White Sox manager Will Venable informed reporters (including Mark Feinsand of MLB.com) on Tuesday that the team has finalized its season-opening rotation. Opening Day starter Shane Smith will be followed in some order by Sean Burke, Davis Martin and offseason signees Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde.
Mike Vasil’s bid for a rotation spot was unfortunately dashed by an elbow injury that’ll require Tommy John surgery. Venable confirmed this afternoon that lefty Sean Newcomb will pitch out of the bullpen. The Sox optioned Jonathan Cannon, meaning he’ll open the season at Triple-A Charlotte.
There aren’t any huge surprises. Newcomb signed with an eye towards competing for a rotation spot, but Chicago’s subsequent $1.5MM deal with Fedde made it likelier the southpaw would end up in the bullpen. Newcomb also had a shaky Spring Training, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) across 12 innings. Fedde worked 8 2/3 frames of three-run ball with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Kay was more or less locked into the rotation once he signed a two-year, $12MM deal to return from NPB. The former Mets’ first-round pick has also had the best camp of anyone in the group. Kay has allowed only four runs while leading the team with 15 strikeouts across 16 1/3 frames. His fastball has averaged 95.4 mph.
No one else in the rotation mix has had a standout camp. Smith was the obvious choice to start on Opening Day after strong rookie season. Fedde was one of the worst pitchers in MLB last year but is a year removed from a solid ’24 campaign divided between the Sox and Cardinals. Martin and Burke are fringe starters but performed better than Cannon did in 2025. They entered the spring ahead of him on the depth chart. Cannon’s fine but unexceptional Spring Training numbers (11 innings, five runs, 10:5 strikeout-to-ratio) weren’t enough to flip that.
The rebuilding White Sox have begun to incorporate some potential foundational pieces on offense. The pitching is still quite a bit behind, as this is arguably the weakest on-paper rotation in the American League. The Kay signing provides an interesting wild card, though, and the White Sox added a mid-level pitching prospect (David Sandlin) by taking on part of Jordan Hicks’ contract in a trade with Boston.
Sandlin was optioned early in Spring Training but would be in the mix for a midseason promotion if he shows well in Triple-A. Non-roster prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz probably have the highest ceilings of any pitchers in the organization. They each face questions about whether they’ll throw enough strikes to be mid-rotation or better arms and are looking to rebound from shaky ’25 seasons in the minors.
“this is arguably the weakest on-paper rotation in the American League”
I don’t know, this looks better than the Angels rotation, who still have Alec Manoah penciled in as the 5th starter.
Colorado says hold my beer…
If Colorado was in the AL, I’d be inclined to agree.
Oh man that is embarrassing.
Least projected WAR – FanGraphs Depth Charts
1 Rockies 6.9
2 Nats 8.4
3 White Sox 8.5
4 Cardinals 8.7
12 Angels 11.7
fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=SP
Wow this has Astros BELOW the Angels, how are Mariners 8th? Rangers 6th? The Twins have the 14th best rotation, better than the Mets? The A’s have a better one than the Guardians? There’s a lot of questionable ones here.
Astros
“There’s a lot of questionable ones here.”
I’ll ask you a question. And maybe you’ll be the first person to answer it
When your point of view disagrees with another point of view, how do you decide which is wrong?
@Astros Thats not ranking just rotations its ranking SP depth as a whole. Mets and Guardians dont have much depth. Astros also lack depth and have questions hanging over 2 important SPs, Hayden W. and Blanco.
“Astros also lack depth”
What a stupid statement
Not a bad place to start. No pun intended.
Whoa this is going to be rough. Drew Thorpe should be added for the second half. Schultz and Hagen Smith will get called up in the second half. Maybe the ‘27 rotation will be pretty darn good?
The White Sox AAA Charlotte rotation of Noah Schultz, Tanner McDougal, David Sandlin and presumably Hagen Smith could all be in Chicago as soon as the 2026 season and likely 2027 if there is one in MLB.
Drew Thorpe is also hopeful of returning from his April 2025 TJ surgery by mid-season. Power reliever Grant Taylor is currently on the Chris Sale/Garret Crochet “plan” and is also expecting to contend for a rotation spot next season.
Things are looking bright on the southside of Chicago with their bevy of high octane arms, bounty of high upside middle infielders that should include college SS phenom Roch Cholowsky in July, along with their pair of stud young catchers.
All the White Sox need is some OF reinforcements to pair with RF Braden Montgomery. The best news of all will be minority owner Justin Ishbia assuming the ownership reigns come 2030 or so to keep this young group intact while also having the necessary capital to add some premium free agents along the way…and maybe a new stadium to boot!
Remember when the White Sox had the number one farm system and had all these can’t miss prospects, Eloy, Cease, Moncada, Fulmer, Kppech, Giolito, Robert, Nicky two strikes, Rodon, Anderson…. And list goes on. The White Sox are a farm system for teams that actually don’t suck. They rebuilt for a decade for what? One BS playoff appearance and one real one?
It actually sucks, I like the White Sox but until they get some real owners, they will never be any good.
Rebuild 1.0 went from 2017 to 2020 and rebuild 2.0 will be 2024 to 2026/2027.
The last sentence saids it all.
This is about how I feel: not much now, but with hope for better on the horizon. If only we could say the same of the OF, Braden aside.
Aaron…love your positivity but please pump the brakes on thinking the faucet is going to open when Ishbia gains full control. Couple of points (counterpoints).
They had the highest payroll in the division in 2024 and won 41 games.
The Phoenix Suns have no expansive trophy case nor recent history of being contenders.
And, most importantly, as early as next year, do not think there is the strong possibility of some type of spending control or limitations in MLB? The thought of “new” ownership just walking in and out spending other teams for competitive advantage is likely to, at the very least, dissipate.
Lot of optimism here that Schultz and Hagen will progress. Last year was a slight backward step for Schultz in progression and Smith didnt improve either. Prospects are prospects…there are a lot of arms on the same line as them already contributing in the majors.
Arguably the worst MLB team to cheer for … owners to blame for a lot of it. 3 WS wins in 125 years. 11 postseason appearances …or an 8% annual chance to make the playoffs (consecutive years only 1x). Rays have been to the postseason 9x FWIW.
Never signed a player for more than $75m total. Built the worst new stadium (it has improved since it opened).
Note: I am a White Sox fan.
I think the stadium is great, upper deck is roomy, I like it up there, great sight lines to watch the game. I like the upper deck more than the baselines, you can get a broad view of the entire field. Best seats in the house for watching the game.
The concourse in the outfield is great too and the bleachers in centerfield are a good time. Its a loss for fans who like the upper deck like I do because you cant walk around the concourse during the game, too many empty seats and too many people moving down to the lower deck but thats their loss in my opinion. The upper deck is a better time.
Angels, Pirates, Rockies and Marlins would also want a word too
???? Pirates have been to the postseason 17 times. Won 5 World Series. Angels have won as many WS titles as the Sox since they (LAA) have been allowed in the AL in 1962.
Marlins have won TWO WS in 31 years. Rockies have been to as many WS as the Sox have been since 1959.
Get Mcdougle, Smith, and Shultz up immediately.
Burke gets roughed up in triple a and the.majors.
Davis Martin can fill the role of Mike Vasil.
Will Eric Fedde be back to way he was in 2024, or be terrible, like he was last season?
Do not bring any of those guys up at all in 2026.
Lot of uncertainty for 2027.
What if CBA changes and players, in exchange for some cap, get free agency in four years (or five) instead of six and are given time for anything lost in 2027? We could be looking at having guys for only a couple of season.
More to the point, if they are not ready for a contending team—stay away from the on the job training aspect until the cloud of the future lifts.
They’ll probably call up one or two of these guys at minimum.
Unless they are contending, why?
The bullpen will be tired by May with this rotation. Guru Bannister isn’t catching enough constructive criticism for pitching getting worse. Younger guys like Cannon/Burke/Davis aren’t being coached up to being at least solid starters. Grant Taylor is max effort throwing (and poorly) rather than dialing it back a little to pitch better. Hagen Smith is a walk machine. Schultz is also immensely hittable in minors. Whatever they are teaching isn’t effective if pretty much everybody young is subpar regardless of where they fall on the hype scale.
Ok? That’s more Ethan Katz rather than Bannister.
I have always like Anthony Kay from his time a while back as a top prospect. Decent fastball and always thought he could be a mid-rotation piece.
sounds like another long summer for the Southside
Lol
six postseasons in my six decades
Hypothetically, say they trade Smith for a nice package of prospects. Kay to the bullpen. Pass on Dominguez and the Hicks trade saves 36M over the next two seasons.
Burke
Martin
Cannon
Paez
Newcomb
With Kay, Murphy and Gilbert as LHRP. Leasure, Taylor and a spot for Wilkeman Gonzalez as RHRP.
Leaves a spots in the bullpen for a swingman, Duncan Davitt could have handled the role and a spot for Alberto.
Murphy and Gilbert can be optioned rotating with the other Murphy and Eisert. Gonzalez and Davitt can be rotated with Gowens and McCollough.
Wouldnt have to call McDougal, Smith or Shultz until late August, keeping their rookie status intact. Potentially have Thorpe and Bush to work with and can option Cannon, Martin and Burke to rest mid season.
Are the Sox that much better with Dominguez and Smith this season? I dont think so. Is Smith part of the top3 in ’28? Hagen Smith, Noah Schultz, Burke/McDougal/Thorpe is the ideal. If the offense is set, sign a starter or two in FA in ’28. Two seasons to fine tune the bullpen. 36M down the tubes if you ask me about it.
Most of your scenarios aren’t happening.
Thats what is fun about it in a way. If I hit on a call once in a while I feel good and it makes me happy. If I hit on them all I would feel patronized by the great intelligence and would quit all together.
Often my ideas are with hindsight, on the outside looking in. It’s a perspective that has its advantages and its disadvantages. Many ideas are with foresight and as you have alluded to, most fail to get an opportunity to bloom.
I honestly dont think I could do the job if I was in the position to do the job because for one, Id rather gamble on stocks and games than on people.
I do like strategy, I dont like leadership, I dont like subordination. Im sort of a consultant. I like to be divested of as much liability as possible.
That isnt to say that I dont like risk. I’d just prefer to blow myself up than somebody else with the decisions I make, if that makes any sense. I have a difficult time with letting people down.
I cant stand soiree’s. I don’t like people much. I do care about their wellbeing and in fairness, and in freedom and in choice. Often times you have to violate these ideals as a manager, especially as a middle manager. Im not good with that.
I can kinda understand what your saying
The hope is that guys like Kay, Fedde, and Martin pitch their way into some sort of trade value, and guys like Thorpe, Schultz, Hagen Smith, and Sandlin pitch their way into 2nd half promotions.