As White Sox core buds, young players relish growing bonds

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Taking a trip up the Willis Tower, the third-tallest building in the United States, is often considered ¡°touristy¡± by those who reside in Chicago and walk by the edifice every day.

For the White Sox, that Windy City landmark might actually play a significant part within this latest rebuild.

An event was held at the Metropolitan Club high up in Willis on Jan. 23, which included White Sox corporate partners but also all the players in town for the festivities. It was a bonding experience 24 hours before the two-day SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre for the young crew, an experience that is continuing on through the early stages of Spring Training.

¡°I do see it, a core forming, and that was one of the bigger benefits of having a SoxFest this year from an internal standpoint,¡± White Sox general manager Chris Getz said. ¡°So many of the new players or the existing players hadn¡¯t really been in one space together or spent a couple of days together.¡±

¡°SoxFest was really good, especially with the trade with the Red Sox guys, they are all great guys,¡± right-hander Drew Thorpe said. ¡°It was good to get to meet them and be around them. This year, especially just in the clubhouse, it seems it¡¯s a lot better camaraderie and team aspect. It should be good.¡±

Catcher Kyle Teel (No. 32 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline), outfielder Braden Montgomery (No. 55) and infielder Chase Meidroth were part of the four-player return from Boston in the Dec. 11 Garrett Crochet trade on the last day of the Winter Meetings. They fit right in with the other highly touted White Sox prospects during their first Chicago visit.

Some of these same players at SoxFest attended the always entertaining Phoenix Open together days before White Sox pitchers and catchers had their first workout at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 12. The old 26 cabs, 26 players argument could be made, meaning talent and success always topple good feelings as long as the team wins.

In the current state of the White Sox, the good clubhouse feel is important. Players working toward a common goal, working with each other, is just as crucial.

¡°Most of the young players, we¡¯ve been playing together for maybe a couple of years now,¡± third baseman/designated hitter Bryan Ramos (Chicago's No. 16 prospect from 2024) said. ¡°We know each other. I think we are a pretty good family here. I feel it.¡±

¡°It¡¯s also a long season, so it helps to be friends with everyone you are around all year,¡± right-handed starter Jonathan Cannon said. ¡°We spend more time with each other than our own families. To want to come in every day and be around these guys is great.¡±

Cannon became a perfect example of the upward development of a young player from year to year. He was a prospect in last year¡¯s Spring Training, but a nondescript one a little down the list. After a solid rookie campaign in 2024, not only is Cannon in line for the '25 Opening Day start, but he also has become a leader on the pitching staff.

Nobody associated with the White Sox, from front office to players, wanted to go through the record-breaking 121 losses in 2024. But getting through that miserable season also might have brought the players closer together.

¡°Maybe something good did come out of it,¡± said shortstop and No. 39 prospect Colson Montgomery, who played for Triple-A Charlotte last season. ¡°It¡¯s so hard with seasons like that to think of stuff that¡¯s good, but that¡¯s one thing that¡¯s really helped. At the end of the day, we are taking it on the chin, but the team really came together and we embraced it.¡±

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Six White Sox players rank in MLB Pipeline¡¯s latest Top 100 Prospects list, ranging from left-hander Noah Schultz at No. 16 to catcher Edgar Quero at No. 66. There will be rookies on the White Sox Opening Day roster, but Getz is looking for a balance between veterans and these young players.

All six prospects from the Top 100 list, which also includes lefty Hagen Smith (No. 34), were among the players at SoxFest, beginning high above the ground at Willis Tower. This group is growing together, and the White Sox hope it eventually will be winning together.

¡°Yeah, I had never been there, so on the top [of Willis Tower], it was really cool,¡± said a smiling Cannon. ¡°Standing on the windows, that was something I had never done before. You get to see the beautiful city of Chicago from the tallest building. That was a really cool experience for us.¡±