In need of pitching reinforcements, the White Sox are turning to two of their top prospects.
Chicago is set to call up left-hander Hagen Smith and right-hander Tanner McDougal from Triple-A Charlotte, a source told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. The club has not confirmed the news.
Smith, the White Sox first-round Draft pick out of Arkansas in 2024, is the team’s No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 51 overall prospect. McDougal ranks as Chicago’s No. 4 prospect. Both began the season as starters and will return to the rotation plans after the 2026 season. But they are being used in relief currently to try and help the White Sox reach the postseason.
“They are pitching well out of the bullpen,” said White Sox general manager Chris Getz prior to an 8-2 loss to the Guardians on Friday, the team’s fourth straight setback. “We anticipate that they will be helping us at some point. We don’t know exactly when. But those guys are transitioning well.
“It’s power stuff on both sides. I know Hagen’s case, throwing his cutter is going to be really important for him against right-handed hitters. He’s starting to utilize that in his favor. When a need arises, we’ll go and grab those guys. At this point, we feel very comfortable they are in a position that can help us, but it’s a matter of the mechanics of bringing those guys up when a need arises.”
The White Sox are in need of fresh arms after playing a 13-inning game against the Red Sox on Thursday in Boston and inadvertently being forced to pull rookie starter Noah Schultz in the first inning of Friday’s series opener against the Guardians at Rate Field. Chicago acquired right-hander Luis Castillo from Seattle last week but decided to summon both Smith and McDougal to the Major Leagues for the stretch run.
Smith had a 4.32 ERA in 20 games (14 starts) for Charlotte this season, striking out 87 in 58 1/3 innings but issuing 40 walks. McDougal, the team’s fifth-round Draft pick in 2021, had a 2.86 ERA in 15 games (six starts) for the Knights with 40 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.
No corresponding moves have been announced. But David Sandlin, who was recalled from Charlotte on Friday, threw 96 pitches in the loss. Schultz faced just five hitters, with four reaching base, although Getz said earlier Friday they would like to keep him going at the big league level. Over his last 10 starts (11 appearances), Schultz is 1-8 with a 7.77 ERA. This comes on the heels of a 2.53 ERA in his first four MLB starts.