January 1Jan 1 New Catch-All thread. BA has piece on New Year's Resolutions for each org's farm system. Quote Chicago White Sox Resolution: Fix Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith Thanks to the signing of Munetaka Murakami, landing the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft and the emergence of rookies like Kyle Teel and Colson Montgomery, there’s plenty for White Sox fans to be excited about heading into 2026. The team’s young core is beginning to show flashes of the kind of impact that could make Chicago competitive for the first time in a while. But if the White Sox want to contend consistently, the development of Schultz and Smith is absolutely critical. Both lefthanders have been among the most heralded prospects in the system over the past year thanks to their advanced stuff and high upside, yet injuries have prevented them from reaching their full potential. Getting them healthy and helping them translate their minor league success to the big leagues could be the difference between a promising farm system and a truly impactful one. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-new-years-resolutions-for-all-30-mlb-farm-systems/ Edited January 1Jan 1 by DirtySox
January 6Jan 6 55 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said: BA really likes Bonemer I agree with them 100%. I've had him as the top Sox prospect since midseason. For me, he's their best-looking A-ball player since Colson.
January 7Jan 7 Author See below for the Top 20 of what is now a Top 30. Quote 1. Noah Schultz 2. Caleb Bonemer 3. Braden Montgomery 4. Hagen Smith 5. Billy Carlson 6. Tanner McDougal 7. Jaden Fauske 8. Christian Oppor 9. Sam Antonacci 10. Kyle Lodise 11. Mathias LaCombe 12. William Bergolla 13. Ky Bush 14. Mason Adams 15. George Wolkow 16. Javier Mogollon 17. Jeral Perez 18. Aldrin Batista 19. Jedixson Paez 20. Alexander Alberto https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2027-chicago-white-sox/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseason Edited January 7Jan 7 by DirtySox
January 7Jan 7 2 hours ago, DirtySox said: See below for the Top 20 of what is now a Top 30. https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2027-chicago-white-sox/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseason The last 10: 21. RHP Gage Ziehl 22. LHP Blake Larson 23. RHP Jairo iriarte 24. C Landon Hodge 25. SS Jacob Gonzalez 26. RHP Luis Reyes 27. RHP Gabe Davis 28. LHP Shane Murphy 29. RHP Yobal Rodriguez 30. IF Matthew Boughton Top 5 are all 55+ grades (65 for Noah, 60 for Bones) but mostly high risk (other than Montgomery who is average risk). In the "adjusted grade" which accounts for risk, the top 5 stays the same but McDougal moves into a tie with Carlson to join the upper tier. Gonna see if there's anything new or of note in the writeups...
January 7Jan 7 3 hours ago, DirtySox said: See below for the Top 20 of what is now a Top 30. https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2027-chicago-white-sox/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseason Boenmer over Monty is crazy after what Colson just did at the major league level last year.
January 7Jan 7 Author 26 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said: Boenmer over Monty is crazy after what Colson just did at the major league level last year. What? Colson graduated.
January 7Jan 7 Author 1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said: Haha, yeah, brain wreck Ah yes. The double Montgomery. Didn't even realize.
January 8Jan 8 4 hours ago, Timmy U said: Iriarte still being on this list is insane imho. Both him and Jacob Gonzalez for that matter.
January 8Jan 8 2 hours ago, Sleepy Harold said: Both him and Jacob Gonzalez for that matter. Embarrassing.
January 12Jan 12 On 1/7/2026 at 11:46 AM, DirtySox said: See below for the Top 20 of what is now a Top 30. https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2027-chicago-white-sox/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseason I’m actually kind of shocked how good this system is for having practically nothing coming from Latin America. I really like the top 9 guys. I think Schultz & Smith are both suffering from some prospect fatigue and deserve a greater benefit of the doubt when it comes to their somewhat lackluster results last year. If Schultz’s slider comes back next year (which I don’t see why it wouldn’t), then I see him as the same high ceiling, 60 FV talent he always was with the same question marks on health & durability. Bonemer has a fuckton of helium right now and could cement top 30 prospect status with a strong start to the season. And candidly, I think that Braden is being slept on a ton. Dude no doubt has contact issue concerns, but he has insane physical ability and was pushed up three levels in his first professional season. Overall, the top nine is very fucking good. I think 10 through 20 is where you start seeing the cracks. Lots of low ceiling SPs, an intriguing arm who likely ends up being a reliever in Batista, a high ceiling high floor OF in Wolkow, and a bunch of UT / 2B types. We’re really going to need some breakthrough performances from guys in the 20’s and beyond to fill in the gaps here. The likely graduations of many guys in the top 20 won’t help matter, but what should be a strong 2026 draft should help by season’s end. Again, really need the LA program to start bearing fruit in the next couple of years if we ever want to have a consistently good farm system.
January 12Jan 12 6 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said: I’m actually kind of shocked how good this system is for having practically nothing coming from Latin America. I really like the top 9 guys. I think Schultz & Smith are both suffering from some prospect fatigue and deserve a greater benefit of the doubt when it comes to their somewhat lackluster results last year. If Schultz’s slider comes back next year (which I don’t see why it wouldn’t), then I see him as the same high ceiling, 60 FV talent he always was with the same question marks on health & durability. Bonemer has a fuckton of helium right now and could cement top 30 prospect status with a strong start to the season. And candidly, I think that Braden is being slept on a ton. Dude no doubt has contact issue concerns, but he has insane physical ability and was pushed up three levels in his first professional season. Overall, the top nine is very fucking good. I think 10 through 20 is where you start seeing the cracks. Lots of low ceiling SPs, an intriguing arm who likely ends up being a reliever in Batista, a high ceiling high floor OF in Wolkow, and a bunch of UT / 2B types. We’re really going to need some breakthrough performances from guys in the 20’s and beyond to fill in the gaps here. The likely graduations of many guys in the top 20 won’t help matter, but what should be a strong 2026 draft should help by season’s end. Again, really need the LA program to start bearing fruit in the next couple of years if we ever want to have a consistently good farm system. And 10 of the top 11 are WSox draftees. McDougal, Oppor, Antonacci and LaCombe are lower round picks everybody's been clamoring for the Sox to sneak into their top prospect lists.
January 12Jan 12 45 minutes ago, WestEddy said: And 10 of the top 11 are WSox draftees. McDougal, Oppor, Antonacci and LaCombe are lower round picks everybody's been clamoring for the Sox to sneak into their top prospect lists. Drafting and developing has certainly gotten better. I’m a big fan of Shirley and think he’s legit good at what he does if unimpeded. Need to see some more wins on the development side before I say we are even average there, but am confident we are no longer multitudes below the normal bad teams.
January 14Jan 14 58 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said: Carlson's at #23 Griffin is a no doubt shortstop. Does anyone else in their Top 10 stay at the position? Maybe Miller, Bonemer, and Rainer. But doubtful. Otherwise, definitely not.
January 14Jan 14 On 1/12/2026 at 11:22 AM, Chicago White Sox said: I’m actually kind of shocked how good this system is for having practically nothing coming from Latin America. I really like the top 9 guys. I think Schultz & Smith are both suffering from some prospect fatigue and deserve a greater benefit of the doubt when it comes to their somewhat lackluster results last year. If Schultz’s slider comes back next year (which I don’t see why it wouldn’t), then I see him as the same high ceiling, 60 FV talent he always was with the same question marks on health & durability. Bonemer has a fuckton of helium right now and could cement top 30 prospect status with a strong start to the season. And candidly, I think that Braden is being slept on a ton. Dude no doubt has contact issue concerns, but he has insane physical ability and was pushed up three levels in his first professional season. Overall, the top nine is very fucking good. I think 10 through 20 is where you start seeing the cracks. Lots of low ceiling SPs, an intriguing arm who likely ends up being a reliever in Batista, a high ceiling high floor OF in Wolkow, and a bunch of UT / 2B types. We’re really going to need some breakthrough performances from guys in the 20’s and beyond to fill in the gaps here. The likely graduations of many guys in the top 20 won’t help matter, but what should be a strong 2026 draft should help by season’s end. Again, really need the LA program to start bearing fruit in the next couple of years if we ever want to have a consistently good farm system. And Blake Larson is a little low for me on this list. A left handed starter who was looking really good at instructs before TJ. Landon Hodge should be higher. I'm tired of seeing Ky Bush on these lists too. A 26 year old reliever at best. And he wasn't even looking that good before TJ.
January 14Jan 14 16 hours ago, Timmy U said: Griffin is a no doubt shortstop. Does anyone else in their Top 10 stay at the position? Maybe Miller, Bonemer, and Rainer. But doubtful. Otherwise, definitely not. I think Walcott could stick. He’s a big boy, but a freak athlete. Your point remains, though. Edited January 14Jan 14 by Lukakke Appling
January 27Jan 27 Author BA's breakout prospects for the White Sox. Will post the blurbs for two of the three. Aldrin Batista was also listed. Quote BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme Adjusted Grade: 30 Track Record: The White Sox received a supplemental second-round pick from the Mariners in the 2024 trade for righthander Gregory Santos and used it to select Larson out of IMG Academy, signing him for $1.397 million to buy out a Texas Christian commitment. Larson didn’t debut after the draft, instead pitching in instructional league games, then returned to the White Sox complex for a January 2025 minicamp with the goal of adding more strength to his lean frame. Instead, he blew out his elbow and needed season-ending Tommy John surgery in February. Scouting Report: Larson fit the preferred White Sox profile as a lanky southpaw with a lower arm slot, and prior to surgery his two-seam fastball sat 93-94 mph and touched 95. He’ll likely add a bit more velocity as he packs on more strength. Larson’s main secondary is a low-80s sweepy slider that gets swings and misses because of its high spin rate. It has been a chase pitch to lefties and a breaking ball he can backfoot to righties. He seldom used a high-80s changeup in high school, and developing that pitch will be a goal when he gets back on the mound. He’ll also need to improve his below-average control and command. The Future: Larson is unlikely to get back into games and make his pro debut until after spring training. Depending on his rehab, there’s a chance he could reach Low-A Kannapolis by the end of 2026. Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Sweeper: 55 | Control: 40 Quote Matthew Boughton, 2B/SS BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme Adjusted Grade: 30 Track Record: Boughton was one of the older high schoolers in the 2025 class and turned 20 just two months after the draft. He was not a highly rated draft prospect, but the White Sox regarded the Texas native as a sleeper and signed him to an over-slot $197,500 bonus in the 11th round to keep him from a Texas A&M commitment. His father Michael was a minor league shortstop, coached in the Dodgers system and more recently was his high school coach. Boughton took a regular turn at second base in bridge league games after signing. Scouting Report: A multi-sport athlete in high school, Boughton’s athleticism and speed immediately stand out. At the plate, he has a chance to be an average hitter with fringe-average power. His fast hands get the barrel through the zone quickly, but he will need to add strength and improve his bat path. Boughton projects as more of a glove-over-bat type and is an above-average defender at both middle infield positions with an above-average arm. He’s a plus runner, and his athletic tools and overall instincts for the game could give him a chance to play center field. The Future: Boughton turns 21 in September, so he could move relatively quickly if he handles his first taste of full-season ball. His likely ceiling is a super utility role in the big leagues. Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55 Edited January 27Jan 27 by DirtySox
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