Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game.
Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is No. 3 in Chicago's system and No. 34 overall, figure to be the cornerstones of a strong future starting rotation. But they were paired together during a 3-1 loss to the Rockies' prospects as part of Sunday’s Spring Breakout contest at Camelback Ranch, much like they were doing in two Cactus League appearances while in big league camp.
Smith started Sunday, working two hitless innings and striking out one, while Schultz went hitless through the third and fourth with two strikeouts. It was Schultz who took the mound first in those Cactus League contests.
“It’s really cool,” said Smith, who threw 17 of his 30 pitches for strikes. “It’s cool to pitch on the same day as him.”
“We got a good thing going,” said Schultz, who fired 16 of his 22 pitches in the zone. “Next week we have three innings. So we’ll see if we are [again], but it’s fun coming in after him.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
According to Statcast, Smith topped out at 96 mph and recorded four swings and misses. Schultz hit 95.7 mph while incorporating six pitches, generating four swings and misses among his work.
This pairing of the game’s top two left-handed pitching prospects, per Pipeline, might not end in Spring Training, as Schultz, Smith and right-hander Grant Taylor, the White Sox No. 7 prospect who did not pitch Sunday, could be part of the same rotation in Double-A Birmingham to open the 2025 season. It’s their next collective step toward the Majors.
“Today was a good start for us,” Schultz said of the White Sox system as a whole. “It’s just great the bonds we have together on and off the field. It’s a big part in success.”
Meet the Montgomerys
They aren't related despite sharing the same last name, but shortstop Colson Montgomery (MLB's No. 39 overall prospect) and center fielder Braden Montgomery (No. 54 overall) showed off similar top-notch glove work Sunday.
Colson took a hit away from Adael Amador to open the fourth by ranging into the hole between third base and shortstop, then throwing across his body on the jump to make a perfect throw to first baseman Tim Elko. Braden saved a big inning in the fifth by making a diving catch on Bryant Betancourt’s line drive, stranding runners on first and third.
“I actually thought I was kind of late jumping to it,” Colson said of his play. “I had a good angle to the ball and I knew he was a pretty decent runner, so I had to just get it and throw it.
“To be honest, I didn’t see where Tim was, so kind of just threw it over in the general direction. It worked. You practice those all the time, though. I felt good.”
Basepath mass
With two outs in the fifth inning, Elko was hit on the hand by a Jack Mahoney pitch. He took a minute to get to first, as the crowd oohed and ahhed, but then quickly made his way to third on George Wolkow’s single to center.
That’s Elko, at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, and Wolkow at 6-foot-7, 239 pounds. It’s the White Sox version of the jumbo package on the basepaths.
Wolkow flew out to left fielder Sterlin Thompson at the wall to end the third inning, and his single registered a 114.8 mph exit velocity, per Statcast. And remember, he’s only 19 years old.
“Both of them are extremely large males,” said a smiling Colson.
“He’s electric,” added Colson of Wolkow, who he played with for the first time on Sunday. “He’s a very positive, high-energy guy. So it’s kind of cool to be around.”
Bullish on Bergolla
Who is William Bergolla?
For openers, he’s the Minor League infielder acquired from the Phillies in exchange for left-handed reliever Tanner Banks at the 2024 Trade Deadline. He’s also one of the slightly under-the-radar White Sox prospects to watch, according to director of player development Paul Janish.
“I don’t know if this is a total sleeper,” Janish said of Chicago's No. 16 prospect. “But he’s got a really unique defensive ability and skillset in a premium position.”
Bergolla, 20, started at second Sunday, making a slick fielding play and then flipping the ball to first base with his glove to nail Drew Romo. He also doubled, swiped third and scored a run, while showing seemingly effortless cool while applying the tag on stolen-base attempts at second. He’s already one of the better defensive infielders in the system.
Senior Reporter Scott Merkin has covered the White Sox for MLB.com since 2003.
Charlotte Knights 2025 Promotions Guide
⚾ 2025 First Half Promotions Guide & Tickets On Sale! From dazzling fireworks, to exciting new and returning promotions, we couldn't wait any longer to give you a preview of what's in store for the 2025 Charlotte Knights season! Get your tickets for the first half of the season HERE!
Truist Field's First Ever Drone Show Set for Saturday, March 29
CHARLOTTE, NC- The Charlotte Knights are prepared to light up the sky early in the 2025 season. On Saturday, March 29, directly following the Knights 6:05pm contest against the Gwinnett Stripers, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the first ever Drone Show above Truist Field will take over the night
Major College Baseball Action Returns to Truist Field This Spring
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights, will once again feature exciting college baseball action this year. In all, the Knights will host a total of two college baseball games in 2025. ANNUAL UNC VS. USC GAME IS BACK THIS YEAR The 2025 Charlotte Knights Collegiate
Charlotte Knights 2025 Second Half Promotions Guide
The second half of the season is starting off with one of our FAVORITE days of the entire year, and from there it's non-stop summer FUN! Tickets are on sale HERE, and trust us, you don't want to miss what we've got in store.
Knights Announce 2025 Coaching Staff Led by Manager Sergio Santos
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- In conjunction with the Chicago White Sox, the Charlotte Knights have announced the coaching staff under new manager, Sergio Santos. The Knights are set to open the 2025 season at Truist Field on Friday, March 28 at 7:04 p.m. against the Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A affiliate of
Santos Named Knights Manager for 2025 Season
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- Sergio Santos, who guided the Double-A Birmingham Barons to a Southern League Championship last season, has been named manager of the Charlotte Knights for the upcoming 2025 season. Santos, 41, becomes the 26th manager in franchise history and the fourth former Knights player to manage the
Single-Game Tickets for First Half of 2025 Season Now On Sale, 10 Exciting Promo Nights Revealed
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS FOR FIRST HALF OF 2025 SEASON NOW ON SALE Single-game tickets for the first half of the 2025 season at Truist Field are now on sale. Fans can purchase tickets by phone at 704-274-8300 or online at www.CharlotteKnights.com. A full 2025 schedule can also be found online at
Charlotte Knights Revamp Digital Display Experience with Daktronics
BROOKINGS, S.D. – November 6, 2024 – Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, has partnered with the Charlotte Knights baseball team to manufacture and install 10 new LED displays at Truist Field in North Carolina. These displays will be powered by Daktronics Show Control with Camino. The installation is slated
Knights Reveal Home Game Times & 19 Fireworks Dates for 2025 Season
2025 SEASON BEGINS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 28 The Charlotte Knights will open the 2025 season at Truist Field on Friday, March 28 against the Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves). The team’s 11th season at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte will be celebrated with the first of 19
Hurricane Helene Supply Drive Set for Thursday, October 3 at Truist Field
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- On Thursday, October 3 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Truist Field, the Charlotte Knights will partner with iHeartMedia Charlotte to collect critically-needed items for those impacted in Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene. All items collected at Thursday’s supply drive will support both Operation
CLT for WNC: Hurricane Helene Supply Drive at Truist Field this Thursday
Stop by Truist Field this Thursday as the Charlotte Knights and iHeartMedia Charlotte partner to host a Hurricane Helene Supply Drive from 7am-7pm to benefit Operation Airdrop and Next Level Disaster Relief.
Knights Fall in Season Finale to Mets 5-4 in 10 Innings
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- The Charlotte Knights wrapped up the 2024 regular season with a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to the Syracuse Mets on Sunday afternoon from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. The Knights battled back in the ninth, scoring two runs to tie the game at 4-4, but
Knights Drop Saturday’s Game to Mets, 10-3
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- The Charlotte Knights dropped game five of the six-game series against the Syracuse Mets by a score of 10-3 on Saturday night from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. RHP Touki Toussaint (3-3, 6.02) started the game for the Knights and was charged with the loss after
Knights Fall to Mets on Friday, 12-5
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- The Charlotte Knights dropped game four of the six-game series against the Syracuse Mets by a score of 12-5 on Friday night from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. The Knights scored three of the five runs in the top of the ninth inning. The two teams
Knights Sail Past the Mets on Thursday, 7-3
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- The Charlotte Knights scored early and late in Thursday’s 7-3 win over the Syracuse Mets in game three of the six-game series from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. With the win, the Knights now lead the series, two games to one. Making his team-high 22nd start
Quero Activated on Thursday
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- The Charlotte Knights announced two roster moves on Thursday, September 19. Catcher Edgar Quero was reinstated off Charlotte’s 7-day injured list today and is active for tonight’s game. The Charlotte Knights will play game three of the six-game series against the Syracuse Mets from Syracuse, NY with
Knights Win 9-8 on Wednesday in 10 Innings
(SYRACUSE, NY) – A two-run top of the ninth inning and a two-run top of the 10th inning propelled the Charlotte Knights to a thrilling 9-8 win over the Syracuse Mets on Wednesday night in game two of the six-game series from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. With the
Knights Fall to Mets on Tuesday, 15-7
(SYRACUSE, NY) -- The Charlotte Knights dropped the opening game of a six-game road series against the Syracuse Mets by a score of 15-7 on Tuesday night from NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, NY. Tuesday’s game was the start of Charlotte’s final series of the 2024 season. First baseman Tim
Knights Split Doubleheader with 'Shrimp on Saturday
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – The Charlotte Knights split Saturday’s day/night doubleheader against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, NC. The Knights earned a commanding 10-0 win in game one on Saturday, then dropped game two by a score of 2-0. In the first game, the Knights
Party Like It’s 1999 at Truist Field!
Professional baseball in Charlotte, NC dates back to 1892. Since that time, the Queen City has featured numerous Major League Baseball affiliates and four different Minor League Baseball team names. Teams such as the Charlotte Hornets, the Charlotte Twins, the Charlotte O’s, and the Charlotte Knights, have all helped make
Knights Fall to Jumbo Shrimp on Friday, 8-5
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- Outfielder Mark Payton launched a three-run home run, but the Charlotte Knights dropped Friday’s game to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp by a score of 8-5 from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, NC. With the loss, the Jumbo Shrimp now lead the series, 3-2. Jacksonville used a
Knights Sink the ‘Shrimp 9-4 on Thursday Night
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – A pair of home runs and solid pitching led the Charlotte Knights to a 9-4 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Thursday night in game four of the seven-game series from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte. With the win, the Knights tied up the series
Knights Fall to 'Shrimp in Both Games on Wednesday
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- The Charlotte Knights dropped both games of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, NC. The Jumbo Shrimp won game one by a score of 3-1, and then took game two by a score of 4-3. The Knights battled in
Knights Defeat the Jumbo Shrimp 6-2 on Tuesday
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) -- The Charlotte Knights opened their final homestand of the 2024 season, defeating the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 6-2 on Tuesday behind a pair of homers at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, NC. RHP Jordan Leasure (3-0, 3.68 ERA) took home the win after throwing one scoreless inning,
Burke Promoted to White Sox Tuesday
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – The Charlotte Knights announced four roster moves today ahead of the team’s 6:35 p.m. opener against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins) from Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, NC. RHP Sean Burke had his contract selected by the Chicago White Sox today.