This White Sox trio has strong bond off field

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO – The goals for Davis Martin, Lane Ramsey and Declan Cronin remain the same: Reach the Major Leagues and help the White Sox win a World Series championship.

But if they can reach those goals together? Well, then all the better. It seems only fitting considering they’ve been together for much of their Minor League careers.

Martin, 26, was selected by the White Sox in the 14th round of the 2018 Draft, and Ramsey, 26, was taken in the 23rd round. Cronin, 25, arrived one year later in the 36th round.

They are currently part of Triple-A Charlotte’s pitching staff. They also lived together during February and March near Camelback Ranch, where they took part in in their first big league Spring Training.

“I always do everything backwards; it’s hilarious,” said Martin -- who made 14 appearances, of which nine were starts, for the 2022 White Sox -- during an interview in Arizona. “It’s cool because it’s a new experience. Different than anything I’ve ever experienced before.”

“It’s very funny,” Cronin said. “He had been in the Chicago clubhouse but not in Glendale.”

Through 15 games at Charlotte, Martin has made three starts and posted a 2.81 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 16 innings, including 11 strikeouts in his April 14 start. He would be next up for the White Sox if a starter is needed.

Ramsey has a 3.00 ERA and two saves in six appearances, while Cronin has an 8.22 ERA in six games but is considered a pitcher with strong overall stuff.

The trio of pitchers worked diligently to improve this spring but also had fun, from early morning jumps into the cold pool at the rental house to spirited games of pool to visits to a local all-you-can-eat sushi place. Now, the collective and individual focus falls upon continued development on the road to the Majors -- though they each would probably end up in their own place if that dream was fulfilled.

“I would imagine we would be at each other’s [residences], try to be next door neighbors. It’s definitely exciting times for us,” Ramsey said. “Exactly, all three being in Chicago. I feel very confident that will happen this year.”