Most people will tell you that while the White Sox’ farm system is still far from even being average, it’s slowly improving. Now, a major publication is helping confirm that for the club, which now has two top 50 prospects according to Baseball America.
This morning, BA released its latest Top 100 Prospects list following the 2023 MLB Draft. The White Sox found themselves with two names on the list – one you might have expected, and one you probably did not:
- #30: SS Colson Montgomery (Previous: 38)
- #44: LHP Noah Schultz (Previous: NR)
The surprise here is obviously Schultz, who is given the following grades by BA – Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50. Both his slider and fastball have been heavily on display in Low-A, with the slider displaying some nasty sweeping movement across the zone. In five games (12 IP) with Kannapolis, the 6’9 left-hander has given up no runs, just one hit, and has struck out 16 hitters while walking just one. He has been limited by a flexor strain and general innings limits as a 19-year-old, but his stock has clearly soared up from being unranked on this top 100 list before the season began.
Montgomery, however, is no surprise to be on this list. Ranked in the top 40 before the season began, he now ranks in the top 30 despite missing a large chunk of the early season with a mid-back sprain. However, since returning, he’s looked as good as ever, slashing .429/.576/.694 cross 66 plate appearances in Rookie Ball and High-A. Once this mid-season break ends for affiliates, Montgomery is likely to find himself back in Double-A for the first extended stretch of his career (he did spend 14 games in Double-A last season as part of Project Birmingham).
Both Montgomery and Schultz will be interesting players to follow throughout the rest of the season as the White Sox will likely look to bolster their farm system further throughout the next few weeks at the Trade Deadline.
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Featured Image: Krista Destinee/Cannon Ballers – Twitter