Introduction to the White Sox’ Rebuilding Efforts
Even with the excitement brought on by an emerging young core at the major-league level, there are plenty of growing pains for the White Sox to go through on their way to what they hope will be perennial contention. There might be no better team to confirm that than the visiting Orioles, who are wrapping up a mighty disappointing last-place season not long after they were pegged as baseball’s dominant force of the future, thanks to an overwhelming supply of minor-league talent in recent years.
The Orioles’ Example
But as that talent has reached the majors — and in many cases impressed — there have been a couple quick playoff exits and now this, a miserable campaign that featured a midseason managerial change. Sox fans are hoping they won’t have to experience similar backsliding upon a planned return to the postseason. But there were reminders of those growing pains all over the place in an 8-7 loss Tuesday.
Signs of Progress
Certainly, there was good. Catcher Kyle Teel homered in the first inning, and second baseman Chase Meidroth extended his hitting streak to 12 games, moving his September batting average to .408. Moments like those are flashing indicators of progress in the middle of Chris Getz’s slow-moving rebuilding effort.
Challenges Ahead
But there was also bad. Righty starter Shane Smith has been a rare Sox feel-good pitching story this season, vaulting from Rule 5 pick to All Star while young arms around him in both the majors and minors have struggled. But Smith was the one to struggle Tuesday, knocked around for six runs on nine hits in just 4„ innings. His ERA shot up from 3.78 to 4.06.
Learning from Mistakes
It obviously won’t drop him out of the long-term planning. He still seems to have little competition for the team’s No. 1 starter spot to begin 2026. But it was the third time in his last six outings in which he allowed four or more runs and matched a season high with six runs on his tab. “This outing reminds me of what I went through in June and July,” Smith said. “The approach is much better now than it was during that time. But it comes down to execution. … It stings a lot worse. Making the same mistake twice is unacceptable.”
Cold Stretches
Meanwhile, shortstop Colson Montgomery, who has generated more buzz than anyone among Sox fans, plunged deeper into a cold stretch thanks to an 0-for-3 night, now batting .129 in his last 10 games since smacking his 18th homer. No end of the spectrum is worth making too big a deal over, not with a long way to go in the rebuild. The Sox are trying to avoid a third consecutive 100-loss season, something they’ll only do by winning at least six of their final 10 games.
Sox have an MVP
Sox infield prospect Caleb Bonemer, 19, earned MVP honors in the Carolina League. Bonemer, who the Sox took with their second-round draft pick last year, led the league in both on-base percentage (.400) and slugging percentage (.458) in 96 games for Class A Kannapolis before a late-season promotion to Class A Winston-Salem. He’s currently ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Sox’ farm system and the No. 83 prospect in baseball.
Conclusion
Montgomery is the highest-rated prospect in the Sox’ system and impressed with a strong first full pro campaign. Smith, meanwhile, has plenty to work on but still strikes as a building block on the South Side. After being shut down for the season, the Sox are looking ahead to next spring as they chart the future of their top-ranked pitching prospect. The highest drama during the last two weeks will be whether the Sox lose 100 games for a third consecutive season. But team brass sees progress, if mostly intangible, that points toward a brighter South Side future.
FAQs
- Q: Who is the highest-rated prospect in the White Sox’ system?
A: Colson Montgomery is the highest-rated prospect in the White Sox’ system. - Q: What is the significance of Shane Smith’s performance this season?
A: Shane Smith has been a rare feel-good pitching story for the White Sox this season, going from a Rule 5 pick to an All Star, and his performance is crucial for the team’s long-term planning. - Q: What is the current status of the White Sox’ rebuilding efforts?
A: The White Sox are in the process of rebuilding, with a focus on developing their young core and avoiding a third consecutive 100-loss season. - Q: Who earned MVP honors in the Carolina League?
A: Sox infield prospect Caleb Bonemer earned MVP honors in the Carolina League. - Q: What are the expectations for the White Sox’ future?
A: The team brass sees progress and is hopeful for a brighter future, with a focus on developing their young talent and becoming a perennial contender.
