Chicago White Sox

The White Sox had an incredible season — going from last to first in the American League Central. Is it sustainable? Time will tell, but their all‑or‑nothing offense will likely be an issue moving forward. They need players who can make contact and get on base to complement all the sluggers. They should have that in Roch Cholowsky, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. He shouldn’t be far away and brings an excellent blend of bat‑to‑ball skills and power that should make him a mainstay in the lineup. Billy Carlson, their first‑round pick in 2025, is another player with a quality hit tool and strong defense, though he’s a bit further off.

From a pitching standpoint, the system has some exciting arms, but likely more bullpen pieces than true top‑of‑the‑rotation starters. Hagen Smith looked great down the stretch in a relief role, and both Tanner McDougal and David Sandlin may ultimately fit best in the bullpen as well.

I expect the White Sox to take a small step back in 2027, but the ship is finally pointed in the right direction.

Prospect Snapshot

Top Prospect: Roch Cholowsky
Biggest Mover: Kyle Lodise
Biggest Disappointment: William Bergola Jr.
Emerging Prospect: Sebastian Romero

1. Roch Cholowsky (SS, #1)

Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Polished college shortstop with elite floor and dependable fantasy‑friendly tools.

Roch Cholowsky has sat near the top of 2026 draft board for most teams since last summer. He was a three‑year starter at UCLA, hitting 20 home runs in back‑to‑back seasons and posting a .320/.452/.636 line over 60 games this year. He also walked as often as he struck out. After signing, the White Sox assigned him to High-A, where he hit just .195. After nine games, he was shut down with wrist tendinitis.

The approach is excellent — he rarely chases and posts above‑average hard‑hit rates. There isn’t much natural loft in the swing yet, but that should change in pro ball, giving him a realistic path to 20‑homer power. He’s a good athlete and a plus defender at shortstop, though he’s never been a base‑stealing threat, swiping just 14 bags across three college seasons.

Cholowsky has one of the safest floors of any college player in recent memory. I thought Nick Kurtz would hit and hit for power, but there were defensive questions. Cholowsky is already a plus defender, and once he settles in, he could reach the majors as early as 2027. For fantasy managers looking for a safe No. 1 pick in FYPDs, he’s an easy choice.

2. Caleb Bonemer (SS)

Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 3B/1B
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Huge power upside with contact concerns and corner‑infield defensive fit.

Caleb Bonemer, the White Sox’s second‑round pick in 2024, delivered an impressive 2026 campaign, splitting his time between High‑A and Double‑A. He posted a .251/.380/.550 line with 37 home runs.

His carrying tool is unmistakably the power: he already posts top‑end exit velocities in the 109–110 mph range, and as he continues to fill out, those numbers should only climb. He’s stealing bases for now (17-of-22), but that’s unlikely to remain a meaningful part of his game as his body matures and the frame thickens.

There’s also plenty of swing‑and‑miss. If the hit tool never fully develops, Bonemer could settle into a three‑true‑outcome profile—30‑plus home run power, a batting average that drags, and an OBP that sits at least 100 points higher. Drafted as a shortstop, he’s already shifting more toward third base, where the defense should be good enough to stick long‑term. If not, the bat is strong enough to support a move to first.

Fantasy managers should view Bonemer as an elite power‑hitting prospect with a realistic path to 30‑plus home runs annually. If he hits enough, there’s legitimate All‑Star upside. If the hit tool stalls, he should still provide home runs and RBIs in volume.

3. Billy Carlson (SS)

Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028-29 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder with upside
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Elite defender with developing bat; strength gains could unlock meaningful fantasy upside.

Billy Carlson, the tenth overall pick in the 2025 draft by the White Sox, has had a mixed introduction to professional baseball. The good news: the heavily touted defense has absolutely shown up. His actions are clean, the range is real, and the arm is every bit as explosive as advertised — reports of him touching the upper‑90s off the mound don’t seem exaggerated.

Offensively, the transition has been bumpier. His approach is solid — he walked 15% of the time with a reasonable 22% strikeout rate — but the power hasn’t surfaced. He posted a .335 SLG with no home runs and beat a lot of balls into the ground. The simple truth is he needs to get stronger; his exit velocities are well below average. Granted, he did miss considerable time — first with a thumb fracture in late May and then a skin infection that ended his season in early August. In all, he played only 60 games.

The scouting report is still ahead of the stat line, but there’s enough here for fantasy managers to remain optimistic. The athleticism and bat speed point to at least average power (10–15 home runs), and early in his career he should contribute stolen bases. The key question is whether he’ll hit enough for the whole package to work. I think he will — something around .260 feels attainable. His glove will keep him in the lineup, much like Masyn Winn, and ideally the bat develops into more than what Winn has shown this season.

4. Tanner McDougal (RHP)

Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP or Closer
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Triple‑digit fastball arm with starter traits but real bullpen appeal.

Tanner McDougal had a wild run in 2026. He opened the year in the Triple‑A Charlotte rotation and pitched well, posting a 3.13 ERA with a strikeout per inning — though he also walked nearly five per nine, an uncharacteristic spike even for someone without pinpoint control. After five starts, he landed on the IL with forearm tightness and didn’t return until July 1. Following the White Sox’s strong start to the season, they shifted him to the bullpen to prepare him for potential late‑season help. It’s worth noting they also limited his innings down the stretch in 2025. He only made one appearance in August, giving up a run in a third of an inning while walking three.

McDougal is a power arm. His fastball averages 98 mph (touching 100) with 16 inches of IVB and high spin, making it a nasty, whiff‑heavy pitch. His slider is his best offering, featuring sharp, boring action on glove‑side hitters. He also throws a changeup, but not often, and it’s merely average — thrown very hard at 92 mph with limited velocity separation. The platoon splits are modest, but there’s some concern they’ll widen at the next level.

He has a starter’s body, and if the changeup improves, he could remain in the rotation. But I thought the same about Grant Taylor, and two years later he’s still in the bullpen – pitching the sixth inning! If McDougal does move to relief full‑time, there’s clear closer upside.

5. Hagen Smith (LHP)

Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Closer or Top 40 SP
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Elite stuff derailed by wildness; ace or closer depending on command.

Hagen Smith was the White Sox’s first‑round pick in 2024 (No. 5 overall). Expectations were sky‑high — he was supposed to fly through the minors and potentially reach the Majors as early as 2025. That didn’t happen for one basic reason: he couldn’t throw strikes. Across his 2+ years in the minors, he’s walked nearly six per nine.

The stuff itself is outstanding. His fastball is elite, averaging 95.5 mph (touching 98) with big spin and 16 inches of IVB. Coming from a lower three‑quarters slot, he creates deception that makes the pitch extremely hard to pick up. He pairs it with a plus slider and a solid changeup. He’s never had trouble missing bats — he’s averaged more than 13 strikeouts per nine.

The White Sox managed his innings closely in 2026 and moved him to the bullpen in July, partly to control workload and partly to position him to help the overachieving MLB club. He did just that, pitching meaningful innings down the stretch. In all, he pitched 28 innings in relief, giving up only four earned run, striking out 41, but walking 16.

It would be a shame if Smith winds up a full‑time reliever. Moving a pitcher with his stuff — and taken fifth overall just two years ago — permanently to the bullpen almost never happens. But if he can’t throw strikes and the White Sox can’t help him get there, it may be the eventual solution.

For fantasy managers, you simply have to see how this unfolds. If he moves to the bullpen, there’s clear closer upside, Tanner Scott‑style. If he stays in the rotation and finds even average control, he could be a Top 40 starter.

6. Kyle Lodise (SS)

Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Steady tools project a useful MI, not the 20-40 production he showed this season.

Kyle Lodise, the White Sox’s third‑round pick in the 2025 Draft, doesn’t have a standout carrying tool. Instead, his profile is built on a collection of 40s and 50s across the board. Despite the modest tool set, he produced an impressive power‑speed line in 2026, hitting 20 home runs and stealing 42 bases — though the underlying data suggests that level of production may not be entirely sustainable.

He doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard — his average exit velocity sits around 87.5 mph — but he’s adopted a steep uphill swing path to generate loft. Most of his home‑run power surfaced after the All‑Star break, when he hit 11 in just 39 games.

He’s a tick above average as a runner and should be capable of 15‑plus steals annually, but the 42‑steal outburst in 2026 is likely an outlier. At the plate, he’s become extremely passive. The walk rate is high, but the 27% strikeout rate is problematic for a hitter without plus power. When you’re not driving the ball consistently, giving away that many at‑bats becomes a real limitation.

Double‑A is going to be the big tell for Lodise. I don’t see a 20‑40 type of player or even a 20‑20 player. Instead, he projects as a solid defender with enough power, speed, and on‑base ability to be a useful middle infielder on a fantasy roster.

7. Cole Prosek (2B, #41)

Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2030 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Impact‑power second baseman with contact risk but real 30‑homer upside.

Cole Prosek was the White Sox’s second‑round pick in the 2026 Draft (No. 41 overall), signing for $800,000 over slot — essentially back‑of‑the‑first‑round money.

He impressed evaluators at the MLB Combine, maxing out at 105 mph in exit velocity with a 92 mph average. He’s still projectable and should add more power as he fills out his 6‑foot‑1 frame. Prosek shows a feel for the strike zone, but his swing can get long given how hard he swings, so strikeouts could be a concern. He’s an average runner, meaning stolen bases aren’t likely to be a meaningful part of his profile.

If it all comes together, the ceiling is a power‑hitting second baseman with a solid batting average. The lack of speed limits his fantasy appeal, but if he can reach 30‑homer territory, that should more than compensate.

8. Jaden Fauske (OF)

Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Plus runner with discipline; power unlock determines future fantasy value.

Jaden Fauske was the White Sox’s second‑round pick in 2025 (No. 44 overall), signing for $750,000 over slot. The organization sent him to Low‑A Kannapolis, where he held his own and posted a .250/.380/.360 slash line in 118 games.

He’s athletic, a plus runner, and stole 46 bases in 56 attempts. He also hits the ball hard — especially impressive given he played the entire season at 19 — but managed only four home runs. The culprit was a 56% ground‑ball rate. Once he starts to elevate, the power should arrive. It’s likely to be average power in the range of 15 to 20 annually. The most encouraging part of his profile was his strike‑zone control: he didn’t expand the zone and walked nearly 17% of the time. That walk rate will likely dip as he climbs the ladder, but the hope is that his league‑average contact rate holds.

From a fantasy standpoint, Fauske profiles as a solid No. 3/4 outfielder with an outside chance at an early‑career 20‑20 season. As he fills out, the power should increase while the speed gradually fades. He’s a good prospect — and likely a bit undervalued in dynasty leagues.

9. David Sandlin (RHP)

Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: High-Leveraged Reliever or Closer
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Power arm with big splits likely headed for high‑leverage relief.

David Sandlin made an immediate impression when he won his MLB debut in May, touching 99 mph with his fastball. But baseball is humbling — five days later, facing the same team, he gave up eight earned runs and didn’t make it out of the fifth inning.

Sandlin has made major improvements since being drafted by the Red Sox in 2022. He’s throwing harder, and his curveball has taken a step forward. However, his control remains below average, and his changeup is not a reliable pitch. Left‑handed hitters crushed him in the Majors, posting a .495 SLG. The splits were less severe in Triple‑A, but still present.

Pitchers who can’t consistently throw strikes and lack a weapon to neutralize glove‑side hitters often wind up in the bullpen. That’s likely where Sandlin ultimately lands — and once he does, there’s legitimate high‑leverage or even closer upside.

10. Landon Thome (SS, #34)

Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2030 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 20 1B if he hits enough
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Power‑first bat needing approach refinement, likely shifting to corner role.

Landon Thome, son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome, was drafted by the White Sox with the 34th overall pick in 2026. He signed for $400,000 under slot and is viewed as a power‑first hitter who will need to make enough contact to fully access that power.

Fantasy managers will see the name and draft position and be tempted to jump in, but Thome may be more of a project than people realize. He currently sells out for power with a pull‑heavy, high‑leverage swing, and he’ll need to find more balance in his approach to hit enough. He’s also likely to outgrow shortstop — just as his father did, who was drafted as a shortstop but ultimately made his mark at first base. A similar defensive path is very possible.

11. Joey Volchko (RHP, #77)

Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP or Closer
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Big stuff and sweeper standout, but command threatens starter future.

Joey Volchko was drafted in the third round of the 2026 Draft after a solid season at the University of Georgia, where he posted a 3.68 ERA across 18 starts. Evaluators have long raved about his stuff: a fastball averaging 95–96 mph (touching 98) with high spin and strong IVB, plus a sweeper that generates big whiff rates. His changeup lags behind the other two pitches but will flash enough to matter. The issue is control — he’s never posted a walk rate below 4.0 BB/9, and repeating his delivery remains a challenge.

Volchko is an intriguing arm thanks to his velocity and plus sweeper. If he never learns to repeat his delivery consistently, he could shift to the bullpen, where his ceiling might be a closer. However, the White Sox — and several other clubs — believe there’s enough here to start, and he’ll be developed as such. I’ve set his ceiling as a Top‑50 starting pitcher, with a high‑leverage relief role as the fallback.

12. Colby Shelton (2B/3B)

Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Strong bat growth with 15–20 homer upside despite defensive limits.

Colby Shelton was a draft‑eligible sophomore in 2024, selected by the Nationals in the final round, but he chose to return to Florida for his junior year—and it paid off. He shortened the swing, stopped selling out for moonshots, and became a far more complete hitter. The White Sox took notice, signing him in the sixth round for $447,000. It’s a strong developmental arc and one that immediately makes him interesting.

Shelton had a solid 2026 campaign, showing power, a more disciplined approach, and even a touch of speed. I don’t expect speed to be a meaningful part of his long‑term profile, but he’s a strong kid with the ingredients for above‑average future power in the 15–20 homer range. The defensive limitations are real—he’s likely a second baseman long‑term—which puts added pressure on the bat.

For fantasy managers, Shelton is a name worth monitoring. He doesn’t offer much defensive flexibility, but if he keeps making quality contact, he’ll give himself a real chance to climb.

13. Sebastian Romero (OF)

Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2030 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with extreme risk
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Loud tools and real power upside, but hit tool remains volatile.

Sebastian Romero signed for a $1.5 million bonus with the White Sox in January and posted a .277/.391/.538 line in the DSL with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases. He produced plenty of loud contact, but also significant swing‑and‑miss — striking out nearly 30% of the time. That level of swing‑and‑miss in the DSL is concerning and may warrant repeating the level in 2027.

He’s athletic with plenty of bat speed, giving him future power projection, though he’ll need to get stronger before home runs become a consistent part of his profile. He’s also an above‑average runner with enough speed to matter on the bases. The big question is whether he’ll hit enough, but early returns are encouraging — he appears to have a plan at the plate and some emerging strike‑zone awareness.

For fantasy managers, Romero is a high‑risk, high‑reward prospect. If he hits enough, he could grow into a power‑hitting outfielder. If not, he may stall out in Double‑A. That’s the nature of 17‑year‑olds in the DSL — enormous upside paired with equally enormous volatility.

14. Pierce George (RHP)

Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Closer
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Triple‑digit heater and hammer curve give clear future‑closer upside.

Pierce George is a straight reliever, able to let his big fastball rip and overwhelm hitters. He routinely hits triple digits while averaging 98 mph with his four‑seamer. It lives at the top of the zone, which helps his 81–83 mph curveball dive hard to the bottom of the zone. If he could only throw consistent strikes, the ceiling is easily that of a late‑inning weapon. He’s extremely athletic, so there’s hope he’ll eventually repeat his delivery well enough to reach average control — and based on the look, that feels like a reasonable assumption.

For fantasy managers, George looks like a prototypical future closer. He throws hard, has a true out pitch in the curveball, and is athletic enough to make the whole package work.

15. William Bergola Jr. (SS)

Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Elite contact and speed, but extremely narrow, low‑impact offensive profile.

It was a lost season for William Bergola. After just 10 games, he injured his shin and missed three months, then returned for one game before breaking his leg. Hopefully he comes back healthy next season.

As a reminder, Bergola is a 70‑grade runner who makes absurd levels of contact. In 125 games in 2025, he struck out only 26 times — roughly once a week. He rarely walks, as his approach is built around slapping the ball on the ground and letting his speed work. There is no power, as he has one home run in his four‑year minor‑league career. He’s a good defender who can play anywhere in the infield and could even handle center field.

It’s a very narrow profile, but the speed is real, and he will hit. If you squint, you can see a Xavier Edwards‑type outcome. But Edwards was far more interesting when he was stealing 30 bases — less so now that the speed is fading. The same thing could happen to Bergola.

16. George Wolkow (OF)

Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF with contact risk
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Huge power but extreme length makes contact issues likely permanent.

I’ve seen George Wolkow play live several times, and he’s quite a sight. At 6‑foot‑7 with long strides, it feels like he takes four steps to get from home to first, and with his wingspan, the bat looks like a toothpick.

While he’s undeniably fun to watch, his length creates real challenges when projecting him as a legitimate Major League hitter. He struck out 32% of the time in 557 High‑A plate appearances in 2026, and once he starts facing better spin, that number could climb even higher. There’s plenty of raw power, and his leveraged swing points to substantial future home run output, but I’d be shocked if he ever hits over .220.

The path to success is extremely narrow for Wolkow. He’ll hit home runs, but the strikeouts will always mute the upside. That said, the White Sox aren’t afraid of one‑dimensional sluggers — they’ve built a contending roster with that exact profile.

17. Dylan Campbell (OF)

Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60/70 OF
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Contact‑oriented bat with current speed but limited power and defensive fit.

Dylan Campbell was acquired by the White Sox in June in a deal with the Phillies for Derek Hill. While he hit only .237 in Double‑A, he did improve his performance against right‑handed pitching — a notable step forward given how much he’d struggled there previously.

It’s not the most projectable body — 5‑foot‑8 and a generous 205 pounds — but he still moves well, stealing 37 bases in 46 attempts. The concern is that he’s already moved off center field and may not produce enough power to profile in a corner. He makes solid contact with a decent approach, suggesting a future batting average around .260.

The stat line looks better than the underlying data, and he’ll likely settle into a part‑time role at the highest level. There’s even a chance he ultimately fits better overseas, where the offensive bar is lower.

18. Javier Mogollon (3B/2B)

Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Speedy utility profile dependent on swing tweaks and improved contact.

Javier Mogollon split his 2026 season between Low‑ and High‑A, posting a solid .262/.368/.448 slash line. He unlocked more power by adding leverage to his swing, but the tradeoff was a spike in strikeouts. In 2025, he struck out 25% of the time — not ideal, but acceptable for a teenage Low‑A hitter. After the swing change, his strikeout rate jumped to 30%, and the trend continued following his promotion to High‑A.

At 5‑foot‑8, Mogollon isn’t a physical player, so the White Sox would be wise to steer him toward more contact to let his speed play. His sprint times point to at least a 65‑grade runner. Without adjustments to his swing, Double‑A could prove extremely challenging.

If Mogollon can clean up his swing mechanics, there’s a path to a 10‑home‑run, 20‑steal utility‑type Major League profile. He works his walks, so if he can hit .250–.260 with a .330 OBP, the profile should work for both the White Sox and fantasy managers.

19. Eric Segura (RHP, #105)

Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 SP
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Weak‑contact sinker specialist with No. 4 starter upside if changeup develops.

Eric Segura was the White Sox’s fourth‑round pick in 2026 after a three‑year career at Oregon State. He’s primarily a sinker–slider pitcher, working from a lower three‑quarters delivery. He doesn’t throw his changeup often, but the arm slot is ideal for developing at least an average offering — likely one of the first things the White Sox will target. His sinker tops out at 96 mph but more commonly sits 93–94, and when it’s sinking, it’s tough for hitters to elevate.

If it all comes together, Segura could develop into a high‑3, low‑4 ERA No. 4 starter. Because he pitches for weak contact, he’ll likely settle in below a strikeout per inning. For fantasy purposes, I’ve set his ceiling as a Top 60 starting pitcher.

20. Ronald Cardozo (C)

Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2030+ Fantasy Ceiling: Too soon to say
Last Updated: 10/27/2026
Tools Summary: Promising young catcher with bat speed and early power indicators.

Ronald Cardozo signed for $375,000 in January with the White Sox and delivered one of the best DSL seasons in the class. He posted a .342/.433/.581 slash line with seven home runs and showed excellent strike‑zone judgment, walking 14% of the time while striking out only 19%.

He’s already an advanced defensive catcher, though he threw out just 21% of attempted base stealers — a number that should improve as he works with pitchers who control the running game more effectively. Offensively, his carrying tool is likely his power, driven by excellent bat speed.

Rostering a 17‑year‑old catcher in dynasty formats is rarely advisable, and Cardozo doesn’t have the floor to justify an exception. Still, he’s a name to monitor, as the offensive upside is intriguing.