With spring training entering its final week, here is a final projection of the Chicago White Sox 26-man Opening Day roster based on injuries, roster battles, and standout performances in camp.
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All right, it’s the White Sox Roundtable.
All right, it’s the White Sox Roundtable.
Sam Phelan here.
Sam Phelan here.
The final game of White Sox spring training will be played one week from today.
The final game of White Sox spring training will be played one week from today.
We’re closing in on the end of spring training, the start of the regular season.
We’re closing in on the end of spring training, the start of the regular season.
Baseball is back.
Baseball is back.
And so now, one week out, before they trim the roster, before we get some of our things answered, I’m going to give you my final prediction for the White Sox two thousand twenty six opening day roster.
And so now, one week out, before they trim the roster, before we get some of our things answered, I’m going to give you my final prediction for the White Sox two thousand twenty six opening day roster.
Who I think makes the cut, makes the team, updated with some injuries that I think have, really shaken up the dynamics of some of these roster battles and given new opportunities to White Sox players.
Who I think makes the cut, makes the team, updated with some injuries that I think have, really shaken up the dynamics of some of these roster battles and given new opportunities to White Sox players.
So let’s get into it.
So let’s get into it.
The twenty-six names.
The twenty-six names.
let’s start with your projected starters.
let’s start with your projected starters.
Offensively, Edgar Carroll behind the plate.
Offensively, Edgar Carroll behind the plate.
Munetaka Murakami, Chase Midroth, Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery on the infield.
Munetaka Murakami, Chase Midroth, Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery on the infield.
Andrew Benintendi, Luis Hanaleacuna, and Austin Hayes in the outfield.
Andrew Benintendi, Luis Hanaleacuna, and Austin Hayes in the outfield.
The DH, Lenin Sosa.
The DH, Lenin Sosa.
On the bench, Corey Lee, Everson Pereira, Jared Kelnick, and Curtis Mead.
On the bench, Corey Lee, Everson Pereira, Jared Kelnick, and Curtis Mead.
Okay, so let’s talk about this a little bit here.
Okay, so let’s talk about this a little bit here.
Corey Lee is going to make the team now with Kyle Teal starting the year on the injured list.
Corey Lee is going to make the team now with Kyle Teal starting the year on the injured list.
The White Sox only keep two catchers in my book, Caro, Lee.
The White Sox only keep two catchers in my book, Caro, Lee.
I thought Lee would have been an interesting roster choice when Teal was healthy if they decided to keep the third catcher.
I thought Lee would have been an interesting roster choice when Teal was healthy if they decided to keep the third catcher.
But now I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
But now I think it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
That opens up room to keep an extra infielder.
That opens up room to keep an extra infielder.
That spot goes to Curtis Mead, who offers something defensively that Lenin Sosa doesn’t.
That spot goes to Curtis Mead, who offers something defensively that Lenin Sosa doesn’t.
He can play a, a good third base, a decent first base.
He can play a, a good third base, a decent first base.
He can slide to second if he needs to.
He can slide to second if he needs to.
Some offensive upside.
Some offensive upside.
So six infielders total with Sosa and Mead, on the bench or DH-ing.
So six infielders total with Sosa and Mead, on the bench or DH-ing.
Then five outfielders.
Then five outfielders.
The three starters, I have both Pereira and Kelnick making the team.
The three starters, I have both Pereira and Kelnick making the team.
I don’t have Brooks Baldwin on the team.
I don’t have Brooks Baldwin on the team.
I think Brooks Baldwin will start the year on the injured list.
I think Brooks Baldwin will start the year on the injured list.
He’s dealing with some arm fatigue right now.
He’s dealing with some arm fatigue right now.
gives the White Sox an opportunity to try both of these high upside outfielders at the big league level, at least to start the season, see if they can get a more informed decision moving forward about how they want that grouping to look.
gives the White Sox an opportunity to try both of these high upside outfielders at the big league level, at least to start the season, see if they can get a more informed decision moving forward about how they want that grouping to look.
Baldwin does have minor league options if the White Sox need to use them as well, get him a little bit of a tuneup once he returns and is healthy.
Baldwin does have minor league options if the White Sox need to use them as well, get him a little bit of a tuneup once he returns and is healthy.
but I think they want to try both Pereira and Kelnick if they can.
but I think they want to try both Pereira and Kelnick if they can.
Both guys have, is, Kelnick especially has earned his spot.
Both guys have, is, Kelnick especially has earned his spot.
Pereira, I think they have no other choice but to keep because he’s out of options.
Pereira, I think they have no other choice but to keep because he’s out of options.
And then both of them have more offensive upside than somebody like Derek Hill, who’s also trying to make the team right now.
And then both of them have more offensive upside than somebody like Derek Hill, who’s also trying to make the team right now.
Starting pitchers, it’s a pretty clear five.
Starting pitchers, it’s a pretty clear five.
So the rotation, Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony K, Sean Burke, Eric Fetty.
So the rotation, Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony K, Sean Burke, Eric Fetty.
I would have had Mike Vassal in this group maybe as a dark horse to make the rotation before his injury.
I would have had Mike Vassal in this group maybe as a dark horse to make the rotation before his injury.
I think it’s serious.
I think it’s serious.
I think he needs Tommy John.
I think he needs Tommy John.
We’ll see.
We’ll see.
We’ll know.
We’ll know.
Hopefully not.
Hopefully not.
Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed.
Either way, Vassal’s gonna start the year on the injured list.
Either way, Vassal’s gonna start the year on the injured list.
This is gonna be your starting five.
This is gonna be your starting five.
That opens up an extra spot in the bullpen though, because now Vassal is down.
That opens up an extra spot in the bullpen though, because now Vassal is down.
I have three lefties, five righties making the team.
I have three lefties, five righties making the team.
Sean Newcomb, Tyler Gilbert, Chris Murphy.
Sean Newcomb, Tyler Gilbert, Chris Murphy.
Brandon Isert deserves to be on the team, but he has minor league options.
Brandon Isert deserves to be on the team, but he has minor league options.
Tyler Gilbert does not.
Tyler Gilbert does not.
The reason I have Murphy on the team over Isert is because Murphy is a multi-inning relief guy.
The reason I have Murphy on the team over Isert is because Murphy is a multi-inning relief guy.
So is Newcomb.
So is Newcomb.
but I think without Vassal in the bullpen, the White Sox are gonna want at least two or three guys that can go and give you multiple innings as a long reliever.
but I think without Vassal in the bullpen, the White Sox are gonna want at least two or three guys that can go and give you multiple innings as a long reliever.
Newcomb is one.
Newcomb is one.
Murphy is one.
Murphy is one.
Grant Taylor is another.
Grant Taylor is another.
So then there’s the right-handed relievers.
So then there’s the right-handed relievers.
Taylor, I mentioned.
Taylor, I mentioned.
Sir Anthony Dominguez is the closer.
Sir Anthony Dominguez is the closer.
Jordan Leisure, Jordan Hicks are no-brainers.
Jordan Leisure, Jordan Hicks are no-brainers.
Last spot, dark horse.
Last spot, dark horse.
I’m taking a shot.
I’m taking a shot.
Non-roster invite, Lucas Sims, who’s done four scoreless in spring training.
Non-roster invite, Lucas Sims, who’s done four scoreless in spring training.
I think he makes the team over the rule five draft picks, Alexander Alberto and Jedickson Paez, over someone like Ryan Barucki.
I think he makes the team over the rule five draft picks, Alexander Alberto and Jedickson Paez, over someone like Ryan Barucki.
We know the White Sox have already optioned Wickelman Gonzalez down.
We know the White Sox have already optioned Wickelman Gonzalez down.
So, I think Lucas Sims is a veteran with a lot of experience going into his tenth MLB season, who could be a valuable trade deadline asset if the White Sox get it right.
So, I think Lucas Sims is a veteran with a lot of experience going into his tenth MLB season, who could be a valuable trade deadline asset if the White Sox get it right.
Call him up at the start of the year.
Call him up at the start of the year.
Try his hand out.
Try his hand out.
If it doesn’t work, you can cut him loose pretty easily on a short leash.
If it doesn’t work, you can cut him loose pretty easily on a short leash.
But I like Lucas Sims to make the team.
But I like Lucas Sims to make the team.
There’s my twenty-six.
There’s my twenty-six.
I think that really the only spot I feel uneasy about is the back end of that bullpen right now.
I think that really the only spot I feel uneasy about is the back end of that bullpen right now.
But I’m pretty confident where I sit right now that the position players are starting to take shape.
But I’m pretty confident where I sit right now that the position players are starting to take shape.
and I don’t know.
and I don’t know.
I mean, Lamont Wade is maybe the only player I could see foiling my plans for what I have going on with the position players right now.
I mean, Lamont Wade is maybe the only player I could see foiling my plans for what I have going on with the position players right now.
But one week from now, we will know because the White Sox will be packing it up at Camelback Ranch, breaking camp, and heading to Milwaukee for opening day of the twenty twenty-six regular season.
But one week from now, we will know because the White Sox will be packing it up at Camelback Ranch, breaking camp, and heading to Milwaukee for opening day of the twenty twenty-six regular season.