White Sox news and notes: Chicago inks veteran Michael A. Taylor

Pitchers and catchers report, the injury bug has bitten, the Ballers have new threads, and things can always get worse

There’s a lot to cover here in this week’s news and notes. Spring training has finally arrived, the Sox made a last-minute acquisition, there’s already an injury to report, Kannapolis unveils a new uniform, and Chicago might not have hit rock bottom yet. Did you get all that?

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Pitchers and catchers report to camp

Today marks the official start of spring training for the White Sox as pitchers and catchers have arrived at Camelback Ranch. This yearly tradition signifies the beginning of the journey toward Opening Day, offering fans a much-needed taste of baseball after the long offseason. For many, camp undoubtedly begins with conflicting emotions about what type of baseball we’ll see on the South Side after a record-breaking 121-loss season. I’m not sure it’s a good sign when fans have to request nametags on posts.

New manager Will Venable will attempt to lead this year’s squad, which features an interesting mix of veteran players like newly acquired Michael A. Taylor, eager to reclaim their glory, and prospects, such as shortstop Colson Montgomery, vying for roster spots. The next few weeks will be crucial for Chicago to assess their pitching depth, evaluate the young talent, and solidify their approach in yet another rebuilding season.

Fans should expect to see plenty of unfamiliar faces as the team begins to take shape. In addition to those on the active roster, a plethora of non-roster players will be in big league camp as well.

The position players will start to arrive over the next several days, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Monday, February 17. Be sure to check back often, as we will have all your spring training coverage here at South Side Sox!

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Sox sign outfielder Michael A. Taylor

Well, it feels about five seasons too late, as the Good Guys could have really used Taylor on, say, the 2021 team. I remember looking at the 2020 free agent list and thinking, “Man, this guy would be a great piece for the outfield!” In 2021, Taylor put up a 2.6 WAR and hit .244/.297/.356 with a .653 OPS and .992 fielding percentage. Having him in rightfield over Leury Garcia in Houston for Game 2 of the ALDS would have been nice on the eyes. But then again, we wouldn’t have the legend of Game 3. You win some, and you lose some, I guess.

The 33-year-old outfielder, known for his elite defense, comes to the White Sox after a disappointing offensive season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He slashed an uninspiring .193/.253/.290 in 2024, with a meager .543 OPS. However, his 11 defensive runs saved significantly boosted his overall value, contributing to a 0.9 WAR despite his offensive struggles. With the possibility of trading Luis Robert Jr. still looming and a glaring hole in right field, this low-risk, one-year deal for $1.95 million represents a sensible move for the White Sox.

Taylor’s primary value clearly lies in his defensive prowess, providing a much-needed upgrade in the outfield. While his offensive contributions are uncertain, his low salary minimizes the risk associated with the signing. This move allows the White Sox to address a crucial defensive need while maintaining flexibility in their long-term plans, potentially paving the way for a more significant outfield acquisition or allowing internal options to emerge.

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Prospect to undergo Tommy John surgery

Before a single player threw a pitch, GM Chris Getz announced yesterday in his meeting with the press that lefty Ky Bush would undergo Tommy John surgery today. The Los Angeles Angels selected the 25-year-old in Round 2 (No. 45) of the 2021 MLB Draft. The southpaw came to Chicago via the Halos in the 2023 deadline swap of Lucas Giolitio and Reynaldo Lopez. In the fall 2024 MLB Pipeline rankings, Bush slotted in as the Sox’s No. 11 prospect.

Bush made his big league debut for the South Siders last August. Over four appearances, he amassed a 5.60 ERA and 2.04 WHIP over 17 2⁄3 innings. Bush’s minor league performance was far more encouraging. He excelled in Double-A, pitching 80 2⁄3 innings with an impressive 2.12 ERA, striking out 24.6% of batters and walking only 10.1% in 14 starts.

With ample opportunity for young guys to make an impression this year, Bush will miss out, spending the entire 2025 season recovering from injury. He’s currently on the 40-man roster but will likely end up on the 60-day injured list to open up the spot for another player.

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Kannapolis gets new duds

The Low-A White Sox affiliate, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, will sport a new look in 2025. The Ballers released the details today on social media.

I’m not going to lie — that video is pretty awesome. The Kanny media crew knocked it out of the park with that one.

The players will wear the new threads on Southside Sundays. The jersey plays homage to Chicago’s home white jersey with black pinstripes, while the hat is reminiscent of the White Sox City Connect caps.

If you want to add some new baseball attire to your collection, this combo definitely has some swag.

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Was 2024 really as bad as it gets?

I’ll conclude today’s news and notes by briefly contemplating whether 2024 truly marked the nadir. Michael Baumann at FanGraphs astutely observed in his excellent piece this week that recovery from a significant downturn isn’t always a linear progression. This certainly rings true, especially for baseball rebuilds. While the on-field product and record-breaking losses last year may have painted a picture of unprecedented despair, it’s crucial to remember that progress doesn’t always mean things will automatically look up. It indeed COULD get worse, my friends. So, in the infamous words of Hawk Harrelson, “Sit back, relax, and strap it down.” Let me know what you think in the poll below. And happy spring training to all!

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