FutureSox: 2025 Midseason Chicago White Sox Top 30 Prospect List
Christian Oppor Photo: Ian Eskridge
The FutureSox 2025 pre-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 mid-season list below. The White Sox have added talent through the 2025 MLB Draft, trade deadline and the complex league players have come into focus. 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. Sean Burke, Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, Shane Smith, Grant Taylor and Kyle Teel exceeded that status in 2025 and they’re no longer prospect eligible. Pitchers Jake Eder (traded to the Angels) and Nick Nastrini (claimed on waivers) are no longer with the organization.
1. Noah Schultz, LHP, (No Change)
- Drafted 1st Round (26th overall) in 2022
After Noah Schultz threw to a 3.34 ERA across 12 starts in AA Birmingham, the lanky lefty earned himself a promotion to AAA Charlotte, where he debuted on June 19th. He’s had some bumps in the road since getting to Charlotte, but overall it was a solid season for our top prospect until a knee injury put him on the shelf mid-July. The walks have ticked up slightly from 2024, but Brian Bannister provided some good insight on X/Twitter, saying that the organization challenged Schultz to survive without his cutter. The pitch has a high strike rate, so the increase in walks is expected.
The other offerings from Schultz are still nasty, and now that we have Statcast data on him, we can see some data on them. Both fastballs, four seam and sinker, sit in the mid 90s and can touch 98. The slurve-y breaking ball is in the low 80s, and induces some pretty hilarious swings. The development of Schultz’ high 80s changeup has been impressive, as well. Both the slurve and changeup have run whiff rates north of 40% in Charlotte, which is a very positive sign.
With the reigns taken off of Schultz this year, he’s been able to rack up his first four professional, non-rain shortened wins of his minor league career. The overall 4.76 ERA in 68.0 IP doesn’t look too hot, but under the hood numbers tell a different story. Schultz still has a ceiling to match his 6’10” frame, and we should see him in Chicago in 2026. He’ll participate in the Arizona Fall League as he’s currently dealing with patella tendinitis in his plant leg. He’s expected back in Charlotte later this month.
2. Braden Montgomery, OF, (Previous: 6, +4)
- Acquired from Boston Red Sox in 2024
One of the key pieces in the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to Boston in December, Braden Montgomery has done nothing but hit since switching Sox. After a broken ankle held him out of game action in his draft year, he was sent to Low-A Kannapolis to start his professional career and was a man among boys. Across 18 games in Low-A, he posted a 151 wRC+, blasting his first 3 MiLB homers. He then earned a bump to A+ Winston-Salem, where he slumped for a bit, but was overall impressive at the level. A 133 wRC+ across 69 games was enough to send Montgomery to AA Birmingham, his third level in his first year in professional baseball.
While the strikeouts have racked up at times, Montgomery has adjusted to every punch thrown his way. He’s seen action in all three outfield spots, but the majority of his games have been in right field. The bat speed is enormous, the arm is potentially double-plus in a corner and the switch hitting Montgomery has been better than expected from the right side of the plate this year, especially in the power department. There’s some contact issues, but none that are going to destroy Montgomery’s hopes of becoming the first consistent right fielder in Chicago since the days of Adam Eaton.
Let’s not forget Montgomery was a two-way player up until his last year of college, so there is something to be said about growth from a pure hitting standpoint that is yet to come, now that he’s focusing solely on mashing baseballs around the yard. He’ll likely finish the season Double-A before participating in the Arizona Fall League. He should reach Chicago at some point in 2026.
3. Colson Montgomery, SS, (Previous: 4, +1)
- Drafted 1st round (22nd overall) in 2021
It’s been a wild 18 months or so for Colson Montgomery. The White Sox selected the now 23-year-old in the first round of the 2021 draft out of Southridge High School in small town Indiana. Corey Seager comparisons were a thing as the left-handed hitter moved quickly through the low minors while dealing with some lingering back injuries as well. Triple-A was a big challenge for Montgomery and his struggles have been well documented but the White Sox paused his season earlier this year as he got a refresh with director of hitting Ryan Fuller in Arizona.
The 6-3, 230 pound infielder is currently in the big leagues and he’s likely to receive some down ballot rookie of the year votes at this juncture. Montgomery has posted a 136 wRC+ and his power has really flashed with 10 homers already in 31 big league games after switching over to a torpedo bat. There are lots of strikeouts in the profile and he’ll need to walk more but the defense has been fine and his big left-handed power has really played so far.
Montgomery was a top prospect for multiple publications and then he slowly started to lose some shine and fall off prospect lists. This will be his final list as a prospect which is a good thing as he’s on pace for a two plus WAR season in the majors and he’s looking like a significant part of the club’s future in Chicago. After watching him hit in the big leagues, it is fair for some wonder whether he should still be the #1 prospect on lists like this one.
4. Billy Carlson, SS, (New)
- Drafted 1st Round (10th overall) in 2025
The 19-year-old shortstop was the 10th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and the White Sox believe that he possesses premium upside. Carlson is a 6-1, 185 pounder who received full slot (over $6.2 million) out of Corona, California. Billy Carlson is equipped with elite defensive skills. He’s been labeled with 70-grades on his arm and overall defense and he’s a lock to stay at shortstop long-term.
Carlson’s bat speed and athleticism stand out and he was stellar on the summer showcase circuit. His right-handed swing needs a tweak but the White Sox aren’t concerned and the overhaul has already begun. He could also grow into plus speed with an above-average hit tool and better than average power in time. Similar swing change necessities were mentioned with former high prep selections Pete Crow-Armstrong and Konnor Griffin as well. It’s lofty but Carlson has similar upside.
Billy Carlson was a prospect on the mound as well but he’ll play shortstop as a professional. He could be one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues very soon and he’ll be featured prominently on top 100 prospects lists at numerous outlets. The White Sox believe that he has five pool potential at a premium position. He’s playing in the bridge league out in Arizona and he’ll likely report to Low-A Kannapolis for full season ball in 2026.
5. Caleb Bonemer, SS, (Previous: 11, +6)
- Drafted 2nd round (43rd overall) in 2024
Perhaps the 2025 breakout hitting prospect in the White Sox system, Caleb Bonemer has been one of the most impressive lower minors hitters this year. Outside of a rough June, which saw Bonemer post a .557 OPS across 21 games, it’s been well above expectations for the 2024 2nd round draft pick of the White Sox. In April, May, and July his OPS in each month was .904, .950, and .865 respectively. His wRC+ on the season sits at a gaudy 141, which ranks 3rd among all MiLB players aged 19 or younger with 390 PAs on the season. Only Konnor Griffin of the Pirates and Eduardo Quintero of the Dodgers have higher marks.
What’s most impressive has been Bonemer’s ability to limit the strikeout. There were some contact issues coming into the draft with Bonemer, but so far he’s been able to run a more than manageable 20.9% K%. It’s a quiet set up in the box, with almost no movement pre-pitch. He’s able to put good wood on the ball, and his pull-side power is comfortably above average. At just 19 years old, he’s stacked up quite well with more advanced pitching in Low-A than he saw playing Michigan high school baseball. The teenager has posted a 143 wRC+ in Low-A in his first season.
Defensively, Bonemer has more than held his own. Playing around 2/3 of games at shortstop, with the other third coming at third base, the actions look smooth. With more than enough arm strength to play at the hot corner, Bonemer could very easily slide over and become a fantastic defender there. He’ll get runway to prove he can stick at shortstop, however. 23 stolen bases on 30 attempts for Bonemer isn’t to be glossed over, either. A lot to love with Bonemer’s profile, especially if he can continue showing those contact skills.
6. Hagen Smith, LHP, (Previous: 3, -3)
- Drafted 1st round (5th overall) in 2024
Smith came into the year as the #2 left-handed pitching prospect in baseball at multiple publications after the White Sox gave him $8 million to sign as the #5 overall pick in the 2024 draft. The 21-year-old was seen as having top-of-the-rotation upside after starring for the University of Arkansas. 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 was equipped with a 70-grade fastball that sat in the 95-97 mph range and touched 100 mph. Smith’s hard, mid-80’s slider was billed as a 70-grade offering as well.
The 6-3, 225 pounder missed some time this year after dealing with elbow soreness. He’s already had Tommy John surgery in the past and the White Sox shut down the southpaw for a “biomechanics reset” earlier in the season. In 14 starts with the Birmingham Barons, Smith has posted a 3.60 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 37 walks in 50 innings. The White Sox don’t seem particularly worried but Smith’s stuff is down a couple ticks and the command and control has been an issue. His delivery is still very deceptive however.
Baseball America dropped him off of their top 100 list entirely due to some concerns. The White Sox will send the lefty to the Arizona Fall League after he completes his minor league season but scouts would like to see the development of another off-speed pitch and it’s concerning that he’s living 92-95 mph with the fastball consistently. There’s still plenty of time for Smith to fulfill his upside and potential but 2025 has been an uneven year for the left-hander who was seen as a quick mover coming out of college.
7. Tanner McDougal, RHP, (New)
- Drafted 5th round in 2021
Possibly the breakout pitching prospect of the year, Tanner McDougal has surged into the top 10 of the White Sox rankings. The 22-year-old earned a promotion from High-A Winston-Salem to Double-A Birmingham on June 18 and has continued to perform, posting a 2.62 ERA with 120 strikeouts over 96.1 innings between the two stops. He’s cut his walk rate nearly in half from last year and holds a 7.4% BB% in Double-A. Working with a fastball that sits in the high-90s and reaches 100 mph, McDougal has posted a 31.8% strikeout rate in Double-A. He leans on a curveball in the upper 70s that falls off the table and a mid-80s slider, which are generating more than 45% whiffs, respectively. He also mixes in a changeup to handle left-handed bats.
The White Sox selected the 6-foot-5 right-hander out of Silverado High School (Nev.) in the 5th round of the 2021 draft, signing him for $850,000. After missing all of 2022 following Tommy John surgery, he returned in 2023 but battled wildness and inconsistency. Mechanical adjustments made this past offseason have helped him stack quality outings and maintain focus, resulting in a more positive trajectory that led to his midseason promotion. What began as a season clouded by reliever risk has shifted to a profile that could fit in the rotation long-term. He may reach the majors out of the bullpen, but his progress has made him a near-lock for the 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 eligibility and a strong candidate for a rotation spot in 2026.
8. Jaden Fauske, OF, (New)
- Drafted 2nd round (44th overall) in 2025
The 6-3, 200 pounder out of Nazareth Academy in LaGrange, Illinois was one of the best left-handed hitters in the 2025 high school class. Fauske played primarily catcher as a prep but he’ll move to center field as a professional after signing for $3 million to join the White Sox. The club paid Faukse equivalent to the #32 overall selection so it’s clear that they’re big believers in the local product’s upside.
The 18-year-old shows a smooth, left-handed swing with a disciplined offensive approach. Fauske has a history of offensive performance as an Illinois prep and on the summer showcase circuit. He was also a member of the White Sox’s Area Code Games team in the past. The club believes that he’ll hit 20 or more homers at his peak and he makes sound swing decisions. While Fauske will begin his career in center field, he could ultimately wind up in a corner but the bat should excel regardless. He’s taking part in the fall bridge league in Arizona before instructional league action begins.
9. Christian Oppor, LHP, (New)
- Drafted 5th round in 2024
Oppor has really broken out this year and pushed himself up into the top ten of the White Sox’s system. The 6-2, 175 pounder made five starts in Low-A with the Ballers and he posted a 2.42 ERA with a 1.83 FIP in 22.1 innings. The southpaw piled up 34 strikeouts with seven walks prior to his promotion. In 40.1 innings with Winston-Salem, Oppor has made 11 starts on the season. In 62.2 minor league innings this year, the lefty has struck out 87.
The now 21-year-old pound former basketball player is high-waisted with an athletic frame but he will to continue to add strength over time. The southpaw throws his fastball in the 91-95 mph range and touches 98 and he has an 80-82 mph horizontal, sweeper-like slider as well. The development staff has been working to develop a changeup as well. In 38 innings with the Arizona Complex League club last year, Oppor posted a 5.21 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 28 walks in 38 innings.
The White Sox were set select Cristian Oppor out of a Wisconsin High School in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft but the Oakland Athletics took the teenage lefty instead without a deal in place. He didn’t sign and attended Gulf Coast State Community College instead and the White Sox paid him $550K in the fifth round in 2023 instead. The organization had a history with Oppor though as he played on their Area Codes Team in the past.
10. Sam Antonacci, infield, (Previous: 30, +20)
- Drafted 5th round in 2024
Sam Antonacci has had an incredible season in his first full year as a professional and he’s jumped 20 spots on our list from the preseason. He’s also slated to participate in the Arizona Fall League with some of the best prospects in the sport. Playing mostly second and third base this season, the left-handed hitting infielder has raked across two minor league levels. In 64 games with Winston-Salem, the 22-year-old hit .279/.425/.412 with a 13.5% walk rate and 12.8 strikeout rate. He posted a 152 wRC+ with four homers. He’s also posted a 170 wRC+ through his first 20 games in Double-A as well.
The White Sox selected the former Chanticleer in the fifth round of the 2024 draft and he signed for an over-slot bonus of $575,000. The infielder is an Illinois native who was the JUCO Player of the Year in 2023 before transferring to Coastal Carolina and posting a .523 OBP. Antonacci displays an elite offensive approach with contact skills but not a ton of power. The 6-0, 193 pounder just keeps hitting and a 2026 big league debut should be in the cards.
11. Mason Adams, RHP, (Previous: 9, -2)
- Drafted 13th round in 2022
After back to back strong seasons in 2023 and 2024, making it all the way to AAA Charlotte at the end of last season, momentum was on the side of Mason Adams. The late round pick in the 2022 was initially garnering attention as the piggyback for Noah Schultz in Kannapolis in 2023, but once he permanently joined the rotation he really began to fly through the system. Adams displayed excellent command and five pitch mix (four-seam, two-seam, curveball, slider, changeup) across multiple levels while also being able to work all over the strike zone efficiently.
Prior to the 2025 season, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility to see him get an opportunity in Chicago this year. Unfortunately, he suffered an arm injury in spring training which later resulted in the 25-year-old undergoing Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2025 season. As of this writing, an exact timetable hasn’t been provided, but Adams should be able to return to action at some point in the 2026 season as he looks to rebound post-surgery.
12. George Wolkow, OF, (Previous: 10, -2)
- Drafted 7th round in 2023
George Wolkow returned to Low-A Kannapolis as a 19-year-old in 2025 and has made tangible strides with the organization. He’s cut his strikeout rate by nearly 12 percentage points, from 40.6% to 28.8%, while boosting his contact rate from 55.8% to 67%. The 6-foot-7 outfielder has already matched his 2024 Low-A home run total with his 11th of the year and looks poised to add more, continuing to showcase his plus-plus raw power. Across six games from June 9 to 15, Wolkow went 8-for-19 with three home runs, seven RBIs, six runs, one stolen base, three walks and three strikeouts, earning Carolina League Player of the Week honors. Earlier in the season, the organization noted that he had been hitting balls hard with limited results, and that staying patient through that stretch would be an important part of his development.
Primarily stationed in right field, Wolkow has also seen time in left and center, recording eight outfield assists with an above-average arm and improved defense. He’s also flashed his athleticism on the basepaths, swiping 23 stolen bases to this point in the season. At the plate, better discipline and progress against breaking balls have allowed his elite bat speed and power to play more consistently. Still a long-term developmental piece with a wide range of outcomes, his year-over-year growth is clear. The White Sox continue to view his makeup and work ethic as key drivers of his progress and long-term potential.
13. Kyle Lodise, SS, (New)
- Drafted 3rd round in 2025
The White Sox selected Kyle Lodise in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft and he signed for $925,000. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter slashed .329/.429/.607 with 16 homers as a junior after transferring to Georgia Tech from DII Augusta. While at Augusta, Lodise hit .349/.450/.584 with 23 homers over two seasons. He has displayed a disciplined, all fields offensive approach and despite some struggles with wood bats, he profiles for 15 home runs on an annual basis potentially.
The 5-11, 180 pounder plays shortstop but the White Sox believe that he can play anywhere on the infield dirt. He’s currently playing for the Winston-Salem Dash as he began his professional career with an assignment in High-A. Lodise has speed and instincts as well and the White Sox love his makeup and overall baseball acumen.
14. Aldrin Batista, RHP, (Previous: 15, +1)
- Acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023
Aldrin Batista was an arm in the system with a good amount of helium heading into the 2025 season. As a 21-year-old during the 2024 campaign, the Dominican right-hander performed well between both Kannapolis and Winston-Salem, ending the season with a combined 2.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts in 110.2 innings pitched in 22 starts. Batista throws both a four-seam and a two-seam fastball that top out at 96 mph, a mid-80s slider with sharp bite and a tumbling change.
In his first start of the 2025 season with Winston-Salem Batista suffered an injury, which later turned out to be a stress fracture in his right elbow with an expected recovery time of 2-3 months. As of this writing, there hasn’t been an update on when he’s expected back on the mound, but it was thought that he could make a return prior to the end of what has turned out to be a mostly lost 2025 season for the young righty. He’s currently pitching in Arizona with the bridge league group.
15. William Bergolla, SS, (Previous: 21, +6)
- Acquired from Philadelphia Phillies in 2024
The return of the Tanner Banks trade, William Bergolla has been exactly as advertised for the Birmingham Barons this season. The 20-year-old routinely displays his above-average hit tool from the left side while not really impacting the baseball all that much. Through 97 games with the Barons, the Venezuelan shortstop has posted a .291/.351/.341 slash line (.692 OPS) with a 7.5 BB%, a 4.9 K%, a 109 wRC+, a 93.1% Contact rate, a 3.4% swinging strike rate, and has gone 30-for-38 (78.9%) on stolen bases to this point in the season, all while being nearly four years younger than the average Southern Leaguer.
Bergolla is an above-average fielder and plus runner with at least average arm strength and displays a high baseball IQ on the dirt. Positionally, he may profile best as a second baseman as he continues to move up the organizational ladder, but has predominately played shortstop for Birmingham (85 appearances) this season. While he may ultimately be best suited for a utility infielder type role when thinking in terms of the major league roster, his defensive versatility and bat-to-ball skills could certainly be a valuable addition to a lineup that’s been looking to solve a decades long hole at the keystone.
16. Jeral Perez, INF, (Previous: 18, +2)
- 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.
The 20-year-old has hit 18 homers while playing over 100 games for the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A. Perez has posted a 117 wRC+ with 18 homers but his walk rate is down and the batting average is low which causes the overall on base percentage to lag behind as well. The profile is carried by big power potential that has translated so far in the low minors.
17. Mathias LaCombe, RHP, (New)
- Drafted 12th round in 2023
The White Sox selected LaCombe in the 12th round of the 2023 draft out of Cochise Community College and he was the second ever French born player to be drafted. He’s determined to be the first native of France to reach the big leagues. He received a bonus of $450,000 which is equivalent to fifth round money in the draft. The 6-2, 185 pound righty posted a 1.74 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 67.1 innings at the community college level.
Lat issues delayed LaCombe’s professional debut but he was one of the best pitchers in the Arizona Complex League this year. His stuff and pitch data was exceptional and he posted a 2.52 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 11 walks in 35.2 innings. Since a promotion to Low-A, the 23-year-old has punched out eight batters in 5.2 innings. He’s likely on an innings limit and it’s unknown how many he’ll throw in total.
LaCombe’s fastball sits in the 92-95 mph range and touches 97 and the pitch shows carry and armside run. The player development staff has really helped to improve the right-hander’s secondary offerings. LaCombe now has a sweeping low 80’s slider and a changeup with splitter action. The delievery employs deception and life from a low arm slot and release height. The righty will develop as a starter but could move very quickly in a relief transition.
18. Blake Larson, LHP, (Previous: 23, +5)
- Drafted 2nd round (Competitive Balance B) in 2024
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.
19. Landon Hodge, C, (New)
- Drafted 3rd round in 2025
Hodge is an 18-year-old catcher from Crespi Carmelite High School in California. The left-handed hitter signed with the White Sox for $1.1 million after being selected in the fourth round this past July. The 6-1, 175 pounder is athletic and performed well on the summer showcase circuit as an amateur. He currently shows a hit over power profile with an all fields offensive approach. Landon Hodge is an average runner as well.
The White Sox were impressed with his makeup and they believe that there’s significant defensive upside to come. The defensive profile consists of an above-average arm and he does well controlling the run game. The organization was thrilled to get a teenage, left-handed hitting backstop with athleticism at a third round price point at the start of day two. He will play in the bridge league in Arizona before fall instructional league begins.
20. Gage Ziehl, RHP, (New)
- Acquired by New York Yankees in July 2025
The New York Yankees drafted Ziehl out of Miami in the forth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. The 6-0, 223 pounder was also selected in the 11th round by the Cubs out of high school in 2021 but he declined to sign. The White Sox acquired the 22-year-old in a daedline trade this past July for outfielder Austin Slater. The righty has posted a 4.15 ERA with a 3.56 FIP and 74 strikeouts with just 15 walks across multiple minor league levels this year. He’s currently pitching for the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A.
Ziehl can command a fastball in the 92-94 mph range and he’s touched 96. The pitch shows ride and run as well and he also throws a mid 80’s sweeping slider which is a plus offering with two plane break. The strong and durable righty has a mid 80’s changeup in the arsenal too. He throws from a high three-quarters delivery and possesses #4 starter upside.
21. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, (Previous: 19, -2)
- Drafted 1st round (15th overall) in 2023
The White Sox used the 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft to select shortstop Jacob Gonzalez. He had loads of championship experience with power potential. He was also an underslot signing which allowed the club to pounce on Christian Oppor, George Wolkow and Mathias LaCombe in later rounds. Gonzalez was the final pick of the previous regime and reports at the time indicated that the big league analytics staff preferred this route more than the scouting staff did. It hasn’t gone according to plan.
The 23-year-old posted a 100 wRC+ in Double-A this year with six homers while playing solid infield defense. Gonzalez has started using a torpedo bat this year and he’s been good in a small sample for the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A recently where he’s clubbed two homers with a stellar walk rate.
The 6-2, 205 pounder makes consistent contact and controls the strike zone but the power potential hasn’t translated from college where he starred for Ole Miss and even with Team USA. He’s a below-avereage runner with good instincts but he might ultimately be best suited for second base where his overall offensive impact will continue to be the biggest question pertaining to his future.
22. Bryan Ramos, 3B, (Previous: 14, -8)
- Signed out of Cuba in 2018
It certainly feels like Bryan Ramos has been on our top 30 lists for quite a while now, but it’s been a slow descension for the Cuban infielder. After a breakout 2023 season in Birmingham that saw his post an .826 OPS as a 21-year-old, injuries delayed the start of his 2024 season and while it didn’t go particularly well (.572 OPS in 24 AA games, Ramos saw some action in Chicago before ultimately settling in at Charlotte for the majority of the 2024 season, posting a .755 OPS there over 64 games.
As this season rolled around, Ramos was unable to play in the field initially due to an injury and never really seemed to find a groove at the plate for the Knights, posting a .220/.317/.413 slash line (.733 OPS) with a 9.7 BB%, a 21.3 K%, and an 85 wRC+ in 75 games.Ramos has been better as of late, posting encouraging numbers in August (.381/.480/.762, 1.242 OPS through six games), but it’s a very small sample size. Ramos still hits the ball hard and is a solid defender at the hot corner with an above-average arm, and has even seen some action in left field this season.
Ramos’ 9.7% walk rate is a tick up from his previous seasons while his 21.3 K% is a bit down from where it’s been in the past, but a .239 BABIP in AAA this season is significantly lower from where it’s been in previous seasons (.313 BABIP last year in 64 AAA games). Ramos is still has offensively talent, but with the infeild group suddenly getting much more crowded than its been in previous seasons, Ramos will need to start producing offensively in order to get his name back into the infield mix.
23. Colby Shelton, INF, (New)
- Signed 6th round in 2025
The White Sox had been interested in Colby Shelton since his high school days and finally added him to the fold with their sixth round pick in the 2025 Draft this past July. The 6-0, 205 pounder was ranked as the #142 overall prospect in the draft class per MLB Pipeline. Shelton is 22-years-old and signed for $450,000. He is currently playing for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in Low-A.
The White Sox believe in Shelton’s left-handed power and he hit 52 homers over three seasons at Alabama and Florida. The offensive approach was deeply rooted in power previously but the infielder struck out too much. He changed his stance at the plate and he was a better all around offensive performer with a decrease in power. Shelton is a below-average runner and he’s unlikely to stick at shortstop. He could move through the system fairly quickly as an offensive-minded second baseman however.
24. Javier Mogollón, 2B, (New)
- Signed out of Venezuela in 2023
The White Sox originally signed the Venezuelan for $75,000 during the 2023 international period. He posted a 156 wRC+ and led the Dominican Summer League in homers while walking at a 13.6% clip in just under 200 plate appearances in his first season. In 2024, the right-handed hitter slashed .259/.406/.524 in 180 plate appearances in Arizona. He posted a 134 wRC+ with an 18% walk rate but he struck out in close to 40% of his plate appearances. The organization has incorporated a leg kick into his setup at the plate with the hope that it would decrease the strikeouts.
Mogollón has been injured for most of the season but he did play 51 games for Low-A Kannapolis. The infielder had a solid season in full season ball with five homers and a 116 wRC+. Mogollón hit .220/.347/.387 with a 13.4% walk rate and a 25% strikeout rate. The 5-8, 165 pound infielder packs a punch with 18 professional homers across the DSL and ACL in his first two seasons prior to full season ball and he’s a stolen base threat as well.
25. Shane Murphy, LHP, (New)
- Drafted 14th round in 2022
Shane Murphy was recently named White Sox Pitcher of the Month in the organization and the 24-year-old is on the big league radar as he’s also Rule Five eligible this December. The 6-5, 210 pound lefty was drafted in the 14th round out of Chandler Gilbert Community College back in 2022. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of Mark Buehrle and Tanner Banks as lefties from that region who were scouted by John Kazanas and ultimately end up in the majors.
Murphy is a command oriented four pitch southpaw with backend rotation upside. The lefty’s 87-91 mph four seamer plays up due to deception and the amount of strikes he throws. Murphy also shows a slider, changeup, cutter and curveball and he locates well with a high three-quarters delivery. He’s a consistent performer with a 1.39 ERA in Double-A who has 100 innings on the season. Murphy averages just 7.2 K/9 but he barely walks anyone.
26. Luis Reyes, RHP, (New)
- Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2023
Reyes has made 19 starts this year for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in Low-A and he’s posted a 3.97 FIP in 77 innings. The 19-year-old has struck out 74 while walking 33 but he’s accumulating innings in the process. The White Sox signed the right-hander for $700K out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 and they were impressed with his tournament experience in the United States as a teenager. He originally signed for $700,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2023.
In his debut, the righty posted 49 strikeouts in 37.2 innings in the Dominican Summer League but he really struggled overall. He displays a low-effort delivery and lots of extension but command has been an issue. The 6-2, 190 pounder throws a two and four seam fastball and pushes them up to 97 mph. He throws an 81-84 mph slider as well. The 19-year-old posted a 4.60 FIP in 10 starts over 42.1 innings in the Arizona Complex League last year. Reyes struck out 51 and walked 21.
27. Ky Bush, LHP, (Previous: 17, -10)
- 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 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 was a rough start. 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.
28. Gabe Davis, RHP, (New)
- Drafted 5th round in 2025
The White Sox took Gabe Davis in the fifth round of July’s draft and the club feels like he has big time upside. The 6-9, 234 pounder only threw 24.1 innings this spring at Oklahoma State after breaking his collarbone during the season. He posted an ERA over 5 but White Sox scouts saw him throw in the Cape Cod League during the lead up to the draft and they were impressed by his “returning velocity”. They think he’s a “premium guy who moves very well” with real upside according to Mike Shirley.
Davis signed for $590K and he ranked as the #147 overall player in the class for MLB Pipeline. The righty’s fastball usually sits in the 94-97 mph range but touches triple digits with armside run. He also throws a tight, upper 80’s slider that’s been up to 92 mph with a mid 80’s changeup as well. It’s often a challenge for pitchers this large to keep their limbs and delivery in sync but he can add more strength and power to his frame. Davis has starter traits and the stuff for a high-leverage relief role.
29. Juan Carela, RHP, (Previous: 24, -5)
- Acquired from New York Yankees in 2023
The White Sox added Carela to their 40-man roster this past off-season and he was slated to 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. The pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery during spring training and the White Sox have re-signed him to a minor league contract.
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.
30. Christian Gonzalez, OF, (New)
- Signed out of Venezuela in 2024
Gonzalez was a rare case this year as a player who started the season in the Dominican Summer League and earned a promotion stateside to fiish in the Arizona Complex League. The 5-11, 185 pounder posted a .698 OPS in his debut last season 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 142 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.
When are some of the infielders going to be moved to the outfield? There is a shortage of outfielders in this list. There also a shortage of power bats! Next year, hopefully they draft a few more power bats. Someone with 40 homer potential.