Schultz shines in first half of Minor League season
Scott Merkin
@scottmerkinCLEVELAND -- The objective of this edition of the newsletter is to pick the White Sox top Minor League player from the first half of the 2024 season.
I didn¡¯t want to take on this task alone, although I had a pretty good idea of my choice, so I threw it open to suggestions via social media. The fans are watching another rebuild, so they should have a say.
There were countless good answers, including the one I settled upon: Noah Schultz, the left-handed starter for Double-A Birmingham. The Barons¡¯ entire starting staff of Schultz, No. 3 prospect Drew Thorpe, No. 9 prospect Jairo Iriarte, No. 17 prospect Ky Bush, No. 19 prospect Mason Adams, No. 10 prospect Jake Eder and Tyler Schweitzer should realistically share this unofficial award after leading their team to a Southern League North first-half title.
But the performance of Schultz (the team¡¯s top pick in the 2022 Draft, its No. 2 prospect and the No. 18 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline) so aptly represents the current state of the White Sox. He is only 20 years old but full of talent and potential, which general manager Chris Getz and his staff hope eventually propel the White Sox to the highest Major League level.
¡°Yeah, he¡¯s got incredible stuff,¡± said Birmingham manager Sergio Santos of Schultz. ¡°A lefty being [6-foot-9], and how athletic he is. He¡¯s made some plays kind of off the mound on bunts or swinging bunts that are pretty impressive.
¡°He¡¯s 95 to 98 [mph], with a wipeout slider. He¡¯s close. I just think he needs more innings and experience, and without a doubt he¡¯ll make a big impact when he gets to the big leagues.¡±
That impact has been felt by High-A Winston-Salem and Birmingham in 2024. Schultz has a combined 3.02 ERA over 13 starts, including a 1.93 ERA in six starts for the Barons. He has 72 strikeouts and 10 walks in 50 2/3 innings, with 30 strikeouts against three walks in 23 1/3 innings since moving up to Double-A on May 25.
And amid his strong season, Schultz will also represent the White Sox at the 2024 All-Star Futures Game, alongside shortstop Colson Montgomery -- the organization's No. 1 prospect and No. 16 overall.
An expressed Spring Training goal of 65 to 80 innings for Schultz on the season seems on target. He has been compared to Hall of Famer Randy Johnson and Chris Sale, one of the top pitchers in White Sox history, being a southpaw with a unique delivery.
Schultz's numbers, albeit at an exceedingly early part of development, certainly point in that direction.
¡°When he got to us, it was like we won the lottery. We were ecstatic as a group,¡± said White Sox crosschecker J.J. Lally, who recommended Schultz. ¡°I told people in the Draft room this, and I truly meant it: I felt like getting Noah was about like when Chris Sale fell to us in 2010.¡±
¡°It's definitely cool to be compared to these guys, but in the end, I'm my own pitcher,¡± Schultz said. ¡°It's cool to watch them and see how they play, but I try to be my own. If people want to compare, they can. But I know that I don't try to be them.¡±
Here¡¯s a look at the other top players in the first half at each level for the White Sox.
Triple-A Charlotte: SS Colson Montgomery
Montgomery is playing in his first full season at the Triple-A level after tallying just 179 at-bats over the 2022 and '23 seasons at Birmingham. The 22-year-old leads the team with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs and 40 walks, despite striking out 92 times and hitting .213. He also has played a solid shortstop.
Double-A Birmingham: SS Brooks Baldwin/C Edgar Quero
The Barons' pitching staff received its deserved nod, but let¡¯s not forget the work of Baldwin in the middle infield and Quero behind the plate. Baldwin, the White Sox No. 24 prospect, leads the Southern League with a .324 average to go with 16 stolen bases. Quero, Chicago's No. 4 prospect, is tied for the league lead with 51 RBIs to go with his 12 homers.
¡°We're progressing, we're learning, we're developing and that's what we're here for,¡± said Quero during a recent Zoom interview. ¡°Hopefully we can join the Major League team soon and get better results there."
High-A Winston-Salem: RHP Eric Adler
He only pitched eight games for the Dash before being promoted to Birmingham on May 1, but the right-hander threw nine scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts against three hits and four walks and was 5-for-5 in save opportunities. He has a 4.58 ERA and five saves in 19 appearances for Birmingham.
Single-A Kannapolis: Ryan Galanie
Lucas Gordon, No. 15 prospect Seth Keener and No. 26 prospect Aldrin Batista have been solid on the mound. But the first baseman from Wofford gets the edge after slashing .346/.432/.582 with seven doubles, four triples, seven homers and 39 RBIs. He has four homers and 12 RBIs since being promoted to the Dash on June 4.
Rookie-level Arizona Complex League White Sox: OF George Wolkow (No. 14 prospect)
The 18-year-old outfielder had two homers, seven doubles, four RBIs and a .994 OPS before earning a promotion to Kannapolis on June 3. He has six homers and one triple in 23 games since joining Kannapolis.