound up selecting Hagen Smith instead.

Depending on who you talk to, Montgomery and Smith were the best hitter and pitcher in the 2024 draft class. Only time will tell if those people are correct, but there’s no denying the ceiling that the 21-year-old outfielder has. Armed with plus raw power, Montgomery can hit some of the prettiest tape measure homers you’ll ever see, from both sides of the plate. The power plays to all fields, and should only get better as 6-2, 220 pounder continues to fill out. There’s a bit of batted ball concerns from the right side, as he hit considerably more ground balls from that side as opposed to his numbers as a left-handed hitter. But for now, the organization will let him continue to switch hit until his numbers definitively say he shouldn’t.

On defense, Montgomery is a stereotypical right fielder. He pitched in college, and could run it up to 98 MPH. That arm strength doesn’t taper off at all from the outfield, earning an easy 80 grade. We’ll have to see how he comes back from the broken ankle, but before the injury his speed was average to a tick above. Due to that injury, Montgomery hasn’t played a game since being drafted in July. He’s likely to begin the 2025 season in High-A with the Winston-Salem Dash and he could get some reps in center field.

7. Grant Taylor, RHP, (Previous: 5, -2)

• Drafted 2nd round (51st overall) in 2023.

Grant Taylor should start the 2025 season in High-A with the Winston-Salem Dash and he needs to accumulate innings. If he does so, the 22-year-old should be a fixture on top 100 prospect lists for multiple publications. The White Sox selected the 6-4, 225 pounder in the second round of the 2023 draft out of LSU. Taylor didn’t pitch in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The righty made his debut in Low-A with Kannapolis and impressed with a 1.13 ERA and 25 strikeouts with just one walk in four starts and 16 innings pitched after a brief audition in the Arizona Complex League. Taylor injured his lat however and didn’t return to action until the Arizona Fall League. He’s the highest upside starting pitcher in the system currently outside of the southpaws at the top of the ranks.

Taylor is athletic with a strong pitcher’s build and he throws lots of strikes despite some of the struggles in Arizona air with Glendale. The right hander’s four-seam fastball sits 94-98 mph and touches triple digits with riding life. There’s an above-average curveball as well that has displayed 2,500 RPM as another out pitch. Taylor has thrown a cutter and slider in the past but he flashed an above-average changeup in the AFL and it seemed like a development goal.

8. Jairo Iriarte, RHP, (Previous: 7, -1)

Jairo Iriarte, acquired in the Dylan Cease trade, had a solid season for the Barons that ultimately garnered a call-up with the big club at the end of the 2024 season. In 126 innings in Birmingham, Iriarte posted a 3.71 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, 122 strikeouts, and 57 walks across 23 appearances (22 starts). The White Sox are attempting to improve his velocity and get him closer to what he looked like as a prospect in the Padres’ system.

The 23-year-old has a fastball that sat mostly 92-95 with some cutting action but topped at 100 mph last season, as well as a slider that exhibits plus potential that he can vary the shape of, operating in the low 80s. The Venezuelan righty also has a low 90s changeup that has late fade but not enough of a velocity separation from his heater at this point. 

Iriarte throws from a lower slot and has displayed a loose delivery with a lot of extension, but command has been the main issue for the righty and will likely determine what his big league outlook projects to be. If the 23-year-old is able to refine his command, he could slot in as a mid-rotation starter. However, if that doesn’t improve he could end up as a back-end bullpen option. Iriarte will most likely begin the 2025 season with AAA Charlotte.

9. Mason Adams, RHP, (Previous: 8, -1)

• Drafted 13th round in 2022

Mason Adams is a late round pick that began to draw attention in 2023 as the piggyback after Noah Schultz starts, but fully broke out as one of the most impressive pitchers in the system in his second full professional season. Through 18 games in Double-A Birmingham, he posted a 2.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 101 strikeouts and just 19 walks. 

Command is the calling card for Adams who utilizes five pitches to locate all over the zone and keep the ball on the ground. Without high-end velocity, the sinker is his better of the fastballs with significant movement. A plus curveball paired with a quality slider and change-of-pace changeup rounds out a balanced arsenal for the 6-0, 200 pounder.

With the ability to pound the zone with every offering, the 25-year-old’s floor is higher than many but his upside is limited as well. Profiling as a back-end starter, Adams is turning into a great find by the organization given his draft slot. Reaching Charlotte for a handful of games to finish out 2024 but getting banged up down the stretch, he should start there this season with a chance to debut with Chicago fairly soon. 

10. George Wolkow, OF, (Previous: 6, -4)

• Drafted 7th Round in 2023

George Wolkow is finally just 19-years-old and he’ll embark on his second year of full season affiliate minor league baseball in 2025. The teenager posted a 130 wRC+ while slashing .257/.357/.451 across 91 games in the Arizona Complex League and with Low-A Kannapolis last year. The 6-7, 240 pounder clubbed 13 homers in 392 plate appearances and he walked at a 12%c clip but his 40% strikeout rate was a notable red flag.

The local product must reduce his strikeout rate and chase pitches out of the zone far less often but his plus-plus raw power was on display with the Cannon Ballers. Wolkow struggled against breaking balls as well but did produce plus bat speed. He projects as an average defender and profiles in right field. He has been lauded for his work ethic, makeup and willingness to prioritize pregame and post game work to hone his craft. The White Sox believe that he has possesses plus makeup overall.

Wolkow possesses a very high ceiling but comes with a really low floor as well. He attended Downers Grove North High School and was slated to be one of the top players in the 2024 high school class. The left-handed slugger instead decided to reclassify and join the 2023 class. The White Sox selected him in the 7th round and paid him $1 million; more in line with a third round value. The outfielder likely returns to Low-A Kannapolis for the start of the 2025 season.

11. Caleb Bonemer, SS, (Same)

• Drafted 2nd round (43rd overall) in 2024

The White Sox selected Caleb Bonemer out of Okemos High School with the 43rd overall pick in the 2024 draft. The now 19-year-old received a $3 million bonus after starring on the showcase circuit and being a back-to-back winner of the Gatorade Player of the Year Award in Michigan. Bonemer played for the White Sox Area Codes Team and their familiarity with him made them comfortable with his over-slot bonus.

The 6-1, 195 pounder has shown above-average tools across the board, including bat speed and he also controls the strike zone. The shortstop displays an impressive combination of power and speed and he should stay on the left side of the infield. Bonemer possesses a right-handed swing and he handles velocity while being very aggressive to the pull side.

Bonemer participated in the bridge league on the backfields in Arizona after he was drafted and he impressed scouts and evaluators. Baseball America noted that he showed a “strong bat” and the “ability to handle shortstop”. He was one of the best players during instructional league for the White Sox as well. He will make his professional debut at an affiliate in 2025 and he could jump to Low-A Kannapolis to begin his career.

12. Chase Meidroth, infield, (New)

• Acquired from Boston Red Sox in 2024

Chase Meidroth makes his debut on this list after being acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade back in December. Meidroth was drafted in the 4th round out of San Diego by the Red Sox in 2022, and all he has done is hit since then. In a league that continues to trend towards power and strikeouts, Meidroth is the complete opposite. The 5-10, 170 pounder is a pesky hitter who commands the zone with great swing decisions. He has elite bat-to-ball skills, but does not have the power to be a huge threat at the plate. The 23-year-old can also play adequate defense up the middle and at third, which solidifies him as a high-floor utility player.

Meidroth’s career .285 BA and .833 OPS has helped him rise quickly to playing a full season in Triple-A in 2024. The infielder continued to thrive, as he led the International League in on base percentage with a .437 mark and posted a 132 OPS+. Meidroth’s contact percentage is a staggering 89% and O-Swing% is only 18%, showing an advanced feel for the bat and zone. 

The right-handed hitter has a real shot to break camp with the team, as he has very little left to prove in the upper levels of the minors. The biggest hurdle for him is not being on the 40-man roster, so it would require some roster shuffling to open a path. However, Chris Getz and company would have no problem doing so if Meidroth can continue to succeed against upper level pitching and play solid defense.

13. Sean Burke, RHP, (New)

• Drafted 3rd round in 2021

Sean Burke’s meteoric rise up this list is thanks to his stellar major league debut in September 2024. Drafted in the 3rd round in 2021 out of Maryland, Burke has had his fair share of ups-and-downs since making his pro debut the same year. A shoulder injury limited the righty to only nine starts in 2023, so he was off the radar for many coming into 2024.

The 25-year-old’s debut was a welcome sight as the tumultuous 2024 season was reaching its end. He has struggled with command in his career, but his stint in September showed otherwise. In four games (three starts), Burke boasted a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings with 22K/7BB. His 28.9 K% and 9% BB% is in a small sample size, but the 6-6, 230 pounder flashed electric stuff.

His elite extension allows his fastball to play up even more, and offers two above average to plus offerings in his slider and changeup. The fastball will sit in the 94-97 mph range, while his slider and changeup have eaten up hitters on both sides of the plate. Burke projects to slide into the White Sox rotation going into 2025 as a formidable starter with potentially front line stuff as long as he can stay healthy. If the starter route doesn’t work, Burke can dominate as a high-octane reliever in a White Sox bullpen that badly needs it.  

14. Bryan Ramos, 3B, (Previous: 9, -4)

• Signed out of Cuba in 2018

Bryan Ramos’ prospect status, for better or worse, seems to have been tied to the general state of the White Sox farm system. After initially breaking into our Top 30 in the lower regions of the list, behind a potentially star-studded bunch of prospects, Ramos’ ascend up the list was a combination of his performance and the organization’s promoting almost all the players that were ahead of him on the list. Burger, Kopech, Sheets, Colas, Stiever, Crochet, Heuer, Dunning: it’s just a sample of all the players that made the jump to the big leagues and helped facilitate the ‘Rise of Ramos’.

Of course, it wasn’t just the promotion of those players that led to Ramos climbing the ranks. It was also decisions (Jose Rodriguez), trades (Cristian Mena), whatever a ‘Norge Vera’ was, and of course: Ramos himself. Because in spite of the fact that his ranking is currently trending downwards a bit again (not in the least because of a massive influx of talent into what was previously a barren system again), Ramos made some real noise, especially in AA in 2023.

After wrapping up the ’23 season with a .271/.369/.457 (.826 OPS) in Birmingham, the 6-2, 225 pounder’s star shone brightest heading into 2024. That season, same as for the entire Sox organization, did not go according to plan for him, but there were definitely still bright spots. Ramos finished the year batting .263 with a .755 OPS in AAA (8 home runs, 13 doubles), and got to make his Major League debut for the White Sox on May 4^th against the Cardinals.

The 22-year old Cuban logged 32 games for the Sox and amassed 99 at-bats, while hitting .202/.252/.333, with a .585 OPS (3 home runs, 4 doubles). The ‘alright’ cup of coffee at baseballs’ highest level could leave fans wanting to see more of Ramos in 2025. On a club barren of any real talent, there shouldn’t be many reasons to keep Ramos off the roster. The Cubans’ 2025 could be one of the few White Sox things truly worth following over the next couple of months.

15. Aldrin Batista, RHP, (Previous: 21, +6)

• Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023

An acquisition brought over from the Dodgers for international signing money, 21-year-old Aldrin Batista has emerged as one of the best lower level arms in the system. A few games after being traded to the organization in 2023, he delivered a strong showing last season. Through 22 starts between Single-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem, Batista pitched to a 2.93 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 110.2 innings of work. 

His performance ticked up at the end of the season upon promotion as he allowed just three runs in his first five starts at the High-A. Across those 26 innings, he allowed just 16 hits and 6 walks while striking out 29 batters. The 6-2, 180 pounder should add some strength to his frame as he moves through the farm system as well.

Batista is all about movement as his sinker generates 17 inches of horizontal movement and he pairs it with a sharp slider and fading changeup. He sat around 92-94 MPH last season, but has reached 95 on a few occasions. His command can be spotty at times as he’s still finding consistency, but the fastball and slider have both flashed plus upside while the change is still coming along. 

A unique delivery and low release point makes Batista a hard pitcher to pick up, adding further deception. If Batista’s velocity can tick up or he can add another pitch to his mix, he could be one of the best pitching prospects in the farm system eventually. The 21-year-old likely starts the season in the Winston-Salem Dash rotation in High-A and he should reach Double-A at some point in 2025.

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 braintrust 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 unspectactular 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.