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.
Clippers Fall Short in Pitchers Duel
ALLENTOWN - The Columbus Clippers continued their series with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. After dropping the series opener on Tuesday, Columbus looked to avoid their first four-game losing streak since May of 2024. Clippers got on the board first. Micah Pries
IronPigs Score Early and Often to Take Series Opener
ALLENTOWN - For the first time since April of 2022, the Columbus Clippers returned to Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania for a series with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. IronPigs wasted zero time getting on the board, Gabriel Rincones Jr. singled home a run and Garrett Stubbs reached on catcher interference
Bats Too Much on Sunday For Clippers
A picture perfect Easter Sunday in Ohio's capital city saw the Columbus Clippers and Louisville Bats close out the first "Battle of I-71" series of the season. Will Brennan entered the game on an absolute tear, reaching base in every single game in the month of April, including 24 hits
Louisville Downs Clippers on Saturday
After putting up a season high 13 runs on Friday night, the International League West Division leading Columbus Clippers couldn’t keep their momentum rolling on Saturday afternoon at Huntington Park as the Louisville Bats surged to a 10-7 victory. Things looked promising early on. In the bottom of the first
Offense Explodes in Friday Night Victory
COLUMBUS - The calendar says April, but the temps felt like June as the Columbus Clippers hosted the Louisville Bats in front of 7,573 fans on Friday night at Huntington Park. The largest crowd of the season was treated to the highest run total of the season from the hometown
Bats Snap Clippers Home Win Streak
There wasn't a single cloud in the sky in Ohio's capital city on a beautiful spring Thursday afternoon as the Columbus Clippers and Louisville Bats faced off in the third matchup of their six-game series at Huntington Park. Clippers came into the game winners of six in a row at
Comeback Clippers Do It Again
A sunny, but cool Wednesday evening in the Arena District saw the Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats in the second game of their six-game series at Huntington Park. The Clippers were the first to hit the scoreboard. In the bottom of the third, Milan Tolentino reached on a walk.
Clippers Take Series Opener From Louisville
The wind was cold but the Dime-A-Dogs were hot as the Columbus Clippers opened a six-game series at Huntington Park with the Louisville Bats on Tuesday evening. Louisville didn't waste any time getting on the board. A single and a walk led to a sacrifice fly for Rece Hinds in
Woo Sox Win Seesaw Series Finale
WORCESTER - An unforecasted heavy snowfall overnight Friday of more than four inches blanketed Polar Park and forced the postponement of Saturday's matchup between the Columbus Clippers and Worcester Red Sox. Thankfully, a warm front that gave us a game time temperature of 44 degrees, was more than enough to
Brennan's Career Night Sails Clippers to Win Column
WORCESTER - A game time temperature of 44 degrees did nothing to cool the bats of the Columbus Clippers offense, or the arm of starter Doug Nihkazy, in a Friday night tilt with the Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park. Micah Pries led of the top of the second with
Messick is Money in First Triple-A Win
A brisk New England spring evening at Polar Park saw the Columbus Clippers and Worcester Red Sox face off in game-three of their six-game series on Thursday. Parker Messick, Zak Kent, and Andrew Misiaszek recorded a season high 16 strike outs combined on the mound in the 2-1 victory for
Worcester Wins Back-And-Forth Battle With Clippers
After taking game-one of the twin bill, the Columbus Clippers went for the sweep of the Worcester Red Sox on Wednesday night at Polar Park. Will Wilson homered in his first at bat in game-one of the doubleheader, he stayed in the yard in plate appearance number one of game-two,
Brennan Has A Grand Time in Game-One Win
With Tuesday's series opener postponed due to extreme cold in Worcester, the Clippers and Woo Sox faced off in a doubleheader at Polar Park on Wednesday afternoon. Will Wilson got the scoring started in the top of the second, blasting a 428 foot solo home run over the center field
Brennan Walks It Off for Columbus
The coldest game time temperature at Huntington Park since 2018, 40 degrees, saw the Clippers (6-2) and St. Paul Saints (2-4) close out their series on Sunday afternoon. Things were quiet on both sides until the top of the third. Ryan Fitzgerald doubled, Luke Keaschall walked, and Emmanuel Rodriguez gave
Cairo's Four RBI Lead Clippers to Big Game-Two Victory
After taking opener of the twin bill in walk-off fashion, the Clippers hosted the St. Paul Saints in game-two of Friday's doubleheader at Huntington Park. Columbus kept the momentum rolling from their final at bat in game-one, capitalizing on a St. Paul fielding error in the first. That early lead
Walk-Off Magic in Game-One of the Doubleheader
Spring in Ohio means a variety of weather options and after Thursday night's rain out, the Clippers and St. Paul Saints were set for a Friday doubleheader at Huntington Park, but once again Mother Nature had other plans, delaying the start of game-one for 95 minutes. The one hour and
Late Inning Offense Secures First Home Win of 2025
The first 70+ degree game of the year at Huntington Park saw the Clippers and St. Paul Saints battle in a scoreless tie late into the game on Wednesday night, with Columbus scoring in their final at bat to secure a 2-0 victory. Making his Triple-A debut, Clippers starter Parker
Clippers Shut Out in Home Opener
Baseball returned to Huntington Park on a crisp Tuesday evening as the Clippers opened up their 2025 home slate, welcoming the St. Paul Saints to the Capital City for Tansky Tuesday Dime-A-Dog Night. The dogs were hot but the bats were cold as Columbus was shut out, 5-0. Clippers starter
Clippers Drop Series Finale to Toledo
The Columbus offense battled back late on a gloomy Sunday afternoon in northwest Ohio, but came up just short, dropping the series finale to the Toledo Mud Hens, 6-5. Toledo came out firing in their first at bat, loading the bases before recording an out. Justyn-Henry Malloy remained a thorn
Big Third Inning Sails Columbus to Second Win
It was an odd one at Fifth Third Field today for the Columbus Clippers, who came away with a 7-6 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens. Seven runs on five hits in the third inning was all the ClipShow needed, moving to a 2-0 in the 2025 campaign. Mud Hens
Clippers Open the 2025 Campaign with Victory
The 47th season of Columbus Clippers baseball got underway on Friday afternoon at Fifth Third Field against the Toledo Mud Hens, with the ClipShow picking up the victory, 8-5. Opening Day starter Doug Nikhazy surrendered a solo home run in the first to Jace Jung, but retired Toledo in order
Guardians & Clippers Announce Opening Day Triple-A Roster
COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Clippers Opening Day roster has been finalized by the Cleveland Guardians for the International League schedule beginning this weekend. Thirteen players on the active Opening Day roster will be making their return to Columbus, joined by twelve up-and-comers set to make their debut at the
Accomplished Durham Bulls GM to Lead Columbus Clippers
Following a national search, the Columbus Clippers Board of Directors has selected minor league baseball veteran Tyler Parsons as the team’s new president/general manager. Parsons joins the Clippers after serving as general manager of the Durham Bulls for the past two seasons. He has been a general manager in the