The Chicago White Sox are poised for a potential turnaround in 2026, and it’s not just about the big-name signings! After enduring three consecutive seasons with over 100 losses, the team is making significant moves, not only through acquiring established talent like Japanese phenom Munetaka Murakami and veteran pitchers Anthony Kay and Seranthony Domínguez, but also by nurturing their own promising young players. While the additions of Austin Hays and Luisangel Acuña via trade also signal a new direction, the real excitement for many fans lies within the farm system. We saw glimpses of the future in 2025 with contributions from Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Kyle Teel, but the pipeline is far from empty. Get ready, because several more top prospects are on the cusp of making a real impact in 2026!
LHP Noah Schultz — Just Baseball No. 58
Standing at an imposing six-foot-ten, the White Sox's top prospect, left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz, is a truly dominant force on the mound. At just 22 years old, this southpaw unleashes a five-pitch arsenal, featuring a powerful sinker and slider as his primary weapons, complemented by a curveball, changeup, and a four-seamer. He even dabbled with a cutter, throwing it 1.3% of the time in Triple-A last season.
Since being drafted in 2022, Schultz has largely been lights out in the minor leagues. However, 2025 presented a significant challenge. Across Double-A and Triple-A, he posted a 4.68 ERA with a 4.30 FIP. These numbers are somewhat skewed by a rough 16.1-inning stint in Triple-A, which was likely exacerbated by injury. He was sidelined in July due to right patellar tendinitis and only managed five innings in September upon his return. Despite these setbacks, team reports indicate he's been progressing well this offseason.
But here's where it gets interesting: While Schultz struck out 23.2% of opposing hitters in 2025, his command wavered, leading to a 13.8% walk rate. This resulted in a below-average 9.5% K-BB%, a significant jump from his previous career high of 6.9%. The good news? Schultz himself believes the knee issue plagued him throughout the entire season. If his recovery is indeed as strong as the White Sox suggest, there's every reason to believe he can recapture his pre-2025 form.
It’s probable he'll start the season in the minors to fine-tune his game, but a call-up by June is certainly within reach. We can almost certainly expect Noah Schultz to see MLB playing time in 2026.
OF Braden Montgomery — Just Baseball No. 73
Braden Montgomery, acquired in a significant trade last offseason, lived up to the hype in 2025. This switch-hitting outfielder, still only 22 years old, made it all the way to Double-A by the end of his first professional season.
Over 121 minor-league games, Montgomery showcased his talent with a .270/.360/.444 slash line, including 12 home runs. His performance remained remarkably consistent, with his wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) staying above 133 at every minor-league level he played in 2025. This indicates he was a significantly above-average hitter throughout.
And this is the part most people miss: A key factor in his sustained production was a noticeable increase in his line drive rates as the year progressed. This trend was evident at each level: Low-A (13.2%), High-A (21.1%), and Double-A (32.1%).
However, his strikeout rate in Double-A does present a slight area for concern. He struck out approximately 28.7% of the time, with a particular struggle against left-handed pitching. In 37 plate appearances against southpaws, he struck out a staggering 40.5%, compared to 24.3% in 107 plate appearances against righties. While this is a small sample size and might not mean much, Montgomery's development as a switch hitter will be crucial to monitor.
Since Montgomery isn't currently on the 40-man roster, an Opening Day call-up is unlikely. However, if his 2025 performance is any indication, an early-May or June call-up would not be surprising at all.
RHP Tanner McDougal
After his fourth professional season, Tanner McDougal is emerging as one of the biggest risers in the White Sox's farm system. This 22-year-old right-hander experienced tremendous success in 2025 and appears to be on the verge of a major-league promotion this season.
Having faced challenges in his earlier minor-league years, McDougal took a massive leap forward in 2025. Splitting time between High-A and Double-A, the White Sox's No. 5 prospect posted an impressive 3.26 ERA and 3.15 FIP over 113.1 innings. He also boasted a 3.20 xFIP (Expected Fielding Independent Pitching) and a strong 28.3% strikeout rate.
What makes McDougal particularly intriguing? Not only does he strike out hitters at a high rate, but his walk rate remains acceptable given his strikeout profile. He walked approximately 10.2% of opposing hitters last season. Furthermore, he excels at inducing ground balls, forcing them 45.3% of the time in 2025, which is consistent with his career trends.
Is this success sustainable? With a strong spring training, McDougal has a real shot at cracking the Opening Day roster. Scouts rate his fastball and slider as 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale, with an average curveball (50) and a below-average changeup (30). All signs point to his 2025 performance being legitimate, and he appears MLB-ready.
One thing is for certain: whenever McDougal gets the call, he's expected to provide much-needed support to the White Sox's rotation.
What do you think? Are these prospects enough to turn the White Sox’s fortunes around? Or is the team still too far away from contention? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
