2026 South Aspect Sox Prospect Vote: Spherical 24

[ad_1] The highest of the poll moved up one slot, giving everybody’s favourite mini-mite, Rikuu Nishida, that win. Nishida earned 18 of 60 (30%) votes:

Nishida made his first look in our Prospect Vote one 12 months in the past, when he completed twenty eighth.

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Previous No. 23s within the SSS High Prospect Vote2025 Nick Nastrini (21%)2024 Tyler Schweitzer (21%)2023 Tommy Sommer (13%)2022 Voting lasted solely 17 rounds2021 Bernardo Flores (36%)2020 Andrew Perez (50%)2019 Kodi Medeiros (37%)2018 Lincoln Henzman (43%)

Nishida turns into the second fourth proper fielder (and second straight) to advance, and the fifth outfielder total. We've superior 13 pitchers and 10 hitters to date within the voting.

Righty starter Riley Gowens had a powerful first poll, incomes six votes and ending fourth. Becoming a member of the poll this spherical is one other righthander, Juan Carela.

South Aspect Sox High-Voted White Sox Prospects for 2026 Braden Mongomery — 59% (Smith 17%, Bonemer 9%, Schultz 7%, Antonacci 3%, Adams/Carlson/McDougal 2%, Fauske/Oppor 0%)

Hagen Smith — 40% (Bonemer 28%, Schultz 18%, McDougal 5%, Antonacci 4%, Carlson 3%, Bergolla/Oppor 1%, Adams/Fauske 0%)

Caleb Bonemer — 47% (Schultz 34%, Antonacci 10%, Carlson/McDougal 4%, Bergolla 2%, Adams/Fauske/Oppor/Perez 0%)

Noah Schultz — 49% (Antonacci 25%, Carlson 11%, McDougal 7%, Adams/Bergolla/Oppor 2%, Perez 1%, Fauske/Lodise 0%)

Sam Antonacci — 41% (Carlson 25%, McDougal 20%, Bergolla/Perez 4%, Oppor 3%, Adams 2%, Fauske 1%, Diaz/Lodise 0%)

Tanner McDougal — 39% (Carlson 36%, Bergolla 7%, Adams 6%, Pallette 5%, Fauske 3%, Oppor 2%, Lodise 1%, Diaz/Perez 0%)

Billy Carlson — 52% (Adams 18%, Oppor 12%, Bergolla 9%, Fauske 5%, Lodise/Pallette/Wolkow 2%, Diaz/Perez 0%)

Christian Oppor — 24% (Murphy 20%, Adams/Fauske 16%, Wolkow 10%, Bergolla 9%, Lodise/Pallette/Perez 1%, Diaz 0%)

Shane Murphy — 34% (Adams 20%, Wolkow 13%, Fauske 16%, Bergolla 9%, Palisch 4%, Lodise/Pallette/Perez 1%, Diaz 0%)

Mason Adams — 43% (Wolkow 22%, Bergolla 11%, Fauske/Pallette 10%, Lodise/Palisch/Perez 2%, Diaz/Hodge 0%)

Jaden Fauske — 24.0% (Perez 23.5%, Hodge 13.4%, Bergolla 12.9%, Wolkow 8%, Pallette 5%, Diaz/Gonzalez/Lodise/Palisch 3%)

Jeral Perez — 20% (Umberger 15%, Wolkow 13%, Hodge 12.3%, Palisch 11.9%, Bergolla 11.4%, Lodise 7.3%, Pallette 6.9%, Diaz 2%, Gonzalez 1%)

Grant Umberger — 28% (Palisch 19%, Wolkow 13%, Bergolla 12%, Hodge 11%, Lodise 10%, Pallette 4%, Diaz 3%, Gonzalez/Larson 1%)

Mathias LaCombe — 41% (Bergolla 19%, Wolkow 17%, Pallette 7%, Palisch 6%, Gonzalez 4%, Hodge/Lodise 2%, Diaz/Larson 1%)

William Bergolla — 35% (Wolkow 20%, Pallette/Palisch 13%, Larson 6%, Diaz/Gordon/Lodise 4%, Hodge 2%, Gonzalez 0%)

George Wolkow — 38% (Pallette 22%, Palisch 12%, Gordon 8%, Lodise 6%, Gonzalez 5%, Batista/Diaz/Larson 3%, Hodge 0%)

Peyton Pallette — 38% (Palisch 13%, Lodise 11%, Gordon/Larson 10%, Gonzalez 8%, Batista 5%, Diaz 3%, Hodge/Mogollón 2%)

Blake Larson — 21% (Lodise 18%, J. Gonzalez/Palisch 15%, C. Gonzalez 11%, Gordon 10%, Batista 5%, Mogollón 3%, Hodge 2%, Diaz 0%)

Ky Bush — 24% (Palisch 19%, C. Gonzalez/Lodise 16%, J. Gonzalez 8%, Gordon/Batista 6%, Mogollón 3%, Diaz 2%, Hodge 0%)

Jake Palisch — 26% (Paez 21%, Lodise 19%, J. Gonzalez 13%, C. Gonzalez/Gordon 8%, Batista/Hodge/Mogollón 2%, Diaz 0%)

Jedixson Paez — 45% (Nishida 20%, Gordon 14%, C. Gonzalez/Lodise 8%, J. Gonzalez 4%, Mogollón 2%, Batista/Diaz/Hodge 0%)

Christian Gonzalez — 22% (Nishida 18%, Gordon 17%, J. Gonzalez 15%, Lodise 10%, Hodge 8%, Batista 5%, Mogollón 3%, Diaz 2%, Ziehl 0%)

Rikuu Nishida — 30% (Gordon 18%, J. Gonzalez 15%, Gowens 10%, Lodise 8%, Batista 7%, Hodge/Mogollón/Ziehl 3%, Diaz 2%)

Aldrin BatistaRight-Handed Beginning PitcherAge 222025 SSS Prospect Ballot rating 62025 excessive degree Winston-Salem (Excessive-A)Age relative to excessive degree -1.2 yearsOverall 2025 stats 2-0 ▪️ 7 video games (2 begins) ▪️ 14 IP ▪️ 5.79 ERA ▪️ 17 Ok ▪️ 7 BB ▪️ 1.429 WHIP ▪️-1.2 WAR

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Batista was our No. 6-voted participant in final 12 months’s ballot and prime righthander — after which catastrophe struck, as he began the third Sprint recreation of the season on April 6 after which was out greater than 4 months with a stress fracture in his proper (pitching) elbow. His return in late August was iffy, with three poor reduction appearances of 5. However he ended the season with a scoreless (two-inning) “opener” begin, which hopefully reverses the curse for 2026.

Juan CarelaRight-Handed Beginning PitcherAge 242024 Excessive Degree Birmingham (AA)Age relative to excessive degree -2.5 yearsOverall 2024 MiLB stats (Excessive-A/AA) 7-7▪️ 23 begins ▪️ 106 2⁄3 IP ▪️ 3.77 ERA ▪️ 114 Ok▪️ 45 BB ▪️ 1.238 WHIP ▪️ 1.5 WAR

Carela has largely flown underneath the radar since being acquired from the Yankees in on the 2023 commerce deadline. However he has pressured his approach into an more and more crowded rotation state of affairs at this level, punctuated by seven good begins for Birmingham to finish the 2024 season yielding a 3.58 ERA and 1.163 WHIP whereas being nicely underage for the extent. Simply as Carela was shifting nearer to Charlotte and/or doable MLB appearances, he blew out his arm final March and underwent TJS.

Reudis DiazRight-handed reduction pitcherAge 202025 excessive degree ACL (Rookie)Age relative to excessive degree -2.1 yearsOverall 2025 stats 1-1 ▪️ 1 SV▪️ 21 video games (4 finishes) ▪️ 27 2/3 IP ▪️ 2.28.ERA ▪️ 18 Ok ▪️ 8 BB ▪️ 1.084 WHIP ▪️1.2 WAR

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Who? You’re forgiven for being unfamiliar with an especially younger arm who hasn’t but gotten out of rookie ball, however our No. 77 prospect a 12 months in the past (then a starter, repeating the DSL and killing it) made a profitable adjustment Stateside. He’ll return to beginning in 2026, doubtless getting his ft moist in Arizona and getting a promotion to Low-A within the second half of the season.

Jacob GonzalezSecond BasemanAge 232024 SSS Prospect Ballot rating 92025 SSS Prospect Ballot rating 242025 excessive degree Charlotte (AAA)Age relative to excessive degree -3.3 yearsOverall 2025 stats (AA/AAA) 134 video games ▪️ 8 HR ▪️ 61 RBI ▪️ .232/.307/.345 ▪️ 17-of-20 (85.0%) SB ▪️ 48 BB ▪️ 86 Ok ▪️ .990 FLD%▪️ 3.1 WAR

After the unimaginable first half/terrible second of 2024, Gonzalez rebounded for a strong marketing campaign, the ultimate third of which got here in Charlotte. Nevertheless, his time in Charlotte, a hitter’s playground, was a big step again on offense. He’s on the cusp of the bigs however has created questions whether or not he’ll produce in any respect with the stick on the South Aspect.

Lucas GordonLeft-Handed Beginning PitcherAge 242025 excessive degree Birmingham (AA)Age relative to excessive degree -1.7 yearsOverall 2025 stats (Excessive-A/AA) 3-11▪️ 24 begins ▪️ 107 2/3 IP ▪️ 3.59 ERA ▪️ 116 Ok ▪️ 42 BB ▪️ 1.161 WHIP ▪️ 1.5 WAR

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Someway nonetheless, in finishing his third season as a professional, Gordon continues to be vastly underrated. All he has achieved is put up a profession 2.80 ERA whereas taking up a big workload every season. Certain, there’s no overpowering fastball there, however Gordon’s cup of espresso at Double-A (the place he vastly improved his ERA, 2.11 over 4 begins) signifies that he could evade the wall that softer tossers hit as soon as they're within the higher minors.

Riley GowensRight-Handed Beginning PitcherAge 262025 excessive degree Birmingham (AA)Age relative to excessive degree +0.3 yearsOverall 2025 stats 7-6▪️ 27 begins ▪️ 132 IP ▪️ 3.44 ERA ▪️ 151 Ok ▪️ 49 BB ▪️ 1.189 WHIP ▪️ 2.0 WAR

“Workhorse” will not be the sexiest attribute for a prospect, however it’s no chopped liver adjective, both. And Gowens is simply that, topping system starters with 27 begins, 132 innings and 151 Ks. And but one way or the other he has evaded the reward handed to 2025 wunderkind Tanner McDougal, regardless of some apparent similarities. He ought to get the decision to Charlotte to begin 2026 and be on the quick checklist, alongside McDougal, for first call-up for a begin within the majors.

Landon HodgeCatcherAge 192025 excessive degree Crespi Carmelite H.S. (Encino, Calif.)Scouting grades (40-80 scale) Hit 45 ▪️ Energy 40 ▪️ Run 50 ▪️ Arm 55 ▪️ Discipline 50 ▪️ Total 40

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This teammate of White Sox first-rounder (and SSS High Prospect Vote No. 7 participant) Billy Carlson made historical past just by being drafted (fourth spherical, No. 107 total). The very first choose of Day 2 of the draft was a considerably curious one, given MLB’s rating because the 164th-best expertise accessible within the draft and the presence of far more attractive abilities (as excessive as MLB’s No. 35 prospect) handed over on Day 1. Hodge has a killer arm (one other attribute he shares with Carlson) and has a strong hit instrument that’s extra common than energy.

Kyle LodiseShortstopAge 222025 excessive degree Winston-Salem (Excessive-A)Age relative to excessive degree -1.0 yearsOverall 2025 stats 28 video games ▪️ 4 HR ▪️ 10 RBI ▪️ .185/.319/.370 ▪️ 7-of-8 (87.5%) SB ▪️ 15 BB ▪️ 21 Ok ▪️ .954 FLD%▪️ 0.4 WAR

Final summer time’s third-rounder bought proper to work after the draft, reporting to Excessive-A and including one other third to what was already the longest (55 video games) season of his profession. Whereas that slash is tough, not less than practically a fourth (4 of 17) of the shortstop’s hits left the yard. Maybe in opposition to simpler competitors (or, possibly not), Lodise ran out a .329/.429/.667 slash in his final school season for Georgia Tech, with comparable energy, baserunning and bat self-discipline numbers.

Javier MogollónShortstopAge 202025 excessive degree Kannapolis (Low-A)Age relative to excessive degree -1.4 yearsOverall 2025 stats 51 video games ▪️ 5 HR ▪️ 19 RBI ▪️ .220/.347/.387 ▪️ 15-of-21 (71.4%) SB ▪️ 30 BB ▪️ 56 Ok ▪️ .971 FLD%▪️ 1.0 WAR

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An ascending star only one 12 months in the past, we have now to faucet the breaks a bit on Mogollón after a lackluster first full season of minors ball. Whereas nonetheless younger for his degree and managing to maintain his head above water in a brand new league each season of his profession, Mogollón’s plain hitting in Rookie ball fell off considerably with the Cannon Ballers. Nevertheless, how a lot of that was as a consequence of battling harm is undetermined, as Mogollón was shelved for what turned out to be the season on July 2.

Rikuu NishidaRight FielderAge 242025 SSS Prospect Ballot rating 28 2025 excessive degree Birmingham (AA)Age relative to excessive degree +0.3 yearsOverall 2025 stats 115 video games ▪️ 0 HR ▪️ 31 RBI ▪️ .273/.403/.308 ▪️ 40-of-52 (76.9%) SB ▪️ 75 BB ▪️ 69 Ok ▪️ .986 FLD%▪️ 2.6 WAR

What different testomony to Nishida’s flexibility can there be however to say in three years in our High 100, his main place has modified from left subject to second base to proper subject. You received’t discover a stranger profile within the White Sox system, as Nishida’s profile is one in every of excessive on-base capability and baserunning peskiness, on the expense of any energy in any respect. He was a seeming shoo-in for Charlotte in some unspecified time in the future final summer time, however stalled in Double-A.

Gage ZiehlRight-Handed Beginning PitcherAge 222025 excessive degree Somerset (Yankees AA)Age relative to excessive degree -2.7 yearsOverall 2025 stats (Low-A/Excessive-A/AA) 7-6 ▪️ 22 video games (21 begins, 1 end) ▪️ 107 IP ▪️4.12 ERA ▪️ 90 Ok ▪️ 19 BB ▪️ 1.262 WHIP ▪️ 1.4 WAR

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Ziehl was the return from the Yankees within the commerce deadline swap of Austin Slater, and primarily based on the nothing worth of Slater this commerce can’t presumably be a loss for the White Sox. The righty was a busy arm even earlier than the commerce, pitching at three ranges for New York and settling at Excessive-A for the White Sox. Pitching younger for his degree, Ziehl held is personal fairly nicely.

Previous South Aspect Sox Prospect votes

Spherical 24 of voting was the final of 2023 (we didn't do an precise wrap for the voting, however Jordan Sprinkle ended up being our remaining choose), and the total archive.