If nothing else, Spring Training allows White Sox fans to get an opportunity to check out some of the highly touted prospects in the White Sox system. On Saturday, fans got to see Colson Montgomery and Tim Elko go deep, while on Sunday, an under the radar pitcher showed out.
In Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals, the White Sox ended up losing 4-3 in the ninth inning, however there was one particular bright spot. Grant Taylor, a second round pick of the White Sox in the 2023 draft had a nice 1-2-3 inning. It wasn't just the fact he had a 1-2-3 inning against major league hitters, it's the stuff that was truly impressive.
Grant Taylor gave us a taste of his wicked stuff in the Arizona Fall League, and now he's showing it off in Spring Training! His fastball maxed out at 101.2 MPH and he exhibited elite extension
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) February 24, 2025
He has the makings of an elite pitching prospect! pic.twitter.com/5iKhocCAkE
While Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith are the most well known pitching prospects in the White Sox system, fans should get to know Taylor, as he had an elite debut in the minor leagues last season and has now followed it up with a surprising outing, even to him.
In the game, Taylor hit an impressive 101.2 MPH on the gun, even more impressive when you consider how early it is in the spring. After the game, Scott Merkin caught up with him, asking him about his extra velocity on the day. Taylor said: “It was pretty cool. That’s my first fastball above 100 [mph]. Pretty cool to just skip the 100 and go straight to 101.”
It is good to see a positive development for a White Sox prospect, as if an already talented pitcher has an extra few MPH on his fastball, it could make a huge difference.
Taylor had a fantastic debut season with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, as he had a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings with 25 strikeouts and just one walk before his season ended prematurely due to an injury. Due to that start, Taylor has flown up prospect lists, as he now sits as the 8th best prospect in the White Sox system according to MLB Pipeline. Other outlets have him sneaking on to their top-100 lists, so that is an encouraging sign.
Grant Taylor could be one of the biggest pitching prospect risers in 2025 and has some of the highest upside among White Sox pitching prospects
— Owen Hurd (@Owen_FBB) January 24, 2025
FB/CU are both plus pitches, and he also has two above average secondaries with his CB/SL. Durability is still a concern, but when… pic.twitter.com/tY83MdEVNc
Since Taylor was drafted out of college, there is a chance that he flies through the minor league system if he continues to pitch like he has. At this rate, it is looking like the White Sox have three top line starters in the minor leagues, which is an embarrassment of riches. Taylor will be a fun prospect to watch this season, as he could start out at High-A and make his way to AA or AAA depending on how the season goes for him.
