Prospects to watch in White Sox bolstered farm system

CHICAGO -- The White Sox Minor League teams will get fully underway on Friday, representing a system that moved up to No. 20 overall in MLB Pipeline’s rankings with a number of key players joining the organization since the last Trade Deadline.

Shortstop Colson Montgomery (No. 9), left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz (No. 48) and right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe (No. 82) are Chicago’s prospects in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.

“Just being healthy was my No. 1 concern pretty much,” Montgomery told MLB.com of his Spring Training. “The fact that I was healthy, I was able to get a little more opportunity of doing things, being on the field more with all those guys.”

Here’s a key player and pitcher to watch for each 2024 affiliate.

Triple-A Charlotte

Player to watch: Montgomery (White Sox No. 1 prospect)
The club’s top prospect already has begun his first stint with the Knights. The White Sox have talked about the good ones such as Montgomery setting their own Major League timetable, but the shortstop could reach the Majors during the 2024 season.

Pitcher to watch: RHP Jonathan Cannon (No. 11)
The right-hander had an outstanding run during Spring Training, posting a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts and one walk in 11 innings. Cannon is a consistent strike thrower.

“As the stuff improves, you get some more in-zone miss,” Cannon said. “And it allows you to elicit more chases. That’s been part of the development as well.”

Other top prospects: RHP Prelander Berroa (No. 19), RHP Sean Burke (No. 23)

Double-A Birmingham
Opening Day: Friday, 7 p.m. CT vs. Chattanooga.

Player to watch: C Edgar Quero (White Sox No. 5)
The White Sox catcher of the future came over to the team as part of the Lucas Giolito/Reynaldo Lopez trade with the Angels at the 2023 Deadline. The switch-hitter benefited from a chance to work with veteran catchers Martin Maldonado and Max Stassi in Spring Training.

“Basically, like how they do it in the game,” Quero said of working with the veteran catchers. “How they call the game. They can help me with that, and how they receive and how they catch every pitcher.”

Pitcher to watch: RHP Drew Thorpe (No. 3)
The right-hander was the centerpiece of the four-player return from San Diego in the Dylan Cease trade during Spring Training. He has one of the best changeups in the Minor Leagues and could join the big league club before the end of the 2024 campaign.

Other top prospects: 3B Bryan Ramos (No. 4), RHP Jairo Iriarte (No. 9), LHP Jake Eder (No. 10), LHP Ky Bush (No. 20), RHP Mason Adams (No. 22), OF Wilfred Veras (No. 28)

High-A Winston-Salem
Opening Day: Friday, 5:35 p.m. CT at Asheville

Player to watch: SS Jacob Gonzalez (No. 7)
The White Sox top pick (No. 15 overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft made changes to his approach in the offseason, leaving him the talk of Minor League camp early on.

Pitcher to watch: LHP Noah Schultz (No. 2)
Very few players in the organization, or in the Minors, have as much buzz as Schultz. The goal for the southpaw is to throw 65 to 80 innings in 2024.

Other top prospects: OF Samuel Zavala (No. 6), RHP Peyton Pallette (No. 12), RHP Tanner McDougal (No. 21), INF Brooks Baldwin (No. 27), RHP Juan Carela (No. 29)

Single-A Kannapolis
Opening Day: Friday, 6:05 p.m. CT at Charleston

Player to watch: RHP Aldrin Batista
Batista posted a 2.66 ERA over five starts with Kannapolis in 2023.

Pitcher to watch: Arxy Hernandez
The 20-year-old third baseman had a strong spring camp, according to the White Sox. He hit .243 with six stolen bases in 34 games in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2023.

Other top prospects: RHP Seth Keener (No. 15)