Chicago White Sox — Top 50 Prospects 2026

Updated May 1, 2026 · Edition 1

How These Rankings Work

Methodology, grades, and tiers explained
＋

How the rankings work: I use BA, MLB Pipeline, FanGraphs, and other outlets as inputs — but my rank drives the order, not their grades. The outlets inform the evaluation; they don't determine it. When performance at a given level tells a different story than the scouting consensus, I lean toward the performance. When a player's tools project well but the results aren't there yet, I lean toward the tools — but with less conviction the older the player gets. Age relative to level matters significantly. A 20-year-old holding his own at High-A earns more credit than a 24-year-old doing the same thing. Injury context matters too — players on the IL or recovering from surgery are ranked on their healthy ceiling, not their current availability. The My Grade is not a ceiling grade — it reflects my honest projection of what kind of big leaguer a player becomes if development goes reasonably well.

FV grades: The Future Value grades shown are an aggregate drawn from multiple sources — Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, FanGraphs, and others. Where those sources disagree I weigh toward the most recent evaluation. The BA column shows Baseball America's risk-adjusted present grade (not their raw ceiling grade). The My Grade column is my own FV assessment using a modified version of FanGraphs' WAR-to-FV scale. A note on My Grade: these grades reflect what I think a player will actually contribute if he reaches the majors — not a best-case ceiling, but my honest projection of what kind of big leaguer he becomes assuming development goes reasonably well. The probability of him getting there is a separate question that the rank addresses more than the grade does.

Hitter scale: 80 = Top 5 overall (>7.0 WAR) · 70 = Top 10 (5.0–7.0) · 60 = All-Star (3.4–4.9) · 55 = Above-avg reg (2.5–3.3) · 50 = Avg everyday (1.6–2.4) · 45 = Low-end reg/platoon (0.8–1.5) · 40 = Bench (0.0–0.7) · 30 = Up & Down · 20 = Org guy
Pitcher scale: 80 = Ace, top 1-3 arms in baseball · 70 = #1/#2 front-end starter · 60 = #2/#3 starter · 55 = #3/#4 starter · 50 = #4/#5 starter · 45 = 5th starter · 40 = Back-end/spot starter/long relief · 30 = Up & Down · 20 = Org guy

Who qualifies: Standard MLB prospect eligibility rules apply. A player is removed from the list once he exceeds 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched at the MLB level, or has spent 45 days on an active big league roster (excluding IL stints). Sam Antonacci is currently on the list but will be removed once he crosses the 130 AB threshold. Noah Schultz has made his MLB debut and will be removed once he exceeds 50 innings pitched at the big league level.

Navigation: Click any player row to expand the full scouting report, tool grades, 2026 results, and pipeline note. The Grade column (always visible) shows my FV. Scrolling right reveals FG/BA/Pipeline FV grades, an average FV, then outlet ranks and a consensus average rank. Use the button to toggle dark mode.

2026 Callup Tracker

Who's coming and when
＋
In The Bigs
Noah Schultz UP
MLB debut Apr 14, 2026. Already in the rotation — 1.29 ERA, 19 K in 14 Charlotte IP pre-callup. Will graduate once he hits 50 MLB IP.
Sam Antonacci UP
MLB debut Apr 2026. .313/.500 in 14 MLB games. Approaching the 130 AB prospect eligibility threshold.
Drew Romo UP
Promoted Apr 2026 after .298/.385/.561 in 17 Charlotte games. Homered from both sides of the plate in his second MLB game. Plus-plus defender — if the bat holds, he sticks.
Debuted / Back in AAA
Tyler Schweitzer Debuted / AAA
MLB debut Apr 2026, optioned back to Charlotte. 3.78 ERA, 15 K in 16.2 IP since. First arm off the bench when the rotation needs a spot start.
Duncan Davitt Debuted / AAA
MLB debut Apr 10, 2026 — called up, optioned back after rough stretch (7.16 ERA in 16.1 IP). Seven-pitch mix — called on when the Sox need bulk innings.
Imminent
Hagen Smith Imminent
2.33 ERA, 29 K in 19.1 IP at Charlotte. K% 35.4%, Whiff% 40.2%. The stuff is fully back — callup could come any day.
Tanner McDougal Imminent
3.00 ERA, 27 K in 24.0 IP at Charlotte. Could beat Smith to Chicago if the walk rate stabilizes. Getz has publicly said he can be a big league impact arm in 2026.
Mid-Season Target
Braden Montgomery Mid-season
.310/.423/.575 at Double-A Birmingham. wRC+ 158, ISO .264. Targeted for a summer debut if the results hold through June.
William Bergolla Jr. Mid-season
.457/.525/.571 at Charlotte before the IL. Return + sustained production = callup. 5% career K rate is historic.
Jacob Gonzalez Mid-season
.291/.403/.573, 8 HR through 28 Charlotte games. wRC+ 150, xwOBA .434. If it holds through June, the callup conversation becomes real.
David Sandlin Mid-season
0.00 ERA in 4.1 High-A rehab innings — ramping up carefully. 100 mph upside. Charlotte rotation spot is the destination; second-half MLB debut is realistic if healthy.
Post-TJS — Timeline TBD
Ky Bush Post-TJS
On 60-day IL recovering from Tommy John. On the 40-man — bullpen spot possible in second half if healthy. 3.4% barrel rate from his 2024 MLB debut is the key number.
Drew Thorpe Post-TJS
On 60-day IL. Zero 2026 innings, no timetable for return. Already proved his stuff translates — five quality MLB starts before the injuries piled up.
Mason Adams IL — Lat Strain
Zero 2026 innings recovering from a lat strain. Career 3.09 ERA in 233 minor league innings — projects as backend rotation piece once healthy. Midseason return target.
Wildcards
Wikelman González Wildcard
2.57 ERA, 20 K in 14.0 Charlotte relief IP. K% 34.5%, FIP 3.19. Bullpen callup could come before the All-Star break.
Shane Murphy Wildcard
3.99 ERA in 29.1 Double-A innings. Led all of minor league baseball in WHIP in 2025. Not on 40-man — Rule 5 eligible after 2026.
Riley Gowens Wildcard
3.52 ERA, 17 K in 15.1 IP split between Birmingham and Charlotte. Not on 40-man. Local product (Libertyville, IL).
Rikuu Nishida Wildcard
.303/.421, 11 SB through 24 games split between Birmingham and Charlotte. .405 career OBP. Bench callup this summer is realistic and arguably overdue.
Ben Peoples Wildcard
0.59 ERA, 17 K in 15.1 Charlotte IP. FIP 3.47 says the ERA will regress but the stuff is clearly playing at Triple-A. Legitimate bullpen callup candidate.

Risers & Fallers

Running changelog — what moved and why
＋

This is the first published edition — the changelog will track all moves from here.

Watching Closely

Off the list — one hot month from forcing their way in
＋
Fabian Ysalla, RHP  Age 21 · Low-A · IFA — Venezuela
International signing out of Venezuela · Power arm in the lower levels
International signing from Venezuela. Power right-handed arm working through the lower levels of the system. Limited 2026 exposure so far but the stuff has drawn attention. One to watch as the season progresses.
Truman Pauley, RHP  Age 22 · Low-A · Luis Robert Jr. trade — from Mets, 2025
7.45 ERA · 20 K in 19.1 IP · BB% 21.3%
Acquired from the Mets in the Luis Robert Jr. trade. Power right-handed arm — fastball 94-96, slider with sharp late tilt. The K rate (20 K in 19.1 IP) is legitimate but the walk rate (19 BB) is alarming and the ERA (7.45) reflects it. If the command improves this is a different conversation.
James Taussig, OF  Age 23 · Low-A · UDFA 2025 — UT San Antonio
.205/.319/.487 · 1 HR · 47 PA · Low-A
Undrafted free agent out of UT San Antonio in 2025. The power is the profile — .487 SLG at Low-A with legitimate hard contact. At 23 he needs to move quickly. Small sample, watch through May.
Marcelo Alcala, CF  Age 20 · Low-A · IFA — Venezuela
.149/.321/.299 · 2 HR · 4 SB · 84 PA
International signing from Venezuela. The line is cold (.149 BA) but the age and tools are the argument — 20 years old in Low-A with plus CF defense and speed. The hit tool needs time. Watch through June before drawing conclusions.
Marco Barrios, RHP  Age 19 · Low-A · IFA — Venezuela
1.93 ERA · 10 K in 9.1 IP · 9 appearances
International signing from Venezuela — only 19 years old holding his own at Low-A. 1.93 ERA, 10 K in 9.1 IP across 9 appearances. The age relative to the level is the entire argument.
Stiven Flores, C  Age 20 · Low-A · IFA — Venezuela 2022
.379/.438/.414 · K% 12.5% · 64 PA
International signing from Venezuela. 12.5% strikeout rate from a 20-year-old catcher at Low-A is historically rare. The BABIP is elevated and there's zero power so the ceiling is limited without it. But bat-to-ball this elite at this age from a catcher demands attention.
Max Banks, RHP  Age 22 · Low-A · 14th Rd 2025 — Univ. of Washington
2.25 ERA · FIP 3.57 · xFIP 3.23 · K% 28.8% · BB% 5.0% · 20 IP
14th round pick in 2025 out of the University of Washington. The underlying numbers hold up — xFIP 3.23, 28.8% K rate, only 5% BB rate in 20 innings. At 22 in Low-A he needs to prove it at High-A, but the command/stuff combination is worth tracking.
Connor McCullough, RHP  Age 26 · Double-A · UDFA — Kansas State
2.81 ERA · FIP 2.96 · K% 24.6% · BB% 9.2% · 16 IP
Undrafted free agent out of Kansas State. ERA (2.81) and FIP (2.96) are both legitimate at Double-A. xFIP (4.12) suggests some regression but the K rate and command hold up. Age 26 caps the ceiling but as a bullpen arm the profile works.
Jackson Kelley, RHP  Age 26 · Double-A · 12th Rd 2022 — Rangers, Mercer Univ.
1.65 ERA · FIP 3.48 · xFIP 4.24 · BABIP .179 · 16.1 IP
Originally drafted 12th round in 2022 by the Rangers out of Mercer University, later acquired by the Sox. ERA (1.65) is excellent; FIP (3.48) and xFIP (4.24) with a BABIP of .179 say regression is coming. There's a real bullpen profile here if the stuff plays in shorter stints.
Abraham Nunez, OF  Age 20 · Low-A · IFA — Dominican Republic
.288/.350/.397 · wRC+ 123 · K% 21.3% · BB% 8.8% · 80 PA
International signing from the Dominican Republic. Solid across the board at Low-A through 80 PA — wRC+ 123, good athlete with speed (3 SB). Not yet forcing a top-50 ranking but worth tracking through midseason.
Alec Makarewicz, 1B/3B  Age 25 · A+/AA · UDFA 2024 — NC State
.258/.323/.506 · wRC+ 127 · 5 HR · ISO .247 · 99 PA
2024 undrafted free agent out of NC State. The power is showing up — 5 HR across High-A and Double-A with a reasonable BABIP. wRC+ 127, ISO .247. Age (25) and position (1B/3B corner) cap the ceiling. If the production holds at Double-A he forces the rankings conversation.
Jackson Nove, LHP  Age 23 · Low-A · UDFA 2025 — Univ. of Kentucky
2.51 ERA · 27 K in 14.1 IP · K% 41.5% · BB% 12.3%
2025 UDFA out of the University of Kentucky. The K rate is genuinely elite — 41.5% at Low-A, 27 K in 14.1 IP. Walk rate (12.3%) is the concern. Prove it at High-A and he's a top-50 conversation.
Rylan Galvan, C  Age 22 · Low-A · 13th Rd 2025 — Univ. of Texas
.244/.436/.610 · 5 HR · BB% 21.8% · 1.046 OPS · 55 PA
13th round pick in 2025 out of the University of Texas. Power/patience combination from behind the plate — 5 HR and 21.8% walk rate in 55 PA at Low-A. The profile is legitimately interesting for a catcher at any age. At 22 in Low-A he needs to move levels quickly, but these numbers are hard to ignore. A rankings spot isn't out of the question if he sustains this at High-A.
Kaleb Freeman, C/1B  Age 23 · A+/A · 16th Rd 2025 — Georgia State
.222/.517/.500 · 1 HR · 8 BB · 29 PA
16th round pick in 2025 out of Georgia State. The .517 OBP comes from 8 walks in 29 PA — too small a sample to draw conclusions but the plate discipline is notable. Strictly a name to watch as the sample grows.
Ryan Galanie, 1B/OF  Age 25 · AA/AAA · 13th Rd 2022 — Wofford College
.228/.326/.468 · 5 HR · 13 RBI · 92 PA
13th round pick in 2022 out of Wofford College. Led the entire CWS system in RBIs in 2025 and is quietly doing it again — 5 HR and 13 RBI through 92 PA across Birmingham and Charlotte. At 25 he's not a traditional prospect but a bat that keeps producing across levels has real value. Fringe 40-man candidate if the second half holds.
Alejandro Cruz, 3B/2B  Age 19 · DSL/ACL · Cuba 2024, $2M
No 2026 stats yet · Complex/DSL assignment expected
Fell off the rankings — no 2026 stats yet. The $2M Cuba signing and elite athleticism haven't changed. Plus speed, bat-to-ball skills, CF defensive potential. 4 HR and 18 SB in his debut. When he gets on the field this summer he'll be back in the conversation.
Frankeli Arias, LHP  Age 23 · A+ · IFA — Dominican Republic
9.95 ERA · 6 K in 6.1 IP · 2026 High-A
International signing from the Dominican Republic. Fell off the rankings due to a disappointing 2026 start — walk rate has spiked and the results have cratered. The stuff is still there; the command isn't. One good stretch and he's back on the list.
Justin Sinibaldi, LHP  Age 24 · A+ · 14th Rd 2024 — Rutgers
8.57 ERA · 20 K in 21.0 IP · 2026 High-A
14th round pick in 2024 out of Rutgers. Fell off the rankings due to a rough 2026 debut — 5 HR allowed in 21 innings, walk rate hasn't improved. The K rate (8.6/9) shows the stuff hasn't disappeared. A turnaround is possible.
Christian Gonzalez, OF  Age 19 · Pre-debut · IFA — Venezuela, $2M
No 2026 stats yet · DSL assignment expected
International signing from Venezuela — $2M bonus. Fell off the rankings with no 2026 stats yet. The tool set and investment haven't changed. Watch for his DSL debut this summer.

Click a player's name to expand their full scouting report