GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox Minor League players were dressed and ready to represent. 

It wasn’t the entire system, of course. But a strong showing of their top-rated prospects had gathered at Sloan Park on March 15 for a Spring Breakout game against the Cubs. 

“Putting that lineup together was really exciting,” said Justin Jirschele, the Triple-A Charlotte manager and the White Sox manager for Spring Breakout. “There’s a lot of guys that are going to go to affiliates and hit at the top three [spots] that are in this lineup and hitting toward the bottom. 

“Top to bottom, it’s an exciting lineup. Guys on the bench are also exciting.” 

Rain, cold and hail in Mesa canceled this showcase, but the knowledge gained about these young players didn’t disappear. Here are three important facts concerning the White Sox system, which is ranked 20th by MLB Pipeline. 

Nastrini and Leasure might be a Dodgers' regret

Pitching coach Ethan Katz shared a conversation he had with Andrew Benintendi from early in camp, when the left fielder named Jordan Leasure (No. 18 prospect) as the most impressive hurler he faced during live BP. Leasure should be a darn-near lock to break camp with the team, and Nick Nastrini (No. 8) has made just as strong of a case. 

If the right-handers somehow aren’t in Chicago on Thursday, they won’t be far removed from a Major League opportunity. But they should be in Chicago. When Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly went to the Dodgers at the 2023 Trade Deadline, the White Sox received a potential closer in Leasure and a frontline rotation piece in Nastrini.  

“Actually, I've been more impressed than what I expected,” Katz said. “Just by how they’ve pitched, their professionalism, how they carry themselves. You'd think they'd been here up in the big leagues for a while.”

Montgomery gets the game

When Colson Montgomery, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 9 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, arrives in Chicago, he already has a marketable nickname thanks to hitting coach Marcus Thames. 

“I call him ‘Big Smooth’ because everything he does is nice and easy,” Thames said. “He’s a talented young man and just talking to coaches who’ve had him, he’s fiery out there and likes to get after it. 

“He’s really smart. He’s cerebral about the game.” 

Montgomery, 22, certainly has the skill set and athleticism to play second or third, but the left-handed hitter will be refining his craft at shortstop for the near future. He finished 3-for-20 (.150) over 13 games as a non-roster invite to big league camp, but the most important factor is Montgomery came out of this action healthy and with great experience. 

“Big Smooth” could be arriving in Chicago this season. As manager Pedro Grifol mentioned, the good ones dictate their callup time. 

“He’s a stud,” said first baseman Tim Elko, a fellow White Sox non-roster invite. “Just a great young talented player and obviously super smooth. Just a great kid as well. I’m excited to see what he’s got to come in the future.” 

Real pitching depth exists

Drew Thorpe (No. 3) and Jairo Iriarte (No. 9) immediately joined the White Sox prospect rankings after their acquisition from San Diego in the Dylan Cease trade. There has been a noticeable influx of young pitching talent, with the five such prospects ranked in the top 10 arriving after July 2022. 

“There is a lot to be excited about,” general manager Chris Getz said. “We’ve created some depth but not just standard pitching depth. We’ve got some guys that are going to be impactful Major League players. It’s becoming a longer list.” 

Ky Bush (No. 20) threw the ball well in big league camp and has seen an uptick in velocity. Jonathan Cannon (No. 11) once again has shown to be a consistent strike-thrower and a legitimate rotation candidate. 

Noah Schultz (No. 2 White Sox prospect, No. 50 overall) sits atop the pitching list. While he was not part of MLB camp, every Minor League start or live BP was an event. The southpaw possesses big league ability in the present but has a 65- to 80-inning target for 2024.  

Who was the last southpaw to get the Opening Day mound nod for the White Sox? 

A. José Quintana 
B. Chris Sale 
C. Carlos Rodón  
D. John Danks

• A hearty Mazel Tov to José Quintana, who officially became a United States citizen Wednesday. I did a story with him in 2017 where Quintana talked about how he became fluent in English, which included watching Jimmy Fallon to study the language -- and led to Quintana appearing on "The Tonight Show."

• New food options at Guaranteed Rate Field look interesting and enticing, as they do every year. But the White Sox always get rid of the things I like when I do buy food in the stands. Turkey burgers (no butter on the bread), healthy chicken salad sandwich, brisket quesadilla, omelets on Sunday -- all gone. I’m starting to take it personally. 

• I’ll be flying back to Chicago by the time you all read my next newsletter Tuesday, ending another 46-day odyssey and getting ready for Opening Day. My first sign Spring Training is ending: The expiration dates on my cottage cheese are in April. 

• It’s good to see spring football begin for the University of Michigan, who will be looking to defend its national title. Have I mentioned lately the Wolverines finished last season with a 15-0 record? 

• Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Goodyear, Ariz., on Litchfield Road gets my highest recommendation, especially if you like barbecue turkey.

“I don’t know what we were in the rankings, but there’s a different level of confidence in our defense right now, for sure. … It doesn’t really change anything for me, but there’s certain balls guys are able to get to and it’s like, ‘Damn, thank you.’” -- Garrett Crochet on the improved White Sox defense

“They’re all critical. They all serve a purpose for what we want to do. They all have a specialty, whether it’s come in and defend, run, pinch-hit, start and not hinder us in any way, finding a platoon split. You name it.” -- Grifol on making tough roster decisions

C. Rodón. 

All four of these pitchers have started on Opening Day for the White Sox, but it was Rodón in 2019 who was the most recent.

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