Youth Movement Ahead: Projecting The White Sox Bullpen

The White Sox currently have a ton of guys in Spring Training. By the end of March, they will have to trim down almost 40 guys to get to their 26 man roster to open up the season. Most years there are a few spots open on the team for a non-roster guy to make it, however, this year is a bit different.

At this point, there seems to be an infinite number of combinations that the White Sox could open the season with, as they could prioritize the younger players earlier in the season, they could have a combination between young players and veterans, or they could lean on the veterans to start, giving themselves an opportunity to be traded at the deadline.

While ensuring the development of the younger players is the most important task for the White Sox this year, it doesn't necessarily have to come in the major leagues. If a young guy is not going to start or get consistent at-bats in the majors, it is better that he doesn't make the team so he can get those at-bats in AAA. A last off the bench bat may be better suited for a veteran if their playing time will be sparse. It is significantly harder to develop if you aren't getting playing time, so that needs to be the priority for the White Sox in making their roster decisions.

Earlier we took a look at what the rotation could look if they prioritized the young arms. Now, let's take a look at what an Opening Day bullpen could look like for the White Sox if they decide to prioritize youth over the veterans.

Under the MLB rules, they can only have 13 pitchers on the roster at a given time. So that means five starters and eight guys in the bullpen.

The bullpen has the most non-roster invites, as there is a ton of turnover year to year at the position. This is no different for the White Sox, but they have some young guys that seem to be ready to make the jump to the MLB.

Since Bryse Wilson was signed to a major league deal, we will assume he makes the team in some capacity. In this projection we will have him in the bullpen. The bullpen could fill out like this:

(R) Bryse Wilson

(L) Trey McGough

(R) Jordan Leasure

(R) Shane Smith

(R) James Karinchak

(R) Prelander Berrora

(L) Cam Booser

(L) Brandon Eisert

This bullpen would be refreshing, as it would feature guys without a ton of major league experience. Leasure is only 26 and showed plenty of potential last year, as he was their best reliever for the first two months or so of the season.

Trey McGough was acquired in the Eloy Jimenez trade and had a 1.98 ERA in AAA as a reliever last year. Just 26, he would make his major league debut if he were to make the team.

Trey McGough for AAA Charlotte tonight:

2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, (H)

2024 Stats (AA+AAA):

58.1 IP // 60 K // 1.85 ERA // 0.94 WHIPpic.twitter.com/IjF3JhnPFZ

— Tyler Cenko (@BryanKeBryan) August 7, 2024

Shane Smith was the Rule-5 draft pick of the White Sox last year and is only 24. Over 94 innings in the minors last year, he had a 3.34 ERA.

#ProDeacs Spotlight - Pitcherd (Day 3/4)

Shane Smith - MIL (AA/AAA)
94.1 IP, 3.05 ERA, 113 K, 2.91 FIP, 29.6% K%, 1.05 WHIP, .204 BAApic.twitter.com/9hKJ44UExh

— Wake Forest Baseball Analytics (@Wake_Analytics) October 5, 2024

Prelander Berroa has a ton of potential is only 24, but now may be out for the season, as he hurt his elbow in yesterday's game. If it was a precautionary move, he would be a great addition, as he could the closer of the future for the White Sox.

Brandon Eisert is 27 and was recently claimed off waivers. He throws from a funky lefty arm slot and is able to deceive hitters. He had a nice 1-2-3 inning in the game yesterday, making his case for the Opening Day roster.

Rays acquired LHP Brandon Eisert (27) from TOR this week. Soft tossing lefty who has a strong career 29 K% in the minors.

FB, SL, CH mix and has options. He throws from one of the widest (towards first base side) release points in baseball: pic.twitter.com/sks3gHjh46

— Rays Metrics (@RaysMetrics) January 25, 2025

The rest of the guys, Cam Booser, Bryse Wilson, and James Karinchak would balance out the younger guys, as Wilson and Karinchak both have significant major league experience. Booser is older but had a great debut season with Boston last year, so the White Sox should be interested in seeing what he can do.

This would be a very nice bullpen and Chris Getz should not have anyone already penciled in. The bullpen competition should be an absolute dogfight, as it was the worst unit in the MLB last year by far. If the White Sox want to win more than 45 games, they must pick the right guys for the bullpen.