No one should predict the White Sox will be a competitive MLB team in 2025. And it’s fair to wonder if 2026 will be bleak as well considering the depths to which they fell last year.
But at Camelback Ranch this spring, the team’s future was on full display, and for the first time in a while it looks quite promising.
It’s hard not to notice the difference between Chicago’s 2025 Spring Breakout roster and last year’s version. The 2024 roster never got a chance to take the field because a rainstorm washed out their game. It wasn’t a big loss. The best of the 2024 White Sox breakout roster was largely either years away from Chicago, or close to the majors but ticketed as likely role players in best-case scenarios.
In 2025, Chicago’s Spring Breakout game was played on a 70-degree sunny day, and it was well worth paying attention to the roster. Unlike last year, the White Sox starting lineup was peppered with prospects who project as potential big league regulars.
This year’s lineup isn’t the best of the Breakout rosters (the Red Sox and Rays can battle for that distinction), but the difference from one year ago is notable.
Chicago started a pair of catchers with upper-level MiLB experience who project as potential regulars (Kyle Teel DH’d while Edgar Quero caught). Leadoff hitter Chase Meidroth posted one of the better seasons in Triple-A last year and should reach Chicago this season as a multi-position infielder.
Shortstop Colson Montgomery struggled at Triple-A last year, but the 23-year-old remains a safe bet to start somewhere in Chicago’s infield in the next year or so, whether it’s shortstop or second or third base.
Center fielder Braden Montgomery is the team’s best outfield prospect in years, and should get to Chicago by 2026. Left fielder George Wolkow is the epitome of risky, but for all of his contact questions, he has exceptionally rare size, athleticism and power.
And on the bench were intriguing prospects worth paying attention to like shortstop Caleb Bonemer, outfielder Samuel Zavala and infielder Jeral Perez.
“We’ve got a bunch of guys that I think are going to have an opportunity to play in the big leagues. We’re trying to make sure that when they get there, they’re ready to be there,” farm director Paul Janish said. “From an ability standpoint there are some options that we’re excited about.”
And then there’s the pitching. Starting pitcher and 2024 first-rounder Hagen Smith is one of the best pitching prospects in the game. He was followed by an even better prospect in 6-foot-10 lefty Noah Schultz.
Yes, Schultz is now officially 6-foot-10, as he grew another inch during the offseason. The fact that Schultz is young enough to still be growing is a reminder of just how unique he is. Here’s a massive 21-year-old with an unusual arm slot, massive extension and the kind of control rarely seen in a youngster with limbs this long.
“At his age, to be able to control the baseball and throw as many strikes as he does is unique,” Janish said. “It will be fun to watch.”
Schultz dominated on the mound in 2024, but he did so in brief chunks. He was never allowed to work into the fifth inning and never topped 75 pitches.The White Sox will continue to be careful, but with him getting closer to Chicago, the plan is to let him prepare for a big league starter’s workload.
“Hopefully he can just be a normal pitcher this year,” Janish said. “That’s the goal for this year is for him to pitch every fifth day. Obviously we’re going to pay close attention to workload, but at the end of the day he’s a normal pitcher. Have fun. Go out there and pitch without the governor on there.”
The duo combined for four scoreless innings in Sunday’s game.
The White Sox are still a long way from turning around a club that not only had one of the worst records in MLB history last year, but did so with a roster that largely won’t be around the next time they’re flirting with a .500 record.
But at this time last year, they hadn’t yet hit rock bottom. Watching this Spring Breakout roster, it’s reasonable to think that the worst is behind them.
