GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox have a more cohesive, talented roster than they have had during any other time of this ongoing rebuild.
That idea makes some personnel decisions easier and some much more difficult with pitchers and catchers reporting Tuesday to Camelback Ranch. Here’s an initial educated guess at how their Opening Day 26 will look.
Catcher (3): Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, Korey Lee
Yes, three catchers, but this projection comes before the first Spring Training workout, so much could change. Having all three talented players gives manager Will Venable greater flexibility to regularly play Teel and Quero in the same starting lineup.
First baseman (1): Munetaka Murakami
Others: Miguel Vargas, Lenyn Sosa
It’s an exciting time for the organization, adding their most prominent presence from the pacific rim in franchise history. The power-packed Murakami will be absent from a sizeable portion of Spring Training to take part in the World Baseball Classic once again.
Second baseman (1): Chase Meidroth
Others: Luisangel Acuña, Sosa, Tanner Murray
Meidroth provides that gritty presence, along with his natural talent, needed by every solid squad. Keep an eye on Sam Antonacci, a non-roster invite who made a huge impression within the White Sox system in 2025.
Shortstop (1): Colson Montgomery
Others: Sosa, Murray, Meidroth
Montgomery went from his needed overall reset in Arizona at the end of April, a struggling period he clearly has moved on from, to finishing fifth in 2025 American League Rookie of the Year balloting. The left-handed hitter knocked 21 home runs in 71 games, while playing stellar defense up the middle.
Third baseman (1): Vargas
Others: Sosa, Curtis Mead, Murray
Vargas can play third or first, but is excited to be getting the chance at third.
“One hundred percent,” Vargas told MLB.com at SoxFest Live. “I’m a third baseman since I was a kid, so I love playing third. I really want to help my team any place I can. Now, I’m back to third base. I love it.”
Outfielders (3): Andrew Benintendi, Brooks Baldwin, Austin Hays
Others: Acuña, Derek Hill, Everson Pereira, Tristan Peters, Jarred Kelenic
The fleet-footed Acuña could become the team’s regular center fielder after getting time there during Winter League action, but the White Sox might opt for Baldwin to open the campaign. The White Sox still like Benintendi’s left-handed power bat, but Getz admitted Benintendi’s legs leading to him not being able to cover ground he once did has held him back. Benintendi feels good physically, per Getz, but will get at-bats at designated hitter.
DH (1): Quero
Others: Benintendi, Sosa, Vargas, Teel, Murakami
This spot will rotate players over the course of the season. As mentioned above, it gives Quero and Teel a chance to be in the same lineup.
Bench/Utility (4): Acuña, Sosa, Pereira, Lee
Others: Hill, Peters, Kelenic, Mead, Murray
Acuña, Lee, Sosa, Pereira, Hill, and Mead are out of options, making these final decisions interesting ones. The White Sox like the defense and athleticism provided in center by Hill, which could be valuable with the inexperience at that spot after the trade of Luis Robert Jr.
Starting Pitchers (5): Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Sean Burke, Sean Newcomb
Others: Jonathan Cannon, Mike Vasil, Jordan Hicks, Jedixson Paez, Tanner McDougal, David Sandlin
Cannon was the second most consistent starter behind Garrett Crochet during the ’24 season and feels as if he’s in a good place after learning from his ’25 mound struggles. He should help this team in some way this year. In Hicks, Newcomb, Vasil, Cannon and even McDougal and Sandlin, the White Sox have several pitchers who can work in either role.
Relief Pitchers (8): Seranthony Domínguez, Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure, Vasil, Hicks, Tyler Gilbert (L), Chris Murphy (L), Alexander Alberto
Others: Brandon Eisert, Cannon, Ryan Borucki, Wikelman González, Paez, Duncan Davitt
Newcomb eventually could be a key component from the bullpen but will be built up to start during Spring Training. The same goes for Vasil, although Getz said the right-hander will be working toward a multi-inning role.
“We’re still kind of open-minded on that,” said Getz of Vasil. “It is nice now that the Rule 5 handcuffs are off, so that allows us to be perhaps a little bit more creative with him.”
Gilbert has no options remaining, and while Eisert is not on this original list, the southpaw produced a 4.39 ERA over a team-best 72 games in ’25. He’s in the mix. Alberto and Paez are selections from the ’25 Rule 5 Draft.