The only way to go is up for the Chicago White Sox. The Southsiders were historically bad in 2024, finishing with just 41 wins after another disappointing season. Positives for the Sox were few and far between last season, but as dire as the situation seemed during the season, the tides are turning. GM Chris Getz was heavily criticized during and at the conclusion of play last year, but for the first time in years, the White Sox seem to have a direction and a distinct plan for the future.
Much of that plan was shaped by the events of December 13th. The Red Sox acquired Chicago’s ace, Garrett Crochet for a haul of top prospects, highlighted by Braden Montgomery and Kyle Teel. The ceiling of the White Sox system was drastically risen after that deal, with each of the prospects acquired having a clear path to the majors within the next few seasons.
Expecting the White Sox to launch themselves back into playoff contention next season may be outlandish. However, there is hope for the future on the South Side of Chicago for the first time in several seasons.
Check out Pitcher List’s breakdown of all 30 MLB team’s farm systems heading into 2025:
- NL East: Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals
- NL Central: Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates, Cubs
- NL West: Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants
- AL East: Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Blue Jays
- AL Central: Tigers, Guardians, Twins
Top White Sox Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Noah Schultz – 21 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats (A, A+, Double-A): 88.1 IP/2.24 ERA/32.1 K%/6.7 BB%
If a mad scientist set out to create a “monster” pitcher, Noah Schultz would likely be the outcome. At 6’9″, he is about as physically imposing as a person can be from just over 60 feet away. That size, in tandem with a 3/4 slingshot-esque release from the left side makes him a nightmare for opposing hitters. If that’s not enough, add in a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider that starts in the left-handed batter’s box and dives into the zone. His stuff is great, and he’s able to keep his pitches in the zone admirably. Schultz walked less than 2.5 batters per nine innings, which puts him in the top 20 pitchers his age or younger (min. 80 IP). He also prevents hitters from doing damage, only posting a fly-ball rate of 25.6%. Hitters managed to hit the ball over the fence on just 5.8% of those balls.
There are a lot of things to be excited about when looking at the lefty’s career so far. The one gripe, albeit minor, is that his SwStr% has some room for improvement (11.8%), but he manages to fool hitters in the zone for called strikes, with the two numbers combining for an okay 30% CSW rate. Going into 2025, the White Sox have very little stability in their starting rotation. If Schultz can put together a good spring, and start the regular season well, he could be in discussions for a major league debut by summertime.
2) Braden Montgomery – 21 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats (A+): N/A – 2024 Draft
Similar to Schultz, Montgomery looks like he was built to play baseball in a lab. The 6’2″ switch-hitter put together two stellar years at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M for his final season before going pro. While the details of his transfer aren’t public, Montgomery was one of the first high-profile collegiate baseball players to transfer during the NIL-era. He hit another level with the Aggies in 2024. Montgomery hit 27 homers with a 1.187 OPS en route to a Golden Spikes Award nomination. The Red Sox decided to select him in this year’s draft at pick #12. However, due to a late-season injury with A&M, he never played a professional game for them before being traded to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet deal.
While he spent time as a pitcher in college and in summer leagues, Montgomery’s future lies in the outfield. His fastball reached 95+ miles per hour, which translates into a rocket arm from the corner outfield spots. His ability to throw is only matched by his ability to hit the ball with elite power. Montgomery’s swing is violent, yet smooth and controlled, meaning he can generate impressive exit velocities without compromising his bat-to-ball tool. The 21-year-old is by far the most exciting outfield prospect in the White Sox system, and a strong year could have him in line for a promotion in 2026.
3) Hagen Smith – 21 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): N/A – 2024 Draft
Smith is the second member of the 2024 draft to raise the ceiling of the White Sox system. The former Arkansas Razorback made headlines throughout his final season, few more viral than his 17-strikeout victory over Oregon State in February. His season-wide stats look like something out of a video game. Smith struck out 161 batters in 84 innings, with a 2.04 ERA en route to a Golden Spikes nomination. After being drafted, he impressed in his first three appearances in pro-ball. Smith struck out seven batters in three appearances in High-A, posting a 3.52 ERA in limited time.
Smith’s slider is his best offering, and he can throw it basically anywhere he wants. If it starts in the lefty batter’s box, it ends over the plate. If it starts over the plate, it ends up making hitters look silly. Smith supplements it with a mid-to-high 90s heater that is hard to catch up to because of Smith’s extension. He utilizes a changeup, usually on the inside to lefties, but it’s a work in progress compared to the other two offerings. Noah Schultz still holds the mantle as the organization’s top prospect arm, but Smith will threaten that title with a strong 2025 season.
4) Edgar Quero – 21 Y/O C
MiLB Stats: (Double-A, Triple-A) – .280 AVG/.366 OBP/.463 SLG/16 HR/1 SB/17.4 K%/9.7 BB%
MLB’s #9 catching prospect (#59 overall) boosted his stock immensely with an impressive 2024 campaign. Quero’s 139 wRC+ ranked #12 among all qualified minor league catchers (min. 300 PAs), and his OPS was among the top 25. He’s a switch hitter, but the 21-year-old excels against left-handed pitching. Quero posted a .346 AVG and 1.025 OPS against southpaws last season (.261/.772 vs. RHP).
It wasn’t all good though. Defensively, Quero threw out just 20% of base stealers last season, allowing 92 stolen bases. He also made eight errors in 643 innings behind the dish. Quero will have to improve in both of these aspects to stick behind the dish. That said, his ability to hit balls as hard as 107 miles per hour with pop to all fields will get him in the White Sox lineup.
5) Colson Montgomery – 22 Y/O SS
MiLB Stats (Triple-A): .214 AVG/.329 OBP/.381 SLG/18 HR/8 SB/28.6 K%/12.0 BB%
On paper, a drop from #1 to #5 may signal a regression for Montgomery. The reality could not be further from the truth. The only reason he dropped four spots is that three new elite prospects joined the organization, and one had a breakout season last season. Montgomery’s 2024, while not excellent, demonstrated the tools that made him a top prospect in the first place. He mashed 18 homers, stole eight bases and posted a .710 OPS. At 6’3″, 225, with a smooth lefty swing, Montgomery has the frame to be a legitimate power threat at shortstop. While his minor league numbers don’t match up, the build is reminiscent of Corey Seager.
However, the major performance drop-off needs to be considered. His wRC+ dropped almost 70 points, and his strikeout rate spiked by 9%. Granted, this was his first experience in Triple-A, and his BABIP dropped by 70 points. The underlying swing data is also encouraging. He made contact on 84% of pitches in the zone and kept his CSW% under 30%. Montgomery still has a way to go defensively, posting 19 errors at short last season, but his offensive upside should be intriguing for fantasy managers. The White Sox need someone to step up and be an impact player in the infield, and Montgomery has the chance to do just that.
6) Kyle Teel – 22 Y/O C
MiLB Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): .288/.386/.433/13 HR/12 SB/23.0 K%/13.5 BB%
It was surprising to see that the Red Sox included Teel in the deal to land Crochet. Considering the organizational depth at the catcher spot in Boston is somewhat thin, it was very possible that Teel could have been the #1 option at Fenway Park within the next year. Hypotheticals aside, the White Sox have to be thrilled that they acquired a potential franchise backstop this offseason. Teel was one of the best offensive catchers in recent NCAA history, hitting .343 with 28 HRs and a .979 OPS in three seasons with Virginia.
Since arriving in professional baseball, Teel has continued to hit. In 138 games since being drafted, he’s slashing .301/.404/.444 with 15 homers. Teel also has the ability to get on base (13.5% BB in 2024) but needs to improve on a 27.6% whiff rate in Triple-A. Teel also doesn’t hit the ball especially hard. His Triple-A average exit velocity (86.3) would rank dead last among qualified MLB catchers. The White Sox will find a way to utilize Teel’s offensive skills in the majors next season, but he may fall into the 12-15 homer range as opposed to 20+. Either way, Teel is one of the most talented hitters the Sox have in their system, and he will get plenty of chances to demonstrate that.
7) Chase Meidroth – 23 Y/O INF
MiLB Stats (Triple-A): .293 AVG/.437 OBP/.400 SLG /7 HR/13 SB /12.7 K%/18.8 BB%
There are very few players in professional baseball more adept at putting the ball in play than Meidroth. His 3.2 SwStr% ranked second among all minor league hitters last season and would have ranked #2 in MLB, behind Steven Kwan and Luis Arraez. When a pitch crosses the plate over the zone, there’s a 94% chance that Meidroth will put the ball in play. If he had 20-25 homer potential, he’d be in the “best prospect in baseball” conversation. However, he’ll more likely land in the 6-8 homer range in the majors.
Oh, and he gets on base too. Meidroth had the best OBP among Triple-A hitters last year and the second-best walk rate. In 5×5 leagues, Meidroth will be one of the most consistent sources of AVG and OBP available, while in points leagues his value might decrease slightly. He will have to compete with Miguel Vargas, Josh Rojas and Brooks Baldwin for spots in the lineup, but his ability to make contact should get him plenty of chances.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
8) George Wolkow – 19 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats: .257/.357/.451/13 HR/9 SB/40.3 K%/12.0 BB%
Two things stand out when looking at Wolkow. Firstly, his height (6’7″). Secondly, his strikeout rate eclipsed the 40% mark last season. Wolkow makes contact on just 55% of his swings, but when he does make contact it does damage. As an 18-year-old in Single-A, he mashed 11 home runs, with one measuring nearly 460 feet. Wolkow could also grow into a plus runner. He stole nine bases in 91 games last season, which is impressive considering his size. There are major red flags in Wolkow’s profile that need to be addressed, but the tools he possesses don’t come around every day. His ceiling is a potential superstar, however, his floor is a 200+ strikeout, “three true outcomes” hitter. There’s plenty of time for Wolkow to make changes to his game, but until he does, fantasy owners should proceed with caution.
9) Caleb Bonemer 19 Y/O INF
MiLB Stats: N/A – 2024 Draft
The 2024 Draft for the White Sox may go down as one of their best classes in recent history. If drafting a potential front-of-the-line starter wasn’t enough, they landed one of the top prep bats in the country with their second selection. Bonemer was named player of the year in Michigan for two years running, hitting .435 with seven homers in his final season in high school. Bonemer possesses plus bat speed and exit velocities, in addition to good bat-to-ball skills. His defensive home is still up in the air, as scouts debate whether his future home will be at short or at third, but his glove is good enough to stick in the infield going forward.
10) Jairo Iriarte – 23 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats (Double-A): 126.0 IP/3.71 ERA/22.8 K%/10.7 BB%
MLB Stats: 6.0 IP/1.50 ERA/20.0 K%/26.7 BB%
Iriarte was given a “trial by fire” in September, being promoted to the major leagues straight from Double-A. He wasn’t stellar in six brief relief appearances, giving up eight walks. However, he limited opposing hitters to a .188 AVG, giving up just one earned run. Iriarte limited hard contact (6.3 Barrel%, 86.3 Avg EV) and generated plenty of groundballs. However, he needs to improve on his strikeout numbers to truly be a fantasy asset. Despite his use in the bullpen, Iriarte was utilized as a starter in the minors, which is where his future likely lies in Chicago. The starting roles are wide open on the South Side, so a strong spring could see Iriarte compete for a middle-to-bottom of the rotation spot out of camp.
11) Grant Taylor – 22 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats (A+): 19.1 IP / 2.33 ERA /44.4 K%/2.8 BB%
Injuries have limited Taylor’s time on the field so far in his career. When he was healthy though, he was downright dominant. Taylor struck out 32 batters in just under 20 innings of work, allowing just five earned runs in 2024. He struggled in his return to action in the Arizona Fall League (9.39 ERA, 17.6 H/9), but will have a clean slate in 2025. Taylor possesses a plus, mid-90s fastball and cutter, in tandem with two good breaking balls. These pitches, when on, give hitters fits. His 37.2% CSW and 68.7% contact rate are both high-level numbers that will give the White Sox faith that he can grow into his middle-of-the-rotation projection.
12) Jacob Gonzalez – 22 Y/O SS
MiLB Stats (A+, Double-A): .238/.307/.343/8 HR/17 SB/12.9 K%/8.2 BB%
While Gonzalez’s collegiate counting stats haven’t translated for Gonzalez in pro ball, his offensive profile has evolved into being a reliable bat. He got off to a hot start in High-A, posting a 122 wRC+ with a .763 OPS in his first 36 games. Those numbers earned him a promotion to Double-A, where he struggled to make a similar impact. Gonzalez posted a .225/.284/.321 slash line in his final 96 games of the season. At just 22, he has time to make the necessary adjustments to establish himself in Double-A, building on his smooth lefty swing and plus power potential. Outside of Montgomery, infield talent in the White Sox system is limited, so Gonzalez should be afforded plenty of time to try and lay claim to a roster spot.
13) Bryan Ramos – 22 Y/O 3B
MiLB Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): .242/.320/.387/10 HR/8 SB/22.8 K%/8.2% BB%
MLB Stats: .202 AVG/.252 OBP/.333 SLG/3 HR/0 SB/20.4 K%/6.5 BB%
After making his major league debut in early May, Bryan Ramos struggled to make an impact with the White Sox. The corner-infielder mustered a wRC+ of just 21, hitting .196 with two extra-base hits in 15 games. After being sent down to make adjustments, he was much better in his 17-game September stint. Ramos posted a 99 wRC+, boosting his walk rate by 8% and hitting his first three homers of his career. The 22-year-old has plenty to work on, mainly his 29% whiff rate and 6% barrel rate. However, he possesses plus speed (28 mph, 86th percentile) and a solid average exit velocity (90.1 mph), which should give him a solid base to work with next season. The White Sox are lacking some depth at third base, and Ramos could lay claim to the hot corner by the end of the season.
14) Nick McLain – 22 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats: N/A – 2024 Draft
The White Sox’s third-round selection could turn out to be one of the steals of the 2024 Draft. Matt McLain’s little brother suffered several injuries that limited his time on the field between UCLA and Arizona State, but when he was healthy, the offensive impact was clear to see. In his final season in Tempe, McLain hit .342 with a 1.120 OPS in 48 games. The summer before that, he spent the summer in the Cape Cod League, where he posted a .802 OPS with four homers in 26 games. McLain projects as a corner outfielder going forward, and has spent time in both left and right in college. While he may not possess 30+ homer power like some of the top outfield prospects do, McLain is an experienced college bat with the potential to rack up 15-20 homers per season.
15) Wikelman Gonzalez – 22 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats (Double-A): 83.2 IP/4.73 ERA/25.6%/12.8 BB%
Gonzalez is the fourth and final piece of the Crochet trade to crack the Top 15. The 6’0″ righty spent the entire season at Double-A, garnering mixed results. He struck out nearly 10 batters per nine but walked almost six. Gonzalez also failed to go deeper than five innings in any of his 19 starts last year. The lack of longevity and control that he possesses does not scream success at the higher levels. However, his stuff is legit. Gonzalez’s fastball tops at 97, and plays very well up in the zone because of his “shot-put”-esque release point. His curve fools hitters, dropping off the plane at the last possible second. The changeup has a heavy arm-side sink and run, making it tough for hitters on either side of the plate to react to its deviation from the fastball. Gonzalez has the potential to make it to the White Sox rotation, but he needs to limit walks and go deeper into games to make that a reality.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the Top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players.
Nick Nastrini – Former Dodgers farmhand trying to rebuild his career. Struggled in the majors last season (7.07 ERA, 35.2 IP), but has exciting stuff that played well in the minors. REALLY needs to work on control for next season (9.09 BB/9).
Mason Adams – JUST misses out on the Top 15. 2.92 ERA primarily in Double-A, due to repertoire highlighted by fastball/slider mix. Went five or more IP in 17/22 games. Struggled slightly in Triple-A to end the season (5.04 FIP in five appearances).
Seth Keener – Wake Forest product with a plus slider and fastball that plays well up in the zone. The command needs to be addressed (4.67 BB/9), but he has the stuff to stick in the rotation.
Alexander Albertus – Acquired by Chicago from L.A. in the Kopech/Fedde deal. 20 y/o third baseman with good walk/strikeout rates in Single-A. Limited power/speed potential limited future fantasy value.
Samuel Zavala – Struggled offensively as a 20 y/o in High-A with a .187 AVG. Has 15 HRs/20 SBs potential, but needs to improve offensively to be a factor in fantasy.