With the White Sox splitting their series last week against the Angels and Mariners, many publications kept the team hovering around the Top 20, with a few even placing them in the high teens. A series win over the Royals and a strong showing against the Cubs should be enough to push Will Venable‘s squad firmly into the Top 15 by next week.
For now, here’s how major publications view the surging Sox:
MLB.com: 22
Previously: 20
General manager Chris Getz has noticed that the White Sox are playing better this year, but he wants to make it clear that he knows there’s still a long way to go. “We are not losing sight of what we are building toward here,” he said. “Guys are continuing to progress and develop. They have taken advantage of these opportunities. We just want to continue to play quality baseball, compete.”
Will Leitch
Released on Sunday, May 10th.
Bleacher Report: 19
Previously: 21
It took the White Sox 61 games before they reached 19 wins last season, so this has not only been a more entertaining team to watch, but a more successful one by a wide margin. With two more long balls last week, Munetaka Murakami is up to 15 home runs on the year, one behind Aaron Judge for the AL lead.
Joel Reuter
Released on Monday, May 11th.
USA Today: 23
Previously: 26
Davis Martin, All-Star Game starting pitcher? Stranger things have happened.
Gabe Lacques
Released on Monday, May 11th.
CBS Sports: 19
Previously: 22
Through just 111 career MLB games, Colson Montgomery has 31 home runs. He’s being overshadowed by a certain teammate, but let’s not overlook his power.
Released on Monday, May 11th.
NBC Sports: 18
Previously: 25
Munetaka Murakami’s home run-hitting prowess has been one of the biggest stories of the 2026 season so far, but Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas are also doing their part on the power front. The White Sox are the only team who has three players with at least nine home runs.
D.J. Short
Released on Monday, May 11th.
FanGraphs: 25
Previously: 24
Released on Monday, May 11th.
FanSided: 21
Previously: 23
The White Sox winning the AL Central would be one of the more fun storylines in MLB. As of last week, it looked like a real possibility, especially once Tarik Skubal went down with an elbow injury. He’ll miss 2-3 months. The White Sox won’t. It’s okay to admit the south siders are ahead of schedule and that they don’t have a high-percentage chance of winning the division. That’s a leap that probably won’t happen for another year or two. Calling up Colson Montgomery might help their odds, though.
Mark Powell
Released on Monday, May 11th.
The Athletic: 18
Previously: 24
One reason to believe in this team: The White Sox have emerged from the darkness
These aren’t your slightly older sibling’s White Sox. They survived the bleak summers, with 100 (or 121) losses and little hope. Some of the prospects they’ve been amassing have reached the majors and, in the case of Colson Montgomery, have thrived. Mix in a breakout season for Davis Martin in the rotation and a jaw-dropping start for Munetaka Murakami, and maybe this situation is as simple as a young team playing free and easy and not really knowing any better.
They sit right behind the Guardians at the top of the AL Central, even if this division is still below sea level. Who’s to say the White Sox can’t be a thorn in the side of most teams they face all season?
Zack Meisel
Released on Tuesday, May 12th.
Yahoo Sports: 22
Previously Ranked: N/A
Rookie Sam Antonacci (117 wRC+) has helped matters as the regular left fielder since his call-up in mid-April, but on the whole, Chicago’s outfield production has been brutally bad. White Sox outfielders have combined for a 73 wRC+, the worst mark in the majors. It’s been easy to overlook because of the incredibly positive developments in the infield (Munetaka Murakami! Colson Montgomery! Miguel Vargas!), but this unit will need to be upgraded substantially for Chicago to take the next step in its rebuild.
Jordan Shusterman
Released on Tuesday, May 12th.
ESPN: 23
Previously Ranked: 21
On this date two years ago, the White Sox were 13-30 and gathering negative momentum en route to a 121-loss season. Now they’re in the early running for a playoff spot and could have multiple All-Stars — Munetaka Murakami is among the MLB leaders in homers, Davis Martin has a 1.62 ERA and shortstop Colson Montgomery is on pace to hammer 40 homers and drive in 111 runs. The White Sox have a big showdown with the crosstown rival Cubs this weekend.
Buster Olney
Released on Thursday, May 14th.
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Featured Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
