Even though the minor league season ended last month, several prospects are heading to the Arizona Fall League for additional development.
The league, which officially began its month-long campaign last night, consists of six teams made up of prospects from all 30 clubs. A total of nine players from the White Sox organization are listed on the Glendale Desert Dogs roster ahead of tonight’s opener. They are:
- Colson Montgomery (SS, Triple-A Charlotte)
- Tim Elko (1B, Triple-A Charlotte)
- Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa (RHP, Triple-A Charlotte)
- Eric Adler (RHP, Double-A Birmingham)
- Andrew Dalquist (RHP, Double-A Birmingham)
- DJ Gladney (OF, Double-A Birmingham).
- Michael Turner (C, Double-A Birmingham)
- Peyton Pallette (RHP, High-A Winston-Salem)
- Grant Taylor (RHP, Low-A Kannapolis)
Montgomery, 22, is the most notable of the aforementioned group participating this fall. Still ranked as the organization’s top prospect by MLB Pipeline, the shortstop spent the entire 2024 season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights where he went through some growing pains. His strikeout rate jumped to nearly 30%, and he was not able to raise his batting average much above .200 for most of the season.
One of the younger players at the Triple-A level and MVP of the 2023 Arizona Fall League, Montgomery still has all the tools to become a key player of the future. In fact, the former first-rounder put together an impressive September where he hit .264/.357/.485 with four homers. If he can build off that this fall and carry a similar level of production into spring training, there is little doubt we will see him in a White Sox uniform early next season.
Players that typically end up in the Arizona Fall League are those who haven’t gotten the at-bats or innings that their respective clubs would’ve liked throughout the regular season to optimize their development. More specifically, each prospect has some sort of identified talent that the White Sox would like to see further. It’s the perfect time for position players to continue to get additional looks against advanced pitching and for pitchers to receive extended innings.
In terms of the timing, the Arizona Fall League regular season began on Monday, October 7, and runs through Thursday, November 14. The AFL Home Run Derby returns to Mesa’s Sloan Park on Friday, November 8, with the annual Fall Stars Game in the same place a day later. Fast-forward a week and the play-in semifinal will take place on Friday, November 15 at Scottsdale Stadium. The championship game will be held at Salt River Fields the following day.
For updates on the White Sox prospects this fall, keep it locked @SoxOn35th on social media.
Featured Photo: Laura Wolff Photography
