White Sox Minor League Update: Why the 2026 Rankings Actually Look Different

Honestly, if you've been following this system for the last three years, you're probably used to the "wait until next year" mantra. It’s the South Side's unofficial slogan. But this White Sox minor league update for early 2026 feels a bit more urgent because the calendar is finally catching up to the hype. We aren't just talking about distant potential anymore. We're talking about guys who need to produce now or risk being labeled as "what-ifs."

The big news just dropped this week with the international signing period opening. Chris Getz and his staff went heavy on Venezuelan talent, landing catcher Fernando Graterol for $1.6 million and outfielder Sebastian Romero for $1.5 million. Graterol is the name to watch. He’s a rare teenage backstop with actual raw power, coming from the same hometown as Salvador Perez. If you’re looking for a long-term anchor behind the plate, he's the guy, but he's years away from 35th and Shields.

The Pitching Pivot: Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith

The left-handed duo of Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith is basically the entire foundation of the rebuild right now. There’s no way around it. If these two don't hit, the ceiling for this franchise drops significantly.

Noah Schultz remains the unicorn. Standing 6-foot-10 with a low three-quarters slot, he’s still drawing those Randy Johnson comparisons that scouts can't help but make. But 2025 wasn't kind to him. He was shut down in August with patellar tendinitis after only 73 innings. His velocity dipped. His control got shaky. Heading into 2026, the White Sox are taking the kid gloves off, or at least they’re trying to. They want him to build a real workload, but the medical staff is watching his biomechanical data like hawks to make sure that knee holds up.

Then there's Hagen Smith. He spent the end of 2025 learning on the fly in the Arizona Fall League. He’s got that "delete" button of a slider, but the walk rate has been a headache. The organization thinks they’ve found a mechanical hiccup in his delivery that caused him to spray the ball. If he comes into camp in Glendale next month with that cleaned up, he’s a fast-track candidate for the rotation.

Surprising Names and Roster Shuffles

While the headlines go to the first-rounders, the 40-man roster moves tell you who the front office actually trusts. Recently, the Sox protected Tanner McDougal and Duncan Davitt from the Rule 5 draft.

• Tanner McDougal: This kid is a 5th-round success story. He had a massive breakout in 2025 after some early-career struggles. He’s got some of the best raw stuff in the system—specifically a curveball that creates ridiculous spin rates.
• Duncan Davitt: Acquired in the Adrian Houser trade with Tampa, Davitt is a "pitchability" guy. He isn't going to blow 100 mph past anyone, but he struck out 150 batters in 152 innings last year across Double-A and Triple-A. He’s high-floor, low-ceiling, but he’ll likely eat innings in Chicago this summer.

One name that's quietly climbing every scout's list is Sam Antonacci. He was a 5th-round pick in '24 and has done nothing but hit. He posted an OPS over .800 at every stop and looked like a seasoned vet in the Fall League. He doesn't have the "George Wolkow power," but he has elite on-base skills. With the way the big league roster is currently constructed, don't be shocked if Antonacci pushes for a utility spot by June.

Why the Outfield is the Wild Card

The White Sox minor league update wouldn't be complete without checking in on the Montgomerys—who, for the record, still aren't related. Braden Montgomery is currently the top-ranked prospect in the system on some lists (like MLB Pipeline), and he's coming off a weird year. He broke his leg in the College World Series, then broke his foot later in the fall.

When he's on the field, he’s a monster. Switch-hitting power, cannon for an arm, and he can actually play center field. The Sox got him from Boston in the Garrett Crochet trade, and so far, it looks like a heist. He'll likely start at Double-A Birmingham, but if he hits like he did in the SEC, he won't stay there long.

The team also took a flyer on Jarred Kelenic on a minor league deal. It's a classic "post-hype sleeper" move. Kelenic has been working on a swing adjustment this winter to stop getting "stuck" on his back leg. If the Sox coaching staff can unlock even 80% of what made him a top-5 prospect years ago, they’ve found a massive piece for free.

The New Ranking Reality

If you look at the 2026 rankings from Baseball America or FanGraphs, things have shifted. Caleb Bonemer and Billy Carlson are the high-upside shortstops currently sitting in the top five.

Bonemer, in particular, has seen some buzz as a potential move to the outfield because Colson Montgomery is finally settled in at the big league level. The Sox are prioritizing "athletes" now over "specialists." That’s why you see guys like George Wolkow—who is essentially a mountain that plays baseball—getting so much attention. He’s still young and strikes out a ton, but the 30-homer potential is very real.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Dynasty Owners

Stop waiting for the "big wave" to arrive all at once. It’s happening in trickles. If you're looking to track progress this spring, here is what actually matters:

💡 You might also like: United States women's hockey: Why the Gold Standard is Harder to Keep Than You Think

• Watch the velocity for Noah Schultz: If he's sitting 96-98 mph in his first few Cactus League outings, the knee is fine. If he’s 91-93, start worrying.
• The "Antonacci" Rule: Keep an eye on his walk-to-strikeout ratio in Triple-A Charlotte. If it stays near 1:1, he’s going to be the Sox starting second baseman sooner than you think.
• The Bullpen Pipeline: The team is moving away from expensive free-agent relievers. Watch guys like Jairo Iriarte and Grant Taylor. Both have elite stuff but moved to the pen because of control issues. One of them will likely be the Sox closer by 2027.

The 2026 season is basically a laboratory for this farm system. The Birmingham Barons won back-to-back Southern League titles for a reason—the talent is there. Now we just need to see if it survives the jump to the majors.

Check the box scores for Charlotte and Birmingham specifically. Those are the two levels where the "future" is currently living. Keep an eye on the health of the pitching staff, because as we've seen, that's the one thing that can derail this whole rebuild in a weekend.