I haven’t thought about the White Sox in a while, and I honestly haven’t cared much to. Like a lot of fans, I checked out around the All-Star break last season. After that, it was mostly just peeking at the box scores to see if Garrett Crochet pitched well or tracking how close we were to that dreaded “record.”
The offseason hasn’t exactly been different. Most of my attention’s been on Chicago’s other abysmal teams, mixed with the usual seasonal depression. But then… something happened. A trade! The Sox shipped Garrett Crochet to Boston. Seeing yet another 6’6” lefty switch socks from white to red gave me that familiar “Ah, sh*t, here we go again” feeling.
At first, I shrugged it off. But a couple of days later, I started to feel something else. Something unexpected. I saw a graphic: the White Sox now have six top-100 prospects. Then someone threw together one of those “2027 White Sox lineup” projections, and suddenly, it hit me: hope. The kind of hope only a rebuild can bring. That weird optimism that comes with knowing your team won’t be good for a while, but there’s something stress-free and fun about just watching young players develop.
So I thought, why not lean into it? Why not get excited to see how this plays out? Being miserable feels like way more work. With that in mind, here’s my list of five hitters I’m genuinely looking forward to watching in the 2025 White Sox season.
Mike Tauchman
Mike Tauchman was probably the White Sox’s biggest free-agent signing this offseason, which isn’t saying much. He’s not the kind of player who makes headlines. He’s not a power hitter, a speed threat, or a Gold Glove-caliber defender. But what he does bring is something this team desperately needs: the ability to get on base.
In 2024, Tauchman posted a 13.4% walk rate, ranking in the 98th percentile, and paired it with a disciplined 22.7% chase rate, putting him in the 88th percentile. He worked counts, makes pitchers battle, and gave the Cubs a lot of quality at-bats last season. I think this is the perfect archetype of the leadoff hitter for a rebuilding team like the White Sox. A guy to set the table a bit before Luis Robert.
On top of that, he is a high-energy dude who happens to be a Chicago suburbanite. While he may not be a game-changer, Tauchman’s approach at the plate should bring some much-needed stability to the White Sox lineup in 2025.
Chase Medrioth
Chase Meidroth, acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade, was ranked as Boston’s 11th-best prospect, but he has the potential to make an impact on this White Sox team. He has only one season of Triple-A experience, but he made the most of it, logging 558 plate appearances across 122 games.
Defensively, Meidroth offers versatility, having played shortstop, second base, and third. While he spent most of his time at short, he also logged 137 error-free innings at second base, making him a viable option there at the major league level. He has an easier path than most with his primary competition being Josh Rojas and Brooks Baldwin.
Offensively, much like Mike Tauchman, Meidroth’s strength is his ability to get on base. He slashed .293/.437/.401 in Triple-A with seven home runs, showing strong plate discipline and a patient approach.
He’s certainly a player to watch in Spring Training, as he’s not a lock to make the Opening Day roster. I believe Josh Rojas will be the starting second baseman, but if he performs well, I don’t see why he couldn’t slide into that spot sometime this season.
Joey Gallo
Signing Joey Gallo in 2025 is kind of like finding a dollar in your pocket. It doesn’t really mean much now, but back in the day it would have been a real treat. I know that’s a random analogy and it’s because it’s a random signing.
Gallo didn’t make much of an impact last season, slashing .161/.277/.366 with 10 home runs across 76 games with the Nationals. He’s far removed from his All-Star days, but he still maintained a solid 12.3% walk rate and posted 1 OAA in right field. As you can probably tell by now, I have a soft spot for players who can draw walks, and Gallo certainly fits that mold.
His deal is a minor league contract, so there’s no guarantee he will make the team, but he’s definitely a name to watch in Spring Training. If he can find even a glimpse of his old power and discipline, he could carve out a role for himself in 2025.
Luis Robert Jr.
This one might seem a little out of place since he’s the only guy on this list who played for the White Sox last year, but if he isn’t traded in the coming days, I’m really looking forward to watching Luis Robert Jr. in 2025.
Last season was a down year for him. He hit .224/.278/.379 over 100 games while dealing with injuries, but I believe he’ll bounce back. Even if he doesn’t fully return to form, he’s still Luis Robert Jr. He’s going to make ridiculous plays in the outfield, and he’s going to nuke a few no-doubters.
If he stays healthy and in Chicago, he’ll be the most exciting player on this roster.
Colson Montgomery
Closing this out with the biggest name most fans are excited about: Colson Montgomery.
Montgomery was the White Sox’s first-round pick out of high school in 2021 and quickly climbed the minor league ranks over the past few seasons. However, he hit a bit of a wall in 2024, slashing .214/.329/.381 with 18 home runs in Triple-A Charlotte. Despite that, Chris Getz has big plans for him in 2025.
With the White Sox now in a fresh rebuild, I see Montgomery as the new Tim Anderson—a highly anticipated prospect set to lead the next wave of young talent. He’s the first big-name prospect fans have been waiting for, and that alone makes him one of the most exciting players to watch this season. If he can get consistent major league at-bats, 2025 could be the start of our shortstop for years to come
Conclusion
Last season was an absolute disaster. There’s no way around it. But 2025 will be better. There will be progress, there will be development, and there will be reasons to watch.
I’m not expecting a division title or a wild card chase, but I am expecting to see growth in all areas of this team. Young players will take steps forward, the roster will start to take shape, and there will finally be signs of a future worth believing in.
And one thing is certain: we will not lose 121 games. You can count on that.
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Featured Photo:
Yeah, let’s sign more bums who can’t hit their weight. Then, keep our fingers & eyes crossed so we break the 41 win barrier.