FutureSox: 2026 White Sox Preseason Just Missed List

The White Sox graduated a group of guys to the big leagues in 2025, and 2026 is expected to be similar in regard to promotions. Using ” momentum ” as the key phrase in the club’s marketing slogan is a small detail that seems very appropriate for the current state of the franchise. More players are on the way, the #1 draft pick has been secured, and current members of the core are expected to improve.

There are some new names on our upcoming Pre-season top 30 list and some of the names on this list have been ranked previously. Here’s a sneak peek at the mid-season iteration of the Just Missed exercise.

The organization recently added a new international class, and there’s some promise with the 2025 draft class as well. This list is littered with recent international signees, and the organization will need to be more successful in that realm going forward.

That brings us to this list! 20 players who didn’t make our list this cycle but who our writers all discussed and considered in some fashion. These are prospects on the cusp of the radar, and history suggests that some will contribute value of sorts down the line.

Note: players are listed in alphabetical order

Alexander Albertus, Infielder

Albertus does in fact exist; much to the dismay of my podcast partner. It’s still unclear if he’ll ever play a full season affiliated baseball game for the White Sox however. The 21-year-old fits best at third base and he hit .303/.449/.415 as a Dodgers prospect. The White Sox acquired the Aruban infielder in 2024 as part of the return for Erick Fedde and Michael Kopech but he’s been dealing with complications from a fractured left tibia since.

The 6-1, 175 pounder was seen as an advanced young hitter with a disciplined approach. His profile was definitely seen as hit over power but the club felt like he had the upside to potentially hit 20 homers at his peak. Albertus makes all fields contact and possesses a solid arm and high baseball IQ. Playing games in Kannapolis this season would be a significant step in the right direction.

Marcelo Alcala, Outfielder

The 6-0, 185 pound Venezuelan was signed by the White Sox as an international free agent in January of 2023. The outfielder posted a 121 wRC+ in his first season in the Dominican Summer League and he followed that up with a 115 wRC+ in his second season. The 20-year-old hit seven homers in the Arizona Complex League last year and he’s likely slated to get an opportunity at a full season affiliate in Kannapolis this spring.

Alcala posted a 102 wRC+ in the desert with way too many strikeouts and not enough walks in his current profile. The power is real and he can get to his pull side but without making more contact, it likely doesn’t matter in the end. He’s played some center field but settling into an outfield corner is more likely. Alcala has above-average speed at present and the power is the carrying tool but the hit tool will determine the future here.

Ky Bush, Left-Handed Pitcher

Southpaw Ky Bush was acquired in the package with Edgar Quero from the Angels for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. 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 lefty started 14 games, pitched 80.2 innings and gathered a 2.12 ERA (78:32 K:BB, with a 1.03 WHIP).

The 26-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 2024, but the 5.60 ERA and just 11 strikeouts in 17.2 innings was a rough start. Bush missed the 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s currently on the 60-day injured list and should return this season.

Alejandro Cruz, Infielder

The 6-2, 180 pounder has shown a simple right-handed swing that is contact oriented. The Havana, Cuba native comes from the same town as the Gurriel brothers and he was named Tournament MVP of the 15U World Qualifier in Venezuela and appeared on Cuba’s 15U World Championship Team in Mexico as well. The 19-year-old possesses plus makeup and he’s lauded for his competitiveness. Cruz had some struggles in the Dominican Summer League but finished with a 108 wRC+ and four homers with a 19% walk rate.

The White Sox signed Alejandro Cruz for $2 million out of Cuba in 2025 and he was their top signing in the previous international class. The Cuban third baseman is polished defensively with an average arm and range but fluid actions that should allow him to stay at the hot corner. Cruz is a plus runner with plate discipline who displays pull side power and a feel to hit with a body that can add more size. The infielder did play 22 games at second base last year in the DSL as well. He’s expected to play somewhere on the infield for the rookie level affiliate in Arizona in 2026.

Duncan Davitt, Right-Handed Pitcher

The White Sox acquired Duncan Davitt as one of the deadline pieces in return for Adrian Houser last season. The Rays selected the right hander out of Iowa in the 18th round of the 2022 draft and he’s used a seven pitch mix to march up to Triple-A. Despite some struggles at that level last year, the 26-year-old posted a 4.38 ERA with a 3.70 xFIP and 150 strikeouts to 45 walks in 152 minor league innings.

The 6-3, 230 pounder was added to the Sox’s 40-man roster this offseason while moonlighting as a sports reporter for his family’s newspaper in Iowa. Davitt has a compact delivery and smooth mechanics with a decent chance of being a back end starter or multi-inning relief option. He’ll be part of a loaded Charlotte Knights rotation to begin the 2026 season.

Zach Franklin, Right-Handed Pitcher

The 27-year-old reliever posted a 3.91 FIP after a promotion to Triple-A last year and a big league look isn’t out of the question for Franklin in 2026. The 6-1, 198 pounder was a 10th rounder out of Missouri in 2023 who signed for $10,000. The righty posted a 2.40 ERA last year while striking out 79 and walking 25 in 56.1 minor league innings.

Franklin possesses a mid 90’s fastball with a low 80’s slider. He also shows a mid 80’s changeup and a curveball as well. In 42 innings pitched with the Birmingham Barons last year, the righty posted a 1.71 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 19 walks on the season. Franklin is another close to the majors option for the White Sox in a potential bullpen role.

Pierce George, Right-Handed Pitcher

The White Sox selected Pierce George in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft and gave him an over-slot bonus of $200K as a redshirt sophomore. The 6-6, 240 pound righty transferred from Texas to Alabama but only threw 11.1 innings for the Crimson Tide in 2024 with a 4.76 ERA. The 22-year-old has always struggled to throw strikes consistently but he remains in a White Sox’s revamped pitching development infrastructure that should have some mechanical tweaks in store.

George has high octane stuff with a fastball that gets up to 102 mph and an 87-90 mph sharp slider that flashes plus as well. The big righty also threw 5.2 innings for Chatham in the Cape Cod League where he struck out eight hitters. George threw 47.2 innings with the Cannon Ballers in Low-A and posted a 6.42 ERA on the season. He piled up 52 strikeouts with 45 walks while posting a 4.85 FIP however. He has the ceiling of a premium closer if he can throw enough strikes.

Christian Gonzalez, Outfielder

Gonzalez was a rare case last year as a player who started the season in the Dominican Summer League and earned a promotion stateside to finish in the Arizona Complex League. The 5-11, 185 pounder posted a .698 OPS in his debut in 2024 but walked a lot, played stellar center field defense and displayed plus-plus run times. In 21 games in the DSL this year, the 18-year-old hit .431/.554/.615 with a 198 wRC+ and a 17% walk rate.

After a promotion to the Arizona Complex League, the left-handed hitter slashed .381/.435/.500 in a 12 game sample with a 145 wRC+. Gonzalez hasn’t shown much power but he’s hit his way onto the radar. Originally signed out of Venezuela for $550,000 in February 2024, the outfielder will now participate in the White Sox’s instructional league with a likely arrival in Kannapolis for full season ball at some point in 2026.

Jacob Gonzalez, Infielder

This shortstop is the outlier of Mike Shirley first rounders as Gonzalez always lacked premium upside so finding out that draft room shenanigans by the previous front office guided this selection shouldn’t be a surprise in hindsight. The 23-year-old was seen as a safe, SEC performer with a high floor and the underslot bonus helped secure George Wolkow, Christian Oppor and Mathias LaCombe as well. The White Sox need to get more out of the 15th overall pick however.

Swing changes haven’t really taken in professional ball and the 6-2, 205 pound left-handed hitter posted an 87 wRC+ with 8 homers in the high minors last year. The former Ole Miss star likely gets a big league opportunity due to his first round pedigree but he really struggled in Triple-A last year and likely profiles as an extra infielder as the optimistic outcome at this point.

Riley Gowens, Right-Handed Pitcher

Gowens is the final piece remaining from Chris Getz’s first trade that sent reliever Aaron Bummer to the Braves. Atlanta originally drafted the 6-4, 225 pound righty in the ninth round of the 2023 draft out of Illinois. The 26-year-old throws a fastball in the 92-94 mph range but he hides the ball and gets above-average extension on the mound.

The righty also throws a high 80’s downer curveball and pounds the strike zone but his secondaries haven’t developed enough to profile as a definite rotation option in the future. In 132 innings with the Birmingham Barons last season, Gowens posted a 3.34 ERA with 151 strikeouts and 49 walks He’s likely to return to Double-A for 2026.

Fernando Graterol, Catcher

Graterol received the largest bonus in the White Sox’s most recent international class and he’ll start his career in the Dominican Summer League this year. The 17-year-old backstop signed for $1.6 million and he hails from the catching hotbed of Valencia, Venezuela. The 6-1, 175 pounder possesses plus raw power with bat speed and and strength.

The catcher deploys a simple stride with a right-handed swing but it’s a power over hit profile with the potential for 20 homers. Graterol has at least average speed and he’s more athletic than most catchers. In regards to defensive ability, he has a plus arm but needs work in regards to receiving and blocking but the organization believes he can be an average defender.

Nick McLain, Outfielder

With two brothers in professional baseball already, the youngest attempted 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 shined for the Sun Devils in his draft year and went in the third round.

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 and he made his debut in 2025 in Low-A. He’s a pull hitter who controls the strike zone but he unfortunately was injured again and missed the rest of the 2025 campaign. McLain hit .261/.414/.304 with the Ballers while posting a 123 wRC+ in just 13 games. He’s expected to return to Low-A this season.

Frank Mieses, Outfielder

Baseball America’s Ben Badler wrote that Mieses “could end up as the best position prospect in the class for the White Sox” after the club signed him for $175,000 out of the Dominican Republic last January. He participated in the Dominican Summer League All Star Game and he’s hit .285/.410/.415 in 44 games in the DSL this past year. The outfielder posted a 118 wRC+ with three homers and a 15% walk rate.

The 6-1, 170 pounder is a lean, athletic center fielder with good plate discipline and strength to drive the ball. The 18-year-old makes quality contact and he’s an above-average runner. Mieses made 30 plus starts in center field and his defensive instincts have been solid. He’s an exciting young bat in the system and he should join the Arizona Complex League club for 2026.

Tanner Murray, Infielder

Murray is expected to be a primary infield option with the Charlotte Knights in 2026 and he occupies space on the current 40-man roster of the White Sox. He was acquired this winter along with outfielder Everson Pereira for Yoendrys Gómez and Steven Wilson. The 6-2, 190 pounder was originally drafted in the fourth round out of UC Davis by the Rays.

The 26-year-old has played multiple infield spots and he’s actually developed above-average raw power over time. Below-average contact rates have dragged the offensive production down a bit though. Murray posted a 121 wRC+ in Double-A in 2024. In 2025, the infielder slashed .241/.299/.400 with 18 homers in Triple-A for the Durham Bulls.

Diego Perez, Right-Handed Pitcher

The White Sox signed Diego Perez out of San Cristobol in the Dominican Republic as a member of their 2025 international class last January. The small righty checks in at 6-0 and 155 pounds but he has the ability to add strength to his frame and improve an average fastball over time. He’s expected to play stateside with the affiliate in the Arizona Complex League.

Perez boasts a 2,500 RPM curveball and throws out of a high slot. The 17-year-old posted a 5.12 ERA in the Dominican Summer League last year in 31.2 innings. Perez made 11 start and pitched in 16 games while striking out 33 and walking 22 batters.

Sebastian Romero, Outfielder

Romero signed for $1.5 million out of Venezuela and the 6-2, 175 pounder is seen as an advanced hitter with the potential to stay in center field. The 17-year-old left-handed hitter will make his debut for the White Sox’s affiliate in the Dominican Summer League this year.

The outfielder shows a quality approach at the plate and made consistent contact as an amateur. Romero possesses a frame that can add strength with solid speed and athleticism as well. He could hit 15-20 homers annually and he should have enough of a throwing arm to play in a corner if the bat will allow.

Casey Saucke, Outfielder

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 22-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. The outfielder only played in five games last year before undergoing season ending Tommy John surgery.

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. He’s currently on the 60-day injured list and should return to an affiliate later this spring.

Tyler Schweitzer, Left-Handed Pitcher

Schweitzer has bounced back and forth between the top 30 list and the just missed version. The White Sox selected the lefty out of Ball State in the fifth round back in 2022 and he’s produced since entering the organization after signing for $325,000. While the southpaw was back in Birmingham and posted a 1.27 ERA there in 49.2 innings, he also threw 50 disastrous innings in Triple-A previously; prompting the demotion.

The 25-year-old has a five pitch mix with a running fastball that gets up to 96 mph and he commands his entire arsenal with a slider, curveball, changeup and cutter as well. The 6-0, 185 pounder profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter but he’s been pitching in a bulk relief role lately. Schweitzer threw 132 innings in High-A and Double-A two seasons ago with a 4.02 ERA and 136 strikeouts to 41 walks. Schweitzer likely returns to Double-A with the Barons.

Grant Umberger, Left-Handed Pitcher

Some here at FutureSox refer to this southpaw as UMVP because of the work that he put in during his debut in the low minors last season. The 24-year-old lefty posted a 2.56 ERA with the Cannon Ballers in 102 IP before making an appearance in High-A as well. The 6-4, 225 pounder struck out 116 and walked 34 in 105.2 innings during his professional debut. He likely pitches in the Dash rotation in 2026.

Umberger threw 33 innings at Virginia Tech before transferring to Toledo for his senior year and ultimately signing with the White Sox as an undrafted free agent. The southpaw throws his fastball in the 91-95 mph range and touched 97 last season. He shows plus command of a three pitch mix and he recorded a 40% miss rate on his slider in his debut. He’s throwing much harder than he did in college due to some mechanical tweaks and he likely profiles as a depth starter or multi-inning relief option.