Every year, a handful of players ranked outside the top 10 in their respective farm systems take meaningful steps forward to improve their stock and vault up prospect rankings. Part of the fun is trying to identify those breakouts before it happens. So today, we’re identifying White Sox prospects who have the potential to make a jump in 2026.

To qualify, a player must rank outside the organization’s preseason Top 10 prospects. All scouting reports are from Baseball America’s 2026 Prospect handbook, which you can purchase here.

You can find Top 30 prospect rankings for all teams here and all breakout candidates here.

Breakout Prospects

Aldrin Batista, RHP

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
Adjusted Grade: 30

Track Record: The White Sox acquired Batista from the Dodgers in August 2023 in a deal involving international slot money that Los Angeles used to sign South Korean pitcher Hyun-Seok Jang. After a strong 2024 season split between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem, Batista positioned himself as a potential breakout arm entering 2025. He appeared in just one game in his return to Winston-Salem before a stress fracture in his right elbow sidelined him. Batista did not incur ligament damage and returned to action in August to pitch in six more games.

Scouting Report: Batista leans heavily on a 92-95 mph two-seam fastball that plays up because of plus sink and extension from a low release height. The pitch has 16 inches of horizontal break and bores in on righthanded batters. Batista infrequently uses a 92-96 mph four-seamer that is less effective because of his low release point. His plus, darting 84-87 mph changeup is even nastier than his sinker and tunnels well off the pitch. His 81-83 mph sweeper is still a work in progress but could get to average. Batista is a plus athlete with good body control who operates from a low, rock-step delivery that borders on sidearm. He has room to add strength to his thin, narrow frame.

The Future: Fully healthy again, Batista enters 2026 as a “pick to click” in the White Sox system. He could develop into a back-of-the-rotation arm if he adds more strength to his frame with a fallback as a mid- to high-leverage reliever who relies on his sinker/changeup combination.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Sweeper: 45 | Control: 50

Blake Larson, LHP

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Adjusted Grade: 30

Track Record: The White Sox received a supplemental second-round pick from the Mariners in the 2024 trade for righthander Gregory Santos and used it to select Larson out of IMG Academy, signing him for $1.397 million to buy out a Texas Christian commitment. Larson didn’t debut after the draft, instead pitching in instructional league games, then returned to the White Sox complex for a January 2025 minicamp with the goal of adding more strength to his lean frame. Instead, he blew out his elbow and needed season-ending Tommy John surgery in February.

Scouting Report: Larson fit the preferred White Sox profile as a lanky southpaw with a lower arm slot, and prior to surgery his two-seam fastball sat 93-94 mph and touched 95. He’ll likely add a bit more velocity as he packs on more strength. Larson’s main secondary is a low-80s sweepy slider that gets swings and misses because of its high spin rate. It has been a chase pitch to lefties and a breaking ball he can backfoot to righties. He seldom used a high-80s changeup in high school, and developing that pitch will be a goal when he gets back on the mound. He’ll also need to improve his below-average control and command.

The Future: Larson is unlikely to get back into games and make his pro debut until after spring training. Depending on his rehab, there’s a chance he could reach Low-A Kannapolis by the end of 2026.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Sweeper: 55 | Control: 40

Matthew Boughton, 2B/SS

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Adjusted Grade: 30

Track Record: Boughton was one of the older high schoolers in the 2025 class and turned 20 just two months after the draft. He was not a highly rated draft prospect, but the White Sox regarded the Texas native as a sleeper and signed him to an over-slot $197,500 bonus in the 11th round to keep him from a Texas A&M commitment. His father Michael was a minor league shortstop, coached in the Dodgers system and more recently was his high school coach. Boughton took a regular turn at second base in bridge league games after signing.

Scouting Report: A multi-sport athlete in high school, Boughton’s athleticism and speed immediately stand out. At the plate, he has a chance to be an average hitter with fringe-average power. His fast hands get the barrel through the zone quickly, but he will need to add strength and improve his bat path. Boughton projects as more of a glove-over-bat type and is an above-average defender at both middle infield positions with an above-average arm. He’s a plus runner, and his athletic tools and overall instincts for the game could give him a chance to play center field.

The Future: Boughton turns 21 in September, so he could move relatively quickly if he handles his first taste of full-season ball. His likely ceiling is a super utility role in the big leagues.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55