Scouting report on Pierce George who jumped from unranked to 16th. He wasn't on my radar at all.

16. Pierce George

RHP

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

Previous Rank: Unranked

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Adjusted Grade: 30

Track Record: George’s radar gun readings made him a top recruit coming out of high school, but his control issues meant he barely pitched at Texas or Alabama in two years of college ball. The White Sox drafted him in the 13th round in 2024. He took his lumps in 2025, walking 45 in 47.2 innings, but the consistent work helped him start to find the strike zone. The payoff has come this year, as he’s shown the same power stuff with much better control.

Scouting Report: George has long had the ability to tickle triple digits. He sits at 96-97 mph and has touched 102, but now it’s around the strike zone enough for it to be effective. George’s control has jumped two grades in one season, from well below-average to fringe-average. George relied in 2025 on a curveball that he couldn’t land for strikes. He’s now throwing a cutter in the low-90s that he can consistently spot in the zone. He’s also able to turn to a 82-84 mph slider that gets whiffs. His fastball doesn’t have exceptional movement, but when he’s sitting 99-100 as he will in some outings, it doesn’t really matter. Now that he’s getting ahead, hitters have been relatively helpless. As of mid-May he was striking out more than 40% of batters.

The Future: George’s one-season transformation is remarkable. He walked 17 of the last 58 batters he faced in 2025. This year, he walked four of the first 63 batters he faced. With his well-above-average velocity, he profiles as a high-leverage reliever if he can build on his early-season success.

Tools Grades Fastball: 65 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 45.

Nice to see some big jumps by Pierce George and Davis. Oppor hurts, though.

1 hour ago, DirtySox said:

Top 20 from the new top 30 at BA. Will note previous ranks in parenthesis. Jacob Gonzalez is ranked 23rd. Was previously 25th for those wondering. Seems criminally low. I also think Gabe Davis is far too low. He's a top 10 guy for me.

I know it's my irrational mind, but all of the sudden, Andy Wilkins popped into my head. I know we keep hearing the numbers, but has anyone looked at him and said that something looks for real, instead of one of those 4A type of explosions we see every once in a while? Has something really changed, or is he maxxed out here?

From today's BA hot sheet chat.

Anonymous

When do we see Caleb Bonemer in AA? Are they looking for a lower K rate before that happens?

Ian Cundall

I'd guess sometime this summer. More consistent contact and defense are the areas I think the White Sox want to see from him before making that move.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/hot-sheet-mlb-prospects-chat-5-18-26/

Edited May 18May 18 by DirtySox

More from the BA chat.

AJ

Do we buy the Jacob Gonzalez resurgence? How much of this is Truist field effect? Seems he only moved up from 25 to 23 on the new top 30 rankings.

Ian Cundall

His underlying data is mixed. No real huge changes in his contact rates, but his power is up and so is his walk rate. Definitely a step in the right direction but not sure if it's a drastic change yet.

4 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I know it's my irrational mind, but all of the sudden, Andy Wilkins popped into my head. I know we keep hearing the numbers, but has anyone looked at him and said that something looks for real, instead of one of those 4A type of explosions we see every once in a while? Has something really changed, or is he maxxed out here?

I've been keeping close watch on the Statcast expected stats. Like nearly all players on Charlotte, his actual production is well ahead of what's expected. That said, he's tops in expected stats among the remaining players in Charlotte. Ranks 40th out of 338 full-time AAA players in xwOBA. So he's legitimately hitting well. His xwOBA is a notch higher than Tim Elko's was last year. So as I see it, Jacob has certainly hit some chipshots over the short porches in Charlotte, but he's also hitting the ball a ton better than he did last season and better than most AAA hitters.

Whether he can keep that up or if it's somehow not able to be translated to better competition, I don't know. One thing he has over the Wilkins and Elko types is he's not that old and he doesn't have to hit that well to be a useful player since he's a middle infielder. Even better, a left-handed hitting one. Of course, for now the MLB club seems to have infielders in spades so IDK what you do with Jacob besides see if he keeps it up in Charlotte.

Edited May 18May 18 by Jake

What's the report on Gonzo as an IF? Capable defender at all 3B, SS and 2B? If that's the case and they thing Montgomery can backup CF when he's in Chicago Acuna's time might be limited.

6 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

What's the report on Gonzo as an IF? Capable defender at all 3B, SS and 2B? If that's the case and they thing Montgomery can backup CF when he's in Chicago Acuna's time might be limited.

Only 18 career milb games at 3B.

Limited arm and range for SS at major league level.

Less speed than Cholowsky...everyone thought he should ultimately end up at second base.

1 hour ago, chitownsportsfan said:

What's the report on Gonzo as an IF? Capable defender at all 3B, SS and 2B? If that's the case and they thing Montgomery can backup CF when he's in Chicago Acuna's time might be limited.

I am kind of surprised they haven't tried Gonzalez in the OF somewhere. If he could play even a passable LF or CF, he could help this team if his bat carries at all.

48 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I am kind of surprised they haven't tried Gonzalez in the OF somewhere. If he could play even a passable LF or CF, he could help this team if his bat carries at all.

No shot he can play CF. That 40 run isn't it. It's actually kind of surprising he can play a cromulent SS, but he makes it work to an extent.

Edited May 18May 18 by DirtySox

Remember this dude?

MiLB.com

Cristian Mena Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fanta...

Cristian Mena Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

Two 60-day DL stints since 2025 for a shoulder injury. Yikes. I remember a lot of us flipped our s%*# when we traded him for Dominic Fletcher. I guess the jury's still out on if he becomes anything, typically recurring shoulder injuries and pitchers precedes being hurt and out of baseball eventually

From the White Sox Top 30 Update article BA posted this morning. Already shared the Shelton and Pierce George portions in a previous post. Capturing the others here.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-chicago-white-sox-top-30-prospects-may-update/

Chicago White Sox Top 30 Prospect Additions

10. David Sandlin, RHP

BA Grade: 50/Average

Track Record: Originally drafted by the Royals, Sandlin was traded to the Red Sox prior to the 2024 season, then dealt to the White Sox in the contract dump trade that also sent righthander Jordan Hicks to Chicago in exchange for Gage Ziehl. Sandlin’s 2025 season was his healthiest as a professional but featured up-and-down results. A slow start in Double-A gave way to his most consistent run as a starter, when he pitched to a 2.63 ERA over 10 starts, and a promotion to Triple-A. But an audition for a big league bullpen role went poorly, and Sandlin never got called up. He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He was slowed in spring training by a back injury, but he has returned to action and was slowly lengthening out his starts as of mid-May.

Scouting Report: Though Sandlin sits 96-97 mph and can touch 100, his modest extension and high three-quarters slot afford hitters a clean look, making his fastball play below its velocity. Thus, he added a cutter and sinker in 2025 with promising results in Double-A that didn’t carry over to Triple-A. He creates numerous breaking ball shapes and speeds, with a sweeper and slider showing wipeout potential against righties. His changeup flashes potential but remains inconsistent as an armside offering for lefties. He throws enough strikes with his diverse repertoire to keep the door open to starting.

The Future: Sandlin has a No. 4 starter’s ceiling but a likelier path to being a leverage bullpen arm. He’ll start for now, and if he can develop in Charlotte, he’s a candidate for a midseason callup in either a fill-in starter or relief role.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Sweeper: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 50.

22. Tyler Schweitzer, LHP

BA Grade: 40/Average

Track Record: Schweitzer was the MAC pitcher of the year at Ball State in 2022. The White Sox spent two and a half seasons trying to develop the lefty as a starter. He was shelled repeatedly in the first half of 2025 at Triple-A Charlotte, and finally after posting a 7.92 ERA in 15 outings, he was demoted to Double-A Birmingham to work out of the bullpen. The results were immediate, as he didn’t allow a run in his first eight outings at Birmingham. Sent back to Charlotte to start 2026, Schweitzer impressed in a multi-inning role. He made his MLB debut on May 9.

Scouting Report: Schweitzer struggled to maintain his control and stuff as a starter, but he’s shown he can do so more consistently going through the lineup one time. He sits 93-94 mph and touches 96 with his four-seam fastball, and his 87-88 mph slider is an above-average offering, especially against lefties. He will mix in a fringy changeup to give righthanded hitters something that works away from them, since his fastball and slider are both pitches he largely spots gloveside.

The Future: Schweitzer profiles as a multi-inning reliever. With multiple options remaining, he can bounce up and down as the White Sox need.

30. Ryan Burrowes, OF/SS

BA Grade: 40/Average

Track Record: The White Sox signed Burrowes out of Panama in 2022. He quickly played his way to the States and hit his way to full-season ball in 2024. His development has slowed since then, as he spent a year and a half at Low-A Kannapolis. On a loaded Winston-Salem team, he has showcased his versatility this year, playing shortstop, second base, center field and left field.

Scouting Report: Burrowes is unlikely to be an everyday regular in the majors, especially for the White Sox with their abundance of shortstops, but he has real value as a multiposition backup who can play above-average defense in center field and at least average defense at shortstop. He’s a plus runner with gap power and fringe-average hitting ability.

The Future: Burrowes’ path to the big leagues is as a player who expands the back of the roster because of his ability to play almost anywhere. His speed and basestealing ability—47 steals in 53 attempts in 2025—add to that value.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50.

Chicago White Sox Prospect Risers

Braden Montgomery, OF: As was the case in 2025, the White Sox were conservative with Montgomery’s Opening Day assignment and, like last year, he responded by quickly hitting his way to the next level. Montgomery was one of the best hitters in the Southern League, earning a May 5 promotion to Triple-A Charlotte. His righthanded swing is not as advanced as his lefty stroke, but he’s not far away from being ready to join the big league club.

Sam Antonacci, OF: Antonacci has outplayed his projections. Once seen by many evaluators as an extra outfielder, Antonacci impressed in the World Baseball Classic and then hit his way into an everyday job in the White Sox outfield.

Colby Shelton, 2B: Shelton has leapt from outside the White Sox Top 30 coming into the season to the cusp of the Top 10 now. He has revamped his approach, trading a bit of contact for a lot more power. He showed that power early in his college career before focusing on reducing strikeouts as a junior at Florida. Now, he’s showing he can balance both.

Chicago White Sox Prospect Fallers

Christian Oppor, LHP: Oppor’s control issues remain a consistent problem. He has touched 98 mph this year, but he can’t throw his fastball or changeup in the zone, and his slider has been so wild as to be almost unusable.

George Wolkow, OF: It often takes tall hitters and pitchers longer to develop, and that’s apparent with Wolkow. Wolkow can hit tape-measure home runs with 80-grade raw power, but he is regularly carved up by pitchers with command.

Jeral Perez, 2B/3B: Perez has struggled to control the strike zone against more advanced Double-A pitchers. With the White Sox suddenly deep in infielders, the 2022 international signee may soon get squeezed by the players on the Winston-Salem roster bucking for promotions.

Chicago White Sox Prospect Injuries

Righthander Tanner McDougal left his April 29 start and then went on the injured list with forearm pain that was diagnosed as a flexor strain.

Shortstop William Bergolla is sidelined with a shin contusion.

Lefthander Ky Bush is still rehabbing and recovering from last season’s Tommy John surgery.

Righthander Mason Adams is recovering from last season’s Tommy John surgery.

Righthander Aldrin Batista was impressing in spring training in his return from Tommy John surgery. He’s sidelined again, as he needed further surgery on his elbow. His ligament was fine, but he needed a screw to stabilize a bone injury.

Righthander Luis Reyes has a lat injury. He is on the full-season injured list.

Righthander Yobal Rodriguez will miss the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Edited May 20May 20 by DirtySox

29 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

From the White Sox Top 30 Update article BA posted this morning. Already shared the Shelton and Pierce George portions in a previous post. Capturing the others here.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-chicago-white-sox-top-30-prospects-may-update/

Kyle Larson?

Yay!

9 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Kyle Larson?

What?

Sorry for lacking sources, but I saw an interview with Jacob Gonzalez recently in which he expressed interest in playing the outfield. Said he felt comfortable doing so thanks to experience from his amateur days. He probably would like a taste of those big league paychecks so he might be willing to say such a thing even if he doesn't mean it, lol

1 hour ago, Jake said:

Sorry for lacking sources, but I saw an interview with Jacob Gonzalez recently in which he expressed interest in playing the outfield. Said he felt comfortable doing so thanks to experience from his amateur days. He probably would like a taste of those big league paychecks so he might be willing to say such a thing even if he doesn't mean it, lol

Doesn't have power arm for RF or speed/range/burst for CF.

So then he's going to push Antonacci/Hays out this year? And / or Benintendi cut?

They won't make that move with AB's numbers in the mid 600s or higher for ops.

Seems more logical to trade him for something that's more certain but an older player with established big league credentials.

Even then, well that's kind of Peters Hill and Pereira already.

Just hold and wait until a team desperately needs a SS 2B. That's what he clearly is. A middle infielder who spots starts at SS and more regularly plays 2B in terms of his tools at the next level.

Something weird is happening across the minor leagues.

Runs per game have skyrocketed. Home runs are flying out at unprecedented rates.

And no one knows why.

The changes are so dramatic that they defy any normal explanation. When asked, Major League Baseball officials confirmed that no intentional changes have been made that would explain this. The baseball, one of the largest potential variables that could affect runs and home runs, is supposed to be the same ball as it was last year, when runs and home runs were dramatically lower.

“We have confirmed with Rawlings that there has been no change to the manufacturing process, and we are monitoring the data,” an MLB official told Baseball America when asked about the changes in runs and home runs.

But something is happening.

In just one offseason, some leagues have gone from being among the lowest scoring environments in recent memory to producing offense at levels never seen in MLB history.

Seems like the MiLB ball is livelier this year for some reason (AAA where they use the MLB ball seems unaffected).

On 5/18/2026 at 9:29 AM, Lukakke Appling said:

Nice to see some big jumps by Pierce George and Davis. Oppor hurts, though.

Oppor, McDougal, Hagen Smith and Shane Smith not progressing have really hurt. The old adage of you never have to much pitching again appears true. Hope in the draft this year we add some more arms.

20 hours ago, BamaDoc said:

Oppor, McDougal, Hagen Smith and Shane Smith not progressing have really hurt. The old adage of you never have to much pitching again appears true. Hope in the draft this year we add some more arms.

Yes, it’s been absolute killer. At the same time, pitching can just suddenly click with the right tweaks, so always good to maintain faith with high talent arms. Just sucks that injuries are also a factor with two of the four above.

20 hours ago, BamaDoc said:

Oppor, McDougal, Hagen Smith and Shane Smith not progressing have really hurt. The old adage of you never have to much pitching again appears true. Hope in the draft this year we add some more arms.

Reason that I prefer Contreras over Thome as the vanity pick.

Braden?