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.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It wasn’t too long ago when the White Sox had the worst Minor League system in baseball according to MLB Pipeline.

In fact, they ranked No. 30 as recently as the 2022 preseason. They have since moved up to 20th overall, but of potentially greater significance is the nucleus of talented young players presently learning together and growing together in preparation for what the White Sox hope is eventually winning together at the Major League level.

“This is a super fun group, and I really like the way everyone is coming along,” said outfielder Jacob Burke, the No. 30 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline. “I think that the White Sox fans are going to really love this group in the near future.”

“You see it all the time. The team has success and a lot of times their prospects all go up together,” added outfielder George Wolkow, the No. 11 White Sox prospect. “They have those good relationships. So, I think that’s what makes a great team. That’s what changes the culture.”

A number of those Top 30 White Sox prospects will be in action Friday during the inaugural Spring Breakout contest against the Cubs at Sloan Park, with a first pitch of 4:05 p.m. CT. Shortstop Colson Montgomery, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and baseball's No. 9 overall, will be there, as will Burke and Wolkow.

Jordan Leasure, the No. 15 White Sox prospect who has been flawless on the mound this Spring Training, is on the roster. Shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, the team’s top pick in the 2023 Draft and No. 5 White Sox prospect, is playing, as is third baseman Bryan Ramos (No. 3) and catcher Edgar Quero (No. 4).

First baseman Tim Elko, who homered in his first 2024 Cactus League at-bat at Sloan Park, also is among the 23 on the roster.

“It’s super cool. It’s an honor for us and the rest of the guys who got invited,” said Elko of the Spring Breakout contest. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to just see the young talent we have in our organization.”

“I’m excited,” Leasure said. “Just another opportunity to show what I can do.”

Spring Breakout players for the Cubs include right-hander Cade Horton, who is ranked No. 26 overall in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 47), infielder Matt Shaw (No. 54), and outfielder Kevin Alcántara (No. 65). So, the White Sox prospects will get a chance against representatives from the No. 2 system overall.

“I remember facing [Alcántara] in the Fall Stars game,” Leasure said. “He’s a really good player. So, hopefully I can face him again.

“Obviously, I want to be with the [big league] team. But if that’s another chance to show I can play against top talent, I’ll take it.”

Leasure’s 0.00 ERA this Spring Training reinforces his case for a spot on the Opening Day roster, while Montgomery, Elko, Ramos, and Quero were part of big league camp but have been sent back to the Minor League side. On Friday in Mesa, they will have a chance to show some of the talent coming in the not-too-distant future.

“Really good friends with all of them. Great players,” said White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz, the team’s No. 2 prospect and No. 50 overall. “I look forward to seeing what we can all do together.”

“I’m extremely excited to have that opportunity to potentially be able to do that with my career and with other great prospects,” Wolkow said. “We all get to work hard and hopefully come up together. By the time we are all there, win some championships.”