The White Sox bullpen reared its ugly head yet again yesterday afternoon. Staked to a 3-2 lead in the top of the 9th, Jordan Leasure was called on to get the save. Unfortunately, it went south quickly. Thanks to poor execution and defensive miscues, he allowed three runs, blowing the save and putting a damper on what would have been a series sweep against the Texas Rangers.
Bullpen woes are nothing new for the 2025 White Sox. The team already has 10 blown saves and 12 losses by just one run. Manager Will Venable has mixed and matched all season long to find any combination of relievers who can hold a lead late in games, but the White Sox have not been able to shut the door and win close games on a consistent basis. Thankfully, reinforcements are coming soon from the minor leagues.
Adisyn Coffey
Adisyn Coffey has made a statement in Triple-A this season. A former third-round pick in 2020, the 26-year-old right-hander has struck out 44 hitters in just 28.1 innings with the Knights. He also has a respectable 3.81 ERA, and opposing hitters are batting just .190 against him. Coffey has slowly but surely climbed the minor league ladder and has positioned himself to get the call to the big leagues soon.
Wikelman González
As the fourth player in the return package for Garrett Crochet this past offseason, Wikelman González has fallen under the radar because of what Chase Meidroth, Kyle Teel, and Braden Montgomery have done since entering the White Sox organization. But the 23-year-old right-hander is quickly proving that he is no throw-in.
After starting the season as a starter in Double-A, the organization promoted González to Triple-A and has had him exclusively in a reliever role since then. He has quickly embraced the challenge. While walks are an issue, González has recorded an impressive 1.42 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, striking out 14 batters in 12.2 innings with the Knights. He has proven that his stuff plays at the Triple-A level. If he can improve his command, we could see González in the White Sox bullpen before the end of the season.
Chase Plymell
At nearly 27 years old, Chase Plymell is the oldest player on this list and has received the least fanfare. But that has not stopped the undrafted right-hander from overcoming the odds. In 12 games between Double-A and Triple-A this season, he has recorded a 1.57 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. He is not a prolific strikeout pitcher, but opposing hitters have hit just .225 off him this season. Plymell is currently on the minor league injured list but figures to be one of the first bullpen arms to get a chance at the bigs once he returns.
Grant Taylor
Arguably the highest-upside player of this group, Grant Taylor is a top 100 prospect who has dominated as a starting pitcher in the minors. However, because of injury and workload concerns, the organization has recently shifted the 23-year-old right-hander to a relief role with the Barons.
The former 2023 second-rounder has seamlessly transitioned to the bullpen. Taylor has allowed only one hit in four scoreless innings while striking out nine batters without walking anyone. His fastball has reached over 100 MPH in a relief role, and he is quickly proving he is too good for the Double-A level. He is good enough to pitch in the big leagues right now, and it might not be long before that is the case.
Peyton Pallette
Taylor has drawn most of the headlines amongst the Barons bullpen of late, but he doesn’t even have the best K/9 in Birmingham’s relief corps. That distinction belongs to Peyton Pallette. The 24-year-old right-hander is a former second-round pick of the White Sox in 2022 and initially started his career as a starting pitcher. After struggling immensely in that role, the organization shifted him to the bullpen towards the middle of last season.
The results have been eye-opening. Pallette has struck out 32 batters in just 21 innings this season, allowing only 12 hits thanks to his high-velocity fastball and devastating slider combination. Opposing batters are hitting just .164 off him this season. He also has a strong 3.43 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and eight saves for the Barons. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get an opportunity in Chicago later this season.
Andrew Dalquist
Andrew Dalquist is another example of a former starting pitcher who has thrived in a relief role. A former third-round pick by the team in 2019, he struggled as a starter for several years in the minors before transitioning to a full-time reliever ahead of the 2024 season.
Dalquist has taken to his new role nicely. In 15 appearances this season in Double-A, he has a 1.16 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and opposing batters are hitting just .195 off of him. He lacks the huge strikeout totals of Taylor and Pallette, but Dalquist has been plenty productive in his own right. At 24 years old, he is reaching the point of being close to MLB-ready.
White Sox Bullpen Spots Are There For The Taking
The White Sox bullpen has been a revolving door all season. 20 different pitchers have made at least one relief appearance for the team. With the trade deadline looming and several current bullpen arms like Cam Booser and Steven Wilson being prime trade candidates, we will likely see even more turnover shortly. Spots in the White Sox bullpen are there for the taking. Whoever performs will rightly earn a role. It should only be a matter of time before the next wave of pitchers get their opportunity.
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