The Chicago White Sox have made their Opening Day decision, and it comes with a story worth celebrating.
The team announced Sunday that right-hander Shane Smith will start the season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 26 at American Family Field. It will mark the first Opening Day start of Smith’s career and comes in only his second season in the major leagues.
For Smith, the moment represents a remarkable full-circle journey.
From undrafted to Opening Day starter
Smith’s path to the top of the White Sox rotation hasn’t been traditional.
After going undrafted in the 2021 MLB Draft, he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and steadily climbed through their farm system. He eventually reached Triple-A before his career took another unexpected turn.
In the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, the White Sox selected Smith — a move that quickly proved to be one of the organization’s smartest decisions in recent years.
During the 2025 season, Smith emerged as Chicago’s most reliable pitcher. Across 29 starts, he posted a 3.81 ERA, recorded 145 strikeouts, and issued only 58 walks while finishing the year with a 7–8 record.
His breakout campaign earned him a spot on the 2025 MLB All-Star team, making him just the second player in league history to become an All-Star the season after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. The only other player to accomplish that feat was Dan Uggla.
Smith was also one of only two rookies selected for the All-Star Game, further highlighting the impact he made during his debut season.
A steady arm with leadership qualities
Although Smith experienced some struggles late in the 2025 season, his overall performance demonstrated the type of consistency the White Sox value at the front of their rotation.
His arsenal isn’t built on overwhelming velocity or flashy pitches. Instead, Smith relies on a steady fastball and a developing changeup, which improved significantly during his rookie campaign.
More importantly, the White Sox believe he brings leadership and maturity to a young clubhouse.
Manager Will Venable praised Smith’s influence both on and off the field when discussing the decision.
“From a performance standpoint, he’s put himself in that category of guys we want at the front of the rotation,” Venable said. “But also as a teammate, he’s a guy that sets an example for our group and is really emerging as a leader in the clubhouse.”
An emotional moment
To celebrate the announcement, the White Sox shared a video showing the moment Smith learned the news.
Venable called the pitcher into his office and spoke about his growth as both a player and teammate. When the manager revealed that Smith would be the team’s Opening Day starter, the right-hander became visibly emotional.
“I wanted that so bad,” Smith said while holding back tears. “Thank you. I’m excited beyond belief.”
Early spring results mixed but promising
Smith’s spring training performance has been uneven so far.
In his first appearance, he struggled with command and even hit two batters. However, his second outing showed improvement, as he settled in and allowed just one run while striking out two hitters.
Spring results aside, the White Sox clearly believe in Smith’s long-term potential.
Now he’ll have the chance to prove it on one of baseball’s biggest regular-season stages — Opening Day.
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