The Chicago White Sox traded right-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for four prospects.
The 25-year-old took over as a fulltime starting pitcher for the first time in his professional or college career in 2024. Crochet earned a spot on the American League all-star team while logging a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts over 146.0 innings pitched. Overall arm health remains a concern for the young pitcher as Crochet had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and did not pitch much in the second half of 2024 to preserve his arm while throwing by far the most innings of his career. Chicago was able to get four top 15 prospects from the Red Sox despite these concerns including a pair of MLB Top 100 players. These are the four newest members of the Chicago White Sox.
Kyle Teel – Catcher – 22 years old
Teel was selected 14th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and headlines Chris Getz’s return package. The 22-year-old played 112 games between AA Portland and AAA Worcester where he hit 13 home runs, doubled 23 times, drove in 78 runs and slashed .288/.386/.433. The University of Virginia product boasts a 60-graded arm and 55-graded fielding tool behind the plate while grading out with a 55 hit and 50 power tools from the left side of the plate. Teel also has above-average speed for a catcher. He slots in as MLB’s 25th best and Chicago’s second ranked prospect behind left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz. Teel also joins sixth ranked White Sox prospect catcher Edgar Quero. Both players should begin the season in AAA Charlotte and the team should be in absolutely no rush to get either to the major leagues until after the 2025 All Star Break at the earliest.
Braden Montgomery – Outfielder – 21 years old
Montgomery was selected 12th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Texas A&M via Stanford. The 21-year-old slugged a total of 62 home runs in his three years of college including 27 last season. Unfortunately, Montgomery broke his ankle in last year’s NCAA Super Regionals and has not yet made his professional debut. That will come this season as a member of the White Sox organization. The outfielder will likely start his career in low-A and grab multiple early promotions if he shows immediate results. Montgomery has 50-graded hit and speed tools to go along with 60-graded power. That above-average power tool was on full display in his final collegiate season. Montgomery’s best tool, however, is his 70-graded arm. He fits best as a corner outfielder with his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame and cannon arm but has pitched, hitting 96 mph, before at a high level. Montgomery ranks as the 54th best prospect in baseball and fifth best in the Chicago farm system.
Chase Meidroth – Infielder – 23 years old
Meidroth was drafted in the 4th round in the 2022 MLB Draft. The infielder has done nothing but hit in his 2.5 professional seasons. The 23-year-old is a contact-first hitter and has shown it with his ability to get on base at an absurdly high clip. Meidroth’s three MiLB seasons have seen him with an on-base percentage north of .400 in each season. He spent the entirety of 2024 in AAA Worchester where he slashed .293/.437/.400 with 128 hits, 20 doubles, seven home runs, 57 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and 105 walks. Meidroth slots in as Chicago’s 13th ranked prospect and appears to be very near MLB ready. Do not be surprised to see Meidroth this summer.
Wikelman Gonzalez – Right-Handed Pitcher – 22 years old
Gonzalez was signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela at just 16 years of age. The right-hander was an extremely high-strikeout pitcher in 2023 punching out 168 hitters in 111.1 innings between high-A and AA. He also made major strides with a 2.42 ERA and 63 Ks over 48.1 innings in 10 AA starts that season. Last year, Gonzalez notched a 4.73 ERA with 46 walks and just 92 strikeouts over 83.2 innings pitched. The 22-year-old’s best pitch is his 60-graded fastball that sits between 94-96 mph. He brings solid breaking and off-speed pitches to his repertoire but has major control issues. Control and confidence have been the major issues holding the now 14thranked Chicago prospect back from reaching his full potential. If Gonzalez can find some consistency in his control, he can be an effective arm for the White Sox down the line.
Updated Chicago White Sox Top 10 Prospects
#1 Noah Schutlz – LHP – 21 years old – AA
#2 Kyle Teel – C – 22 years old – AAA
#3 Hagen Smith – LHP – 21 years old – A+
#4 Colson Montgomery – SS – 22 years old – AAA
#5 Braden Montgomery – OF – 21 years old – ROK
#6 Edgar Quero – C – 21 years old – AAA
#7 Jairo Iriarte – RHP – 22 years old – AAA
#8 Grant Taylor – RHP – 22 years old – A
#9 George Wolkow – OF – 18 years old – A
#10 Mason Adams – RHP – 24 years old – AAA
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