As one might expect from a 121-loss season, the White Sox dipped heavily into their pool of spring training non-roster invitees in 2024. They used a whopping 14 of the 26 players they brought into Camelback Ranch from outside the 40-man picture, two more than the previous high from the previous year.
And as one also might expect from a 121-loss season, the White Sox weren't able to call up all the guys they should have or would have wanted. Colson Montgomery and Edgar Quero didn't end up getting into games due to underperformance and injury, respectively. And the two most successful relievers from the 2024 group ended up pitching for different teams, as the White Sox cut Jesse Chavez (who signed with Atlanta) in spring training and traded Jake Cousins to the Yankees for cash shortly after the season started.
A few of the 14 NRIs that did surface on the roster did show some staying power. The rest made Ted's end-of-season Sporcle a humiliating exercise for everyone involved. Updating the big board:
- 2024: Justin Anderson, Ky Bush, Jonathan Cannon, Fraser Ellard, Chad Kuhl, Jordan Leasure, Danny Mendick, Nick Nastrini, Rafael Ortega, Nick Padilla, Kevin Pillar, Zach Remillard, Chuckie Robinson, Jake Woodford
- 2023: Hanser Alberto, Oscar Colás, Declan Cronin, Billy Hamilton, Adam Haseley, Jake Marisnick, Keynan Middleton, Edgar Navarro, Sammy Peralta, Remillard, Lane Ramsey, Jesse Scholtens,
- 2022: Tanner Banks, Kyle Crick, Carlos Pérez
- 2021: Andrew Vaughn, Nick Williams, Ryan Burr, Alex McRae, Mike Wright
- 2020: Codi Heuer, Jonathan Stiever, Drew Anderson, Brady Lail, McRae, Ross Detwiler, Cheslor Cuthbert, Nicky Delmonico, Luis Gonzalez, Nick Madrigal
- 2019: Evan Marshall, Ryan Goins, Matt Skole, Charlie Tilson, Zack Collins, Mendick
- 2018: Chris Beck, Rob Scahill, Chris Volstad, Alfredo Gonzalez, Skole, Michael Kopech
- 2017: Anthony Swarzak, David Holmberg, Aaron Bummer, Jace Fry, Nicky Delmonico, Geovany Soto, Cody Asche
- 2016: Tim Anderson, Tyler Danish, Carson Fulmer, Jason Coats, Matt Purke, Hector Sanchez, Omar Narvaez
- 2015: Soto, Beck, Carlos Rodon, Scott Carroll, Micah Johnson
- 2014: Zach Putnam, Chris Bassitt, Scott Snodgress, Andy Wilkins
- 2013: Erik Johnson, Marcus Semien, Jake Petricka, Ramon Troncoso, David Purcey, Bryan Anderson
- 2012: Brian Bruney, Leyson Septimo, Eric Stults, Hector Gimenez, Ray Olmedo, Jordan Danks, Brian Omogrosso
- 2011: Bruney, Donny Lucy, Jeff Gray (and his journal), Josh Kinney, Shane Lindsay, Dallas McPherson
- 2010: Donny, Erick Threets
The White Sox announced their 24-player crop of NRIs for 2025 on Friday afternoon, but it's light on surprises since all of external signings had been announced in one form or another. Perhaps the prospect-heavy nature of it means Chris Getz is optimistic about the readiness of their closest talent. Perhaps, like last year, the White Sox will keep signing players and funneling them into camp well after pitchers and catchers report.
Baby's first spring, hitters
Montgomery gets to experience big-league camp before playing in his first professional game, which indicates a certain level of esteem. Amusingly, Montgomery reminded James and Josh on Friday that he's never attended a professional spring camp of any kind--major or minor--so he has no ability to gauge the bump in status he's enjoying. Maybe his presence just completes the set, since the other three players in the return for Garrett Crochet will be there, including Teel. Gonzalez and Veras also get the nods after up-and-down seasons in Birmingham. but Teel is the only one who could crack the Opening Day roster with a hot spring, although it would likely take an injury.
Baby's first spring, pitchers
Schultz was eased into spring training action last year out of concern for his injury-hampered debut in 2023, so it's good to see him prominently featured in this year's program from the jump. He'll team up with Smith and Taylor to give scouts and prospect enthusiasts something to watch in the early going, assuming those games are televised in any way.
Adams continues to shed his "under the radar" status, and a fast start to the season could have him in line for an MLB audition, even if a back problem prevented him from really immersing himself in the Charlotte experience last year. Pallette has positioned himself to be a big part of the White Sox's second-half bullpen if he plays his cards right. The White Sox also seem to like Adler, especially his slider, but his control problems haven't been a quick fix.
Right-handed pitching depth
When the White Sox signed Dunn to a minor league deal in November, he became the 17th member of the 2017 top 100 prospect lists to play for the White Sox in some capacity. He missed all of 2024 recovering from shoulder capsule surgery, and given that he was already reaching a dead end as a starter due to efficiency issues, he might pitch in relief for the first time in his career.
Altavilla is a study in persistence. He's pitched in parts of seven big-league seasons, but his five games with the Royals last year were his first in the majors since 2021. He's gotten so many chances because he still throws a 90-mph slider. Heasely pitched just 36 innings between Triple-A and Baltimore in 2024 due to right shoulder inflammation. He was good in Norfolk, but wore a 16.88 ERA over his 5⅓ innings. with the Orioles.
The White Sox announced Karinchak this afternoon, giving this group its most accomplished track record by far. He missed just about all of 2024 with -- you guessed it -- a shoulder injury, and Statcast says his fastball hovered around 92 mph in his eight September appearances in Triple-A Columbus. It should be pretty easy to tell if he's healthy come spring, because that should be 94-95.
Left-handed pitching depth
Between Fraser Ellard, Cam Booser and Tyler Gilbert, the White Sox figure to be set for lefties in their Opening Day bullpen. If an opening manages to present itself, McGough represents the best of what's left. Because the stuff isn't electric, he didn't get a September call-up or 40-man roster protection despite a 1.98 ERA and 88 strikeouts over 81⅔ innings last year, but if he keeps producing at Charlotte, the curiosity will probably be too much to ignore.
Catchers for those pitchers
It seems like Hackenberg missed his best window for an extended audition at the MLB level, as the Sox seem to have the present (Korey Lee, Matt Thaiss) and future (Teel, Edgar Quero) catching situations accounted for. Narváez is back, perhaps to see if Walker McKinven--who described him on Friday as a close friend--can once again get the best out of his receiving. He hit .154/.191/.185 in 69 not-so-nice plate appearances with the Mets in 2024, which was his third consecutive year of not hitting.
Organizational players
Julks is still in the organization after clearing waivers earlier this month. Braden Shewmake was claimed, but not him, and that must hurt. The rest of the field is new to the organization, and Mitchell could compete with him for outfield playing time, as he hit .277/.359/.512 for Triple-A El Paso last year. Dalbec is Ryan Fuller's first shot at a White Sox Ryan O'Hearn story, as a little more contact would allow his immense power to stand out. Maton provides infield depth at Charlotte if nothing else, though he was listed as an outfielder in this release and his time in Detroit didn't give much to dream on. He and Lipcius cycled out of the same Detroit infield in 2023, but the latter has a history of hitting at Triple-A, including .271/.351/.458 with 25 homers for Oklahoma City last year. If Lipcius has to fly into Chicago at any point, the Museum of Lithuanian Culture is right by Midway.
Show something
All three will start spring training in big-league camp for the second consecutive year, but Elko and Quero figure to open the season in Triple-A barring injuries elsewhere. Elko can use the spring to crack down on his in-zone contact issues, while Quero merely needs to show that he's recovered from the back issue that shortened his time in Charlotte at the end of the 2024 season. The 23-year-old Meidroth has multiple ways to make the Opening Day roster after hitting .293/.437/.401 at Triple-A Worcester because Chris Getz isn't ruling him out of the shortstop picture, even though Meidroth confirmed to James and Josh on Friday that second base is where he has by far the most experience and comfort.
