Game threads: Twice the fun with White Sox at Rangers and Spring Breakout

The big leaguers are in Surprise while Chicago and Colorado’s prospects face off in Glendale

Happy Sunday! Today, we have double the fun and double the coverage. Not only do the Chicago White Sox big leaguers play the Texas Rangers, but the Spring Breakout will also feature some more baseball as well. Before we get started, let’s take a look at some moves.

The Joey Gallo Era didn’t last long in Chicago. Well, at least we don’t have to see him strike out three times a game now.

And the wait is over. The Sox have announced their Opening Day starter.

The righthander made his big league debut with the Chicago on September 10, 2024. Selected by the White Sox in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Burke’s journey to the majors included a standout performance at the University of Maryland. The 25-year-old has steadily progressed through the minor leagues, refining his four-pitch arsenal, including a fastball that operates at 94-96 mph and tops out at 99. In four appearances last season, he had an outstanding 1.42 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, including 22 Ks over 19 innings. This spring, so far, he has made three starts and has a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with six strikeouts in 8 2⁄3 frames.

Bryse Wilson and Jack Leiter will face off on the mound today. Wilson has appeared in three games thus far, but only with a total of eight innings. Wilson spent last year with the Brewers, where he was a solid arm for them, posting a 4.04 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 104 2⁄3 innings pitched. It could be better, but we will take anything we can get. The South Siders signed him this offseason, and the 27-year-old looks to make a contribution this year as a bullpen arm.

The second overall pick of the 2021 draft will be on the mound for the Rangers in Leiter as he looks to cement himself in that rotation moving forward. Although he made his MLB debut last season, things didn’t go as planned as he had an 0-3 record with an 8.83 ERA in nine games. He was up and down from the minor leagues throughout the season, and this year is critical in seeing how much of an impact he will make. The pressure is on for the 24-year-old.

Game time is at 3:05 p.m. CT. This contest won’t be televised on our end, but the Spring Breakout at least will. The Rangers will have their broadcast going, so we won’t fully be without video!

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The future is bright as the White Sox and Rockies star prospects take center stage in Spring Breakout

This afternoon, Camelback Ranch will play host to a tantalizing glimpse into the future of baseball as the Chicago White Sox and the Colorado Rockies compete in an MLB Spring Training Breakout matchup. This exhibition is designed to showcase the brightest young talents within each organization, offering fans a unique opportunity to witness potential future stars in action.

While Spring Training is typically a time for established veterans to tune up for the regular season, the Breakout game shines a spotlight on the minor league pipeline. For Chicago, this means a roster brimming with promise featuring 23 of their top 30 prospects. Notably, six of these players also find themselves ranked within MLB’s Top 100.

Leading the charge for the South Siders are a pair of highly touted left-handed pitchers: Noah Schultz (Chicago’s No. 1 prospect and No. 16 overall) and Hagen Smith (Chicago’s No. 3, No. 34 overall). Their presence alone makes this a must-watch event for fans eager to see their potential pair of future aces on the mound.

The talent doesn’t stop there. Catching depth is on full display, with backstops Kyle Teel (No. 2, No. 32 overall) and Edgar Quero (No. 6, No. 65 overall) on the roster. The middle infield and outfield will also be well-represented, with both Montgomerys, shortstop Colson (No. 4, No. 39 overall) and outfielder Braden (No. 5, No. 54 overall) rounding out a formidable lineup.

The southpaw Smith heads to the bump for the start. Fans will also get a look at a pair of youngsters in the starting nine, including 19-year-old Downers Grove native George Wolkow, who the Sox selected in Round 7 (No. 209) of the 2023 draft, and 20-year-old William Bergolla, who came over to Chicago in the Tanner Banks trade. Outfielder Wilfred Veras and Ole Miss legend Tim Elko round out the starting lineup.

For White Sox fans, this game represents more than just a spring exhibition. It’s a chance to witness the potential that could shape the team’s future for years to come. With a top 10 farm system loaded with talent, the Breakout game offers a tantalizing preview of what could be heading to Chicago in the next few years.

The Rockies will also showcase their top prospects, providing a valuable comparative look at the talent development within both organizations. Local product Ryan Ritter, the 24-year-old from Tinley Park, will start for Colorado at shortstop. If you want to know the rest of the lineup and how they’ll attempt to tame Chicago’s prospects, you’ll have to watch a video.

At its core, the Spring Breakout series celebrates baseball’s future and gives fans a reason to be excited about the next generation of stars. Tune in to Chicago Sports Network at 4:05 p.m. CT to watch.