Will Venable and Co. kicked off Spring Training action this week with a pair of games against Midwest rivals. Paying homage to last year’s record-setting squad, the White Sox lost both contests. Regardless, the South Siders had some positive developments, with a few noteworthy prospects making headlines. Colson Montgomery, Braden Montgomery, Tim Elko, Grant Taylor, Jake Eder, and Peyton Pallette all had positive moments for the rebuilding Sox.
Saturday, February 22
FINAL: Cubs 7, Sox 3
Saturday’s season-opening affair featured some encouraging moments for the Sox despite the result. Jared Shuster did surrender five runs in one inning, but the Sox pitching staff performed well otherwise. Six arms threw scoreless outings, including 40-man members Steven Wilson and Brandon Eisert. Additionally, there were a couple of smooth plays made by the middle infield.
Garrett Schoenle does what a Garrett Schoenle does. He puts out the fire quickly with a beautiful DP turned by Colson and Chase. pic.twitter.com/h29mpulXkl
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) February 22, 2025
Colson Montgomery handling a slow grounder to his far left to make the play at first. pic.twitter.com/hrcAFfgbhl
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) February 22, 2025
At the plate, Colson Montgomery, Luis Robert Jr., and Tim Elko stood out. Montgomery, a consensus Top 100 prospect, smacked a two-run homer off veteran lefty Caleb Thielbar to straightaway center in the fourth inning. Elko added a walk to a solo shot in the sixth off of former Guardian Eli Morgan, and Robert Jr. collected a double and a single in three at-bats. Recent pickup Brandon Drury notched a double of his own as well.
Colson Montgomery crushes a 2-run bomb to dead center off the lefty@PipelineTo35th 🫢
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) February 22, 2025
pic.twitter.com/m7ITjNRgCB
Tim Elko goes oppo 🌮 pic.twitter.com/0tH2YeVJ4C
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) February 22, 2025
On the downside, Prelander Berroa, a former Sox Top 30 prospect, left the game with elbow discomfort after yielding a bomb and two earned runs. Also, this happened.
Box Score
Sunday, February 23
FINAL: Royals 4, Sox 3
Heading into the eighth inning, the Pale Hose appeared to be bouncing back vs the Royals. Kansas City had other ideas, hanging three runs in the bottom half on 26-year-old southpaw Trey McGough to set up a one-run victory. University of Florida standout and 2024 first-rounder Jac Caglianone got things going in that frame with a mammoth blast. Chicago’s pitching staff otherwise stole the show, with clean performances from notable names.
Grant Taylor, who recently popped up on Fangraphs’ Top 100 prospect list, turned the most heads with his 101.2 mph heater in a scoreless inning. Newcomer Tyler Gilbert, a 31-year-old with four years of relief experience, fired two scoreless frames to start the contest. Three other pitchers impressed: Jake Eder, Juan Carela, and Peyton Pallette. The former two notched one punch-out each and both retired Bobby Witt Jr. with ease. James Karinchack, true to form, struck three batters out yet allowed a homer.
Offensively, the Sox struggled to do much. Corey Julks delivered the big hit with a two-run dinger in the seventh, while Lenyn Sosa came through early with a two-out second-inning single. Prospects Braden Montgomery, Tim Elko, and Zach DeLoach each registered walks, while veteran infield signee Josh Rojas bashed a double and scored on Sosa’s knock.
Just one highlight is available from Sunday’s match, unfortunately, so you’ll have to soak in the rest of the loss with your imagination! For now, here’s Julks’ two-run jack.
Box Score
Other Happenings
Perhaps the weekend’s most consequential development was the news of minority owner Justin Ishbia’s increased stake in the White Sox. Dan Hayes, Twins writer for The Athletic, wrote that Jerry Reinsdorf was instrumental in flipping the billionaire from his reported interest in the Minnesota ballclub.
The Sox media team continued to up their game, releasing some young players’ reactions to their old social posts.
We also remember former White Sox pitcher Eddie Fisher, who passed away last week.
For more White Sox news and updates, follow us on social media @SoxOn35th.
Featured Photo: MLB.com
