The Chicago White Sox arenât considered major contenders for the upcoming 2025 season, but theyâve been evaluating several pitchers during MLB spring training. One of them recently made headlines by striking out three consecutive World Series championsâShohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smithâshowcasing his ability to handle elite hitters.
The prospect in question is Shane Smith, who has yet to make his MLB debut but is already proving he has the arm for the job. Recently, he pitched for the Biloxi Shuckers, where he posted a 3.08 ERA over 27 games (16 starts) with a 5-3 record.
Thatâs the kind of pitchers the White Sox need, as last season their defense struggled, resulting in 121 losses and only 41 winsâyet another year to forget, and quite a painful one. The performance from the mound was a disaster, with the majority of pitchers having an average ERA above 4.10, and only two being below that number (Garrett Crochet, Erick Fedde).
The White Sox ended up winning the game, showcasing what could be the new âfaceâ of the team for the 2025 MLB season. Beating the World Series champion Dodgers 5-2 is no small feat, even if itâs just a spring training game. In the first three innings, Shane Smith was sharp, allowing only one hit and delivering five strikeouts.
The likely rotation for the White Sox
Itâs worth noting that the rotation for the White Sox in the 2025 MLB season isnât set in stone yet, but Jonathan Cannon is expected to be one of the key names on that list. Sean Burke is also anticipated to play a significant role alongside options like Martin Perez, Davis Martin, and Drew Thorpe.
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How long has it been since the Chicago White Sox had a good season?
The last time they had a strong season was in 2021 when they made it to the playoffs and lost the ALDS to the Astros 3-1. The following year, in 2022, they finished with an 81-81 record, and between 2023 and 2024, theyâve endured back-to-back seasons with over 100 losses each.
