As pitchers and catchers arrive in Glendale, Arizona for Chicago White Sox spring training, General Manager Chris Getz is eager to monitor several players’ progress ahead of the new season. This period is crucial for evaluating reliever Grant Taylor, second-year players Shane Smith and Mike Vasil, as well as promising prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz, all gearing up for an important camp.
Getz expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory while speaking at Camelback Ranch, highlighting the valuable opportunity to focus on future goals with the full group present. Manager Will Venable is emphasizing a fresh start as the team builds toward Opening Day, reflecting ambition balanced with a realistic approach to improvement.
We feel really good about the direction we’re headed,
Getz said Monday.
And to get everyone in this building right now, working towards what we want to accomplish here in the future, is really valuable, and rewarding, and exciting for the next steps for the Chicago White Sox.
We feel really good about where we’re at, the room is excited, they’re hungry,
Getz added.
But we’ve got to go out and play good baseball and that’s why we’re out here at spring training, to really set the stage for that.
Remaining Catcher Roles a Central Focus This Spring
Last season, Edgar Quero led the White Sox catchers with 66 starts after his call-up from Triple-A Charlotte in mid-April. Close behind him was Kyle Teel, who played 57 games behind the plate following his June promotion. Balancing their workloads will be a critical task as Chicago seeks to keep players healthy and productive throughout the long campaign.
The team also gained depth at catcher when Korey Lee was recalled from Charlotte, creating more flexibility in how these players can be positioned. Later in the previous season, the White Sox often paired Quero and Teel in the lineup by alternating catching duties and designated hitter roles, which helped distribute the physical toll of the position.
The catching position is very demanding, physically, mentally, everything that goes into it,
Getz explained.
To be able to have different options to keep our guys productive and healthy throughout the season is really important. When you’re talking about those three catchers, these are guys that complement each other.
Obviously, more playing time, more reps behind the plate and at-bats is beneficial, but most importantly you want to keep these guys healthy and productive. So to have different options is a good thing.
Teel will miss part of spring training while representing Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but Getz assured that the team has planned for his absence.
You come out to spring training, these guys are going to be able to get a lot of different work in,
Getz said.
You’ve got games in the backfield, you’ve got split-squads. So we’ll be able to balance the attack so everyone feels like they’re ready to go come opening day.
Rotation Depth and New Additions Shape Pitching Prospects
One of last spring’s highlights was Shane Smith, who secured a rotation spot and continued his strong performance into the regular season, earning an All-Star nod. This upcoming year, Smith hopes to build on that momentum amidst some changes in the pitching staff.
The rotation will feature returning pitcher Davis Martin, while Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon work to establish consistency after varied results last season. The club also signed Anthony Kay to a two-year contract; Kay spent the past two years pitching in Japan and brings valuable experience.
Additional left-handed options include Sean Newcomb, who joined via a December one-year deal, and Chris Murphy, acquired from the Boston Red Sox in an offseason trade. A subsequent deal with Boston in early February brought pitchers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to Chicago, further boosting depth.
Chicago is also managing the recoveries of pitchers like Drew Thorpe while watching young talents Noah Schultz, Shane Smith, and Tanner McDougal continue their developmental path.
We feel that we’ve been able to bring in a fair amount of depth — whether it be guys that are coming back here, some outside additions through trade, some free agents,
Getz remarked.
We know navigating a full season takes a lot of pitching, starting pitching and relievers. We’ve got some versatility in there.
We’re always going to look for opportunities to add. We’ve got a young group of pitchers that, it’s a heavy load to get through a full season. It gives us a little bit more flexibility when you’ve got some arms that come into an organization that have done it before.
In line with maintaining pitching strength, the White Sox reportedly signed Erick Fedde to a one-year contract pending a physical, underscoring ongoing efforts to reinforce the staff.
Outfield and Infield Versatility Highlighted by Luisangel Acuña
Luisangel Acuña, acquired in the January trade sending former center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets, is expected to play a significant role in center field while offering positional flexibility. Acuña’s ability to contribute in multiple areas makes him a valuable asset for Chicago’s roster dynamics.
He can play all over the diamond,
Getz noted.
He’s a strong defender, baserunner, switch-hitter. He can do a lot of different things to help you win.
Acuña’s utility extends beyond the outfield, with previous major league appearances at second base, third base, and shortstop. This adaptability opens roster possibilities and tactical options for the White Sox throughout the season.
He’s going to play a fair amount of center field out here,
Getz stated.
But we are not closing the door on the infield, either (having made starts at second, third and shortstop in the majors).
He’s a guy that happens to have the ability to play everywhere, so he certainly is a guy to keep an eye on.
Looking Ahead: Building Momentum for the Season Ahead
The Chicago White Sox enter spring training balancing promising young talent, new acquisitions, and ongoing recovery from injuries with the goal of developing a versatile and competitive roster. With key contributors like Shane Smith seeking improvement and catcher duties shared strategically among Edgar Quero, Kyle Teel, and Korey Lee, the team aims to maintain health and maximize production.
Additional pitching reinforcements, including Erick Fedde’s signing and the integration of new arms such as Anthony Kay, Jordan Hicks, and David Sandlin, offer depth necessary to endure the demands of a full season. Meanwhile, Luisangel Acuña’s versatility in the field enhances lineup flexibility heading into the campaign.
The steps taken in spring training will set the tone for Chicago’s ambitions in the year ahead, with the organization’s leadership committed to preparing the team thoroughly for a competitive season.
