The Arizona Complex League officially kicked off on Saturday, May 2nd, and the Chicago White Sox rookie ball affiliate is set to host a slew of young prospects looking to impress enough to join one of the full-season affiliates and eventually climb the ranks.
While many prep draft picks begin their professional careers at this stage, the recent schedule changes that have pushed the Arizona Complex League season earlier in the year have made that difficult, as the MLB draft is just a couple of weeks before the final game of the shortened season. Because of this, the Sox have opted to bump recent top prep draft picks such as Billy Carlson and Jaden Fauske straight to Low-A Kannapolis. Still, there are a lot of intriguing names to keep note of, several of which are consensusly ranked among the top prospects in the White Sox system, and others who have plenty of untapped potential to put themselves on scouts’ radars.
Pitchers
On the mound, the White Sox have several notable prospects who will start 2026 in Arizona. Headlining their staff will be Mathias LaCombe, who’s precence on the roster is a bit of a surprise. LaCombe began 2025 in the Arizona Complex League as well, but was bumped up to Low-A Kannapolis and impressed in his stint there. LaCombe has dealt with his fair share of injuries since being drafted in 2023, so it is likely that this demotion is injury-related and will be treated as more of a rehab assignment.
After LaCombe, Blake Larson is the most notable pitcher on the mound. A Competitive Balance Round B draft pick in 2024, the Sox signed Larson to an above-slot $1,397,500 signing bonus. While he originally planned to make his debut in the minor league system during the 2025 season, his debut was delayed due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. The lefty throws from a low three-quarter arm slot and sits around 93 with his fastball, although there is plenty of projection for him to gain some velocity as he adds strength to his frame. He can also generate plus spin rates on his slider.
Yobal Rodriguez also joins the ACL White Sox roster after an impressive professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. Signed for $230,000 in the 2025 international signing period, Rodriguez didn’t allow an earned run until his 8th appearance of the season, and was able to generate his fair share of strikeouts while maintaining at least average command. He sits at around 92-93 mph with his fastball, and should be able to generate more velocity as he matures and builds up strength.
Other pitchers of note include Alexander Martinez, a 6’5 right-hander who struck out 46 batters in 29.2 innings in the Dominican Summer League; Orlando Suarez, one of the top prospects in the White Sox 2024 international signing period class; Cesar Familia, the top pitcher from the Sox 2025 international class; and Blake Shephardson, an 11th-round pick in 2024 who struck out 36 batters in 26.1 innings in Low-A Kannapolis last season.
Catchers
Behind the plate, all eyes will be on 2025 4th round pick Landon Hodge. Unlike Carlson and Fauske, the 19-year-old California native will begin his pro career in Arizona before making his debut with one of the full-season affiliates. Hodge was the 164th-ranked prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft according to MLB Pipeline, and commanded an over-slot signing bonus of $1,097,500 to get him out of his commitment to LSU. He fits a valuable profile as a left-handed hitter who should be able to stick behind the plate, as his athleticism should allow him to continue to develop as a sound defender.
Jose Mendoza will likely split time with Hodge behind the plate in Arizona this season after an impressive professional debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2025. The 18-year-old impressed the organization with his defensive prowess while putting up respectable numbers at the plate.
Infielders
In the infield, Alexander Albertus is the most interesting prospect to note for several reasons. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Miguel Vargas and Jeral Perez in the Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, and Tommy Pham trade, Albertus has only appeared in nine games in the Arizona Complex League over the last two years and has not yet debuted in full-season ball with the Sox. He has battled multiple lower-body injuries since the trade, but will look to stay healthy and re-establish himself in 2026.
Eduardo Herrera will make his stateside debut after spending his first two professional seasons in the Dominican Summer League. Signed for $1.8 million in 2024, Herrera was MLB Pipeline’s 12th-ranked international prospect. Lauded for his plus raw power and drawing comparisons to Albert Pujols, Herrera has yet to live up to his original prospect billing. He improved at the plate in 2025 and even showed some defensive versatility by playing 1B, 3B, and catcher. He will have to show he can make contact more consistently, however, if he wants to move up the ranks in the White Sox system.
Alejandro Cruz was the Sox’s top international signing in 2025, ranking 33rd among international prospects according to MLB Pipeline. He signed for $2 million after gaining notability for his defense and bat-to-ball skills, while also having evaluators believe there was a possibility to grow into more power. He had a .774 OPS in his professional debut season in the DSL, and will look to improve on that as he makes his state-side debut this season.
Joining this group will be Adrian Gill, who has had success in Arizona but struggled with Kannapolis, and Jurdrick Profar, who struggled in Arizona last season after a promising 2024 in the DSL.
Outfielders
Christian Gonzalez headlines a group of interesting outfield prospects. Signed in 2024 for $550,000, he began the 2025 season repeating in the DSL. He was so impressive in that stint, however, that he was promoted to Arizona for the final 12 games of the ACL season. He hit .381 and posted a 145 wRC+ in those 12 games while impressing with his defense in center field. He is known as a good defender with double-plus speed, and will look to continue the momentum he built for himself this season.
Frank Mieses put together an all-star professional debut in the DSL last season and looks to continue to build himself up as he makes his stateside debut. He posted a .825 OPS in his first professional season with three home runs and eight stolen bases, and is looking like a bargain of a find for the White Sox’s scouting department after signing for just $175,000.
Recently acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Lenyn Sosa, Jordan Rich will look to make his professional debut in the Arizona Complex League this season. A 17th-round pick in 2025, the Blue Jays inked him to a $150,000 signing bonus to lure him away from his commitment to Miami-Dade College. He was originally committed to UConn to play both baseball and football as a defensive back before deciding to focus solely on baseball. While not a ton is known about him, he is lauded for his athleticism and defensive capabilities in center field.
Also joining this group of outfielders are Derek Cerda, Leandro Alsinois, Osniel Castillo, and Alan Escobar.
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