Thursday was a good day for the Sox 2025 draft class. Billy Carlson, Jaden Fauske and Max Banks all had big moments in their organizational debuts. It wasn’t enough to propel the Cannon Ballers to victory, however.
The Knights, meanwhile, weren’t ready for battle against the Nashville Sounds, suffering their first shutout of the season.
All this and more in today’s minor league recap!
Triple-A Charlotte Knights (4-2)
The Nashville Sounds completely shut down the sizzling Knights’ bats, holding the group scoreless for the first time this season. Only Jacob Gonzalez, the eight hitter, and Dru Baker, batting ninth, turned in multi-hit nights.
On the mound, Hagen Smith allowed one earned run over three innings of work while punching out five. MLB Pipeline’s No. 68 prospect also issued zero free passes and has just one walk in six innings this season.
- Sam Antonacci (2B): 1-for-4, SB, HBP, K
- William Bergolla Jr. (SS): 1-for-3, 2B, BB
- Oliver Dunn (3B): 0-for-3, BB, K
- Korey Lee (C): 0-for-4, 2 K
- Dustin Harris (RF): 1-for-4
- LaMonte Wade Jr. (DH): 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
- Jarred Kelenic (CF): 0-for-4, 2 K
- Jacob Gonzalez (1B): 2-for-4
- Dru Baker (LF): 2-for-4, K
- Hagen Smith (SP): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 0 BB, 5 K
- 50 pitches, 34 strikes
- Tyler Gilbert (RP): 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 0 BB, 3 K
- Tyler Schweitzer (RP): 3.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 0 BB, 3 K
FINAL: Knights 0, Nashville Sounds 4 | Box Score
Single-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (0-1)
The Cannon Ballers’ season couldn’t have started much better on Thursday. In the bottom of the first inning, 2025 second-round pick Jaden Fauske drilled a triple to deep right to lead off the frame. 2025 first-round selection Billy Carlson then grounded a single up the middle to drive him in, putting Kannapolis ahead after just two batters.
The rest of the game didn’t go quite as well, with the Cannon Ballers dropping their opener 4-3.
Max Banks, the Sox 14-round pick last season, turned in a strong start in his first taste of professional baseball. The right-hander struck out three over four shutout innings.
- Jaden Fauske (RF): 1-for-3, 3B, R, BB
- Billy Carlson (SS): 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
- Javier Mogollon (2B): 1-for-3, R, BB, SB, 2 K
- Stiven Flores (C): 2-for-3, RBI, BB, K
- Boston Smith (DH): 1-for-4, R, 2 K
- Marcelo Alcala (CF): 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
- Nathan Archer (LF): 1-for-4, 3B, RBI, K
- Arxy Hernandez (1B): 0-for-4, 2 K
- D’Angelo Tejada (3B): 0-for-4, K
- Max Banks (SP): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
- 56 pitches, 37 strikes
- Riley Eikhoff (RP): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
- 67 pitches, 46 strikes
- Marco Barrios (RP): 0.1 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, K
- 7 pitches, 5 strikes
- Pierce George (RP): 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
- 14 pitches, 10 strikes
FINAL: Cannon Ballers 3, Hill City Howlers 4 | Box Score
Jaden Fauske starts the #Ballers season with a triple off the RC wall for his first pro hit. pic.twitter.com/NebPRewDSX
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) April 2, 2026
Billy Carlson follows Fauske with his first pro hit of his career with a single to drive in Jaden. 1-0 #Ballers. pic.twitter.com/HBplSa7H5k
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) April 2, 2026
Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th and @PipelineTo35th for more White Sox news!
Featured image: @MLBazFallLeague/X
