MLB Pipeline released its 2026 preseason Top 30 prospect lists for every team, and the Chicago White Sox system mostly looked as expected.
At the top of the rankings are several well-known names:
- Braden Montgomery
- Noah Schultz
- Caleb Bonemer
- Hagen Smith
- Billy Carlson
The rest of the top ten includes Tanner McDougal, Jaden Fauske, Christian Oppor, Sam Antonacci and Kyle Lodise, highlighting the depth Chicago has built in its farm system.
However, beyond the obvious names, several developments stood out as surprises.
Here are three of the most notable takeaways from the new rankings.
Mason Adams Climbs Despite Missing Entire Season
One of the biggest surprises is the placement of right-handed pitcher Mason Adams, who ranked 12th in the organization.
That ranking is particularly surprising because Adams did not pitch at all in 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Even more surprising, he actually moved up one spot from last year’s rankings, despite the lost season.
Adams, now 26 years old, likely would have made his MLB debut in 2025 if not for the injury.
Scouts view him as a high-floor starting pitcher thanks to:
- Excellent pitch command
- Strong breaking pitches
- Ability to limit hard contact
His fastball velocity isn’t overwhelming, but his pitch mix and control make him effective.
If his recovery progresses well, Adams could debut in 2026 and potentially become a rotation contributor by 2027.
David Sandlin Drops in Rankings
Another surprise involves right-hander David Sandlin, who dropped from No. 14 to No. 18 in the updated rankings.
Sandlin was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Jordan Hicks trade, and early comments from the White Sox front office suggested high expectations.
General manager Chris Getz previously praised Sandlin’s potential, saying he possesses mid-rotation or better caliber stuff and could compete for a spot in the rotation.
Despite that optimism, Sandlin has not yet appeared in a spring training game, which has left many fans uncertain about his role.
Last season he reached Triple-A, but struggled while pitching in relief.
The main issue has been inconsistent command, which has allowed hitters to make hard contact despite the quality of his pitches.
Chicago still believes in his upside, and if he can improve his location in Triple-A Charlotte, he could still reach the majors later in 2026.
Some evaluators believe Sandlin could even become one of the biggest sleepers in the system.
Samuel Zavala Falls Out of the Top 30
Perhaps the most surprising development is that outfielder Samuel Zavala no longer appears on the Top 30 list at all.
Zavala was originally acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Dylan Cease trade, and at the time he was considered a high-upside offensive prospect.
However, his performance since joining the White Sox has been inconsistent.
In his first season in the organization he hit just .187, though he still managed a respectable .340 on-base percentage, showing the plate discipline that initially intrigued scouts.
He improved in 2025, raising his OPS to .732, but that progress apparently wasn’t enough to maintain his prospect status.
Now 21 years old, Zavala still has time to regain momentum.
He is expected to begin the season at either High-A or Double-A, where he will need to show more consistent offensive production to reestablish himself as a legitimate prospect.
A Deeper White Sox System
While these surprises stand out, the bigger takeaway from the rankings is how deep the White Sox farm system has become.
With several top pitching prospects and high-upside position players, the organization appears better positioned than it has been in years.
If even a few of these players develop as expected, the White Sox could see major contributions from their farm system as soon as the next couple seasons. ⚾
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