CHICAGO -- What’s one word to describe the first half of the 2025 White Sox season?
How about … validation. Not exactly what you were thinking? But yes, validation in relation to the progress made by the White Sox rebuild as the organization moves slowly toward a competitive nature.
Finding that progress requires a trip beyond the South Siders’ 32-65 record at the All-Star break, ranking as the second-worst ledger in baseball. The White Sox understand skepticism from the fan base on their way to a third straight 100-loss season, even while they believe strides are being made through a better brand of baseball being played.
“Yeah, it's definitely encouraging, and it validates the vision that we had and the work that's gone into it,” general manager Chris Getz said during a recent interview. “We've got a young group up here with our Major League club. They're playing pretty well.
“Obviously, we've got a way to go still. … We just feel like we're at a really good place to make quality decisions for the future.”
Getz’s last sentence was in response to preparation for the ’25 Draft, which concluded on Monday night, with all departments working together to make the best pick or picks. Similar quality decisions will come into play during the post-All-Star break work for the White Sox, so here’s a look at key points for the remaining 2 1/2 months in this campaign.
One second-half goal for your team: Improvement, Development
Wins and losses still aren’t the ultimate goal at this stage of the rebuild, although manager Will Venable and his staff remain focused on trying to win every day, as Venable has shared numerous times. Young players such as infielders Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth, catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero and pitchers Shane Smith and Grant Taylor, to name a few, already have faced on-field ups and downs throughout their first big league runway.
But this experience will prove valuable and add to their confidence and knowledge in 2026 and beyond as they figure out everyday life with the White Sox.
Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Seller
Luis Robert Jr., the team’s center fielder possessing five-tool talent, has been the focus of trade talks and rumors since the 2024 Trade Deadline. The White Sox figure to move him, with teams interested in his Gold Glove-caliber defense and baserunning. The White Sox are hoping a contending team will take a chance on his slumping offense, banking on Robert benefiting from being one of the many key cogs in the lineup instead of being counted on as the key cog. Right-hander Adrian Houser, who has been one of the game’s best starting pitchers since joining the rotation on May 20 (1.56 ERA), will draw interest, and Getz could package another player with Houser to raise the return.
That young big league core, not to mention the talent developing in the Minors, will play together and grow together. So don’t look for the White Sox to subtract from that group.
Key player: Montgomery
It’s been a full season for the No. 5 White Sox prospect and No. 94 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and there are still 65 games remaining. Montgomery fought his way through struggles with Triple-A Charlotte and a reset in Arizona to earn a big league promotion on July 4. He came into the series in Pittsburgh starting on Friday with just two singles in his last 18 at-bats following a 5-for-10 start, meaning the skilled left-handed hitter once again will have to adjust to the adjustments being made against him.
He considers himself a shortstop, in the short term and long term, and has played well there, but he’s also had two White Sox looks at third base, which will be a lineup alignment to watch. Montgomery’s success is a big part of this rebuild moving forward.
Prospect to watch: Noah Schultz
As the top left-handed pitching prospect in the game and the top White Sox prospect, Schultz already has made it to Triple-A Charlotte after 45 Minor League starts, potentially putting him in place for a late-season callup to the White Sox. The 21-year-old has struggled with the Knights to the tune of an 11.91 ERA over three starts, and he had a rough run during his second All-Star Futures Game appearance. Those tough times should help Schultz prepare for the next level, as the most important factor is getting his work and innings in preparation to join the ’26 White Sox rotation.
Games remaining: 65 (Home, 31; Away, 34)
Remaining strength of schedule: .510, eighth-toughest in MLB, fourth in AL, first in AL Central
Key series
• July 25-27: Three vs. the Cubs at Rate Field. This series marks the first second-half home games for the White Sox, with the Cubs having swept the first three Interleague matchups between the two this season at Wrigley Field from May 16-18.
• July 28-30: Three at home vs. the Phillies. It’s the series before the Trade Deadline, which comes on the ensuing off-day.
• Aug. 22-31: 10-game homestand against the Twins, Royals and Yankees. It culminates with four games vs. the Yankees.