White Sox set to use Draft, Trade Deadline to reshape present and future

CHICAGO -- Let’s take a step away from the pre-All-Star break success for the 2026 White Sox and look into their future.

But here’s the interesting thing about that South Side future. With the significant steps taken to the top of the American League Central, those current and future Minor League components enhance what’s going on in the present in a more expedient sort of manner.

General manager Chris Getz, director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley and their respective staffs are putting in countless hours as the team prepares to make the top overall pick in the Draft for the third time in franchise history. Will it be one of the top two shortstops, Roch Cholowsky or Grady Emerson? Could it even be catcher Vahn Lackey?

That news will be revealed Saturday afternoon, although Shirley has stressed the White Sox are looking for the best player available since talking to MLB.com a few weeks ago about this overwhelming responsibility in a positive way. Whoever joins Danny Goodwin (1971, didn’t sign) and Harold Baines (1977, Hall of Famer), he will not help the Major League roster in 2026.

Thirteen players have made their debut for the White Sox this season, including first baseman Munetaka Murakami, who should be back at Rate Field and in the lineup Friday night after his two-day injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte and a six-week absence due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. More players from within the system could be on the way to Chicago, but players could be leaving, as well, as part of trades leading to the Aug. 3 Deadline.

This scenario becomes an interesting one for Paul Janish, the White Sox director of player development. But it’s a situation he’s prepared for at this time of year.

“It’s one of those things where it could be tough in some ways,” said Janish prior to Thursday’s series finale against the Red Sox. “Highlighting the fact that if you do trade some of our Minor League players and guys we know, love and root for, but at the end of the day if they get an opportunity, I tell the players all the time, ‘I hope you get to play in the big leagues.’ Obviously we hope it’s for the White Sox.

“For as much as we care about the players, if they get a Major League opportunity, that’s the ultimate goal. With regards to the context of trades and the communication with myself and the front office, or us in general, you do the best you can to be on call and whatever’s needed.”

Janish, his staff and his coaches spend a great deal of time getting to know Minor League players, learning everything from skill set to who they are personally. It helps everyone involved make good decisions.

“At the end of the day, the context of a trade is not really up to me,” Janish said. “We’re just trying to provide the best information for Chris to make a decision.”

Right-hander Tanner McDougal, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the White Sox No. 5 prospect, currently is pitching in relief for Charlotte. He will be stretched out in the offseason to have a chance at starting in 2027, but he could help the White Sox now from the bullpen. That same role could hold true for Hagen Smith, the No. 3 White Sox prospect and No. 55 overall, as he is throwing his first side today in a return from a left shoulder impingement.

Infielder Caleb Bonemer, ranked as the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall at 20 years old, is going to the All-Star Futures Game Sunday in Philadelphia and could end up in Triple-A before the season is over.

“You look at it sometimes, but I don’t really try to think about it a whole lot,” Bonemer said of his path to the big leagues and fit in the organization. “It’s not really my call. I just try to keep doing what I’m doing, wherever I’m at. The organization will decide.

“It’s cool to watch the big league team do well. Hopefully they can make a run at the playoffs this year. Me personally, if I keep doing my thing, at the end of the day whatever happens, happens. I just try to take care of my own stuff.”

Bonemer would join this year's top Draft pick at the heart of the future Chicago core. And with the way the White Sox have grown as an organization, it figures to be the last top pick for a while.

“I don’t want to pick 1-1 again. I want to pass this on to someone else,” a smiling Shirley said. “I want the White Sox to win a championship here real soon.”