White Sox Minor Keys: July 7, 2026

Ahead of this weekend's MLB draft, Baseball America published its midseason organization talent rankings, which will give White Sox fans a sense of how much picking first matters to the system's perceived depth.

And when it comes to perceptions, the White Sox are improving them. BA bumped them up one spot from 18th to 17th, although partially because Noah Schultz hasn't yet graduated from the system. As soon as he's out of mix, the starting pitching options shrink.

Strength of the System: Big Power. Between Braden Montgomery, Caleb Bonemer, Colby Shelton, Jaden Fauske and George Wolkow, the White Sox system has prospects at multiple positions with plus power potential. They also have a nice mix of positional diversity. Montgomery is a potential regular in the outfield, and Fauske could follow in his footsteps. Bonemer should man a corner infield spot in the majors. Billy Carlson and William Bergolla give the team up-the-middle infielders.

System Weakness: Starting Pitching. With Noah Schultz getting ready to graduate, Chicago’s best pitching prospects carry plenty of relief risk. However, Tanner McDougal and Hagen Smith could be impact relievers if they end up in the pen, and Pierce George is another power arm to watch.

Charlotte 8, Nashville 2

• Rikuu Nishida worked out of his slump, going 3-for-5.
• He batted ahead of Munetaka Murakami, who singled and struck out twice in his first rehab game.
• Ryan Galanie maxed out his 1-for-5 night with a grand slam, striking out once.
• Edgar Quero was 1-for-3 with an HBP.
• Tanner McDougal is back in Triple-A: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP (of Nashville's Quero), 9 of 16 pitches for strikes.

Notes:

*Kendall Smith's postgame interview of Murakami included a backdrop and a boom mic.

*Statcast says McDougal averaged 97 mph with his fastball.

*Murakami's single was a 99.5 mph line drive, and Quero hit two balls over 100 mph -- the single and a lineout.

*Galanie's slam wasn't a Truist Field creation.

Columbus 4, Birmingham 3

• Caleb Bonemer was 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts.
• Anthony DePino went 0-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout.
• Boston Smith walked once and struck out thrice.
• Colby Shelton wore the collar and silver sombrero.
• Samuel Zavala went 0-for-1 with three walks.
• Lucas Gordon: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 2 HR, 50 of 75 pitches for strikes.
• Pierce George: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 9 of 21 pitches for strikes.

Notes:

*The Barons struck out 17 times overall.

Asheville 11, Winston-Salem 3

• Kyle Lodise returned to the lineup after missing five games, going 2-for-4 with a walk.
• Jeral Perez was 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
• George Wolkow went 2-for-4 with a homer, double and strikeout.
• Ben Hartl was 0-for-3 with an HBP, so that's on brand.
• Shane Smith: 2.2 IP, 3 H,3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 33 of 52 pitches for strikes.

Highlights:

*Wolkow's homers look especially goofy when center field is only 373 feet away.

Kannapolis 6, Delmarva 2

• Matthew Boughton went 0-for-3 with two walks.
• Nick McLain was 2-for-4 with a double.
• Christian Gonzalez, 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
• Alexander Albertus was 0-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts.
• Jurdrick Profar went 2-for3- with two walks.
• Truman Pauley: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 2 HBP, 48 of 83 pitches for strikes.

ACL White Sox 9, ACL Mariners 8 (7 innings)

• Yordani Soto homered, singled and struck out twice.
• Jose Mendoza was 1-for-3 with a double.
• Landon Hodge doubled twice and walked once.
• Alejandro Cruz went 1-for-2 with an HBP.

DSL Blue Jays Blue 5, DSL White Sox 3 (7 innings)

• Fernando Graterol went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
• Carlos Vielma, 1-for-4.
• Ronald Cardozo was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
• Felix Lebron doubled, singled and walked.
• Ronald Kelly: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP