The White Sox haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard over the past few seasons, but if you’re looking for a reason to stay invested, look no further than the farm system. There’s real talent brewing beneath the surface in Chicago - and with five players landing on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, the future suddenly feels a lot more promising.
Among those top prospects, Braden Montgomery, Hagen Smith, and Noah Schultz have all earned invites to Spring Training - a sign that the organization is ready to start blending youth with experience. But one name missing from that list has raised some eyebrows: Caleb Bonemer.
Ranked No. 61 among MLB’s top prospects, Bonemer didn’t get the nod for big-league camp. On the surface, that might make sense - he hasn’t played above Single-A yet. But when you take a closer look at what the 20-year-old did last season, it’s hard not to wonder if he deserved a shot.
Bonemer was a force in his first professional season, putting together a .281/.400/.458 slash line with 10 home runs and 27 stolen bases across 96 games. That performance earned him Carolina League MVP honors - and it wasn’t just about the counting stats.
He led the league in on-base percentage, slugging, OPS (.858), and doubles (26). That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
Dig into the advanced metrics, and Bonemer’s profile gets even more intriguing. He was one of just six qualified minor leaguers last season to post an exit velocity in the 90th percentile while keeping his ground-ball rate under 30% and his chase rate below 20%. That’s a rare combination of power, launch angle, and plate discipline - the kind of skill set that front offices drool over in today’s game.
Yes, he struck out 101 times. But he also drew 75 walks, showing a mature approach at the plate and a keen eye for the strike zone.
He punished fastballs to the tune of a 1.003 OPS, though off-speed stuff gave him some trouble - just a .622 OPS there. Still, for a player in his first full season, that kind of split isn’t unusual.
It’s something to work on, not a red flag.
So why no invite to Spring Training? The White Sox may be playing the long game here.
Bonemer’s not expected to crack the Opening Day roster, and his MLB debut is likely at least a year away. But getting him into big-league camp - even just for the experience - could’ve been a valuable step in his development.
Especially when peers like William Bergolla Jr., who’s only a year older, are getting that opportunity.
Defensively, Bonemer entered pro ball with questions about his long-term fit at shortstop. But he answered the bell in 2025.
With soft hands and a strong arm, he held his own at the position and showed he can stick - at least for now. Still, given the White Sox’s depth at shortstop, a move to second base or third isn’t out of the question.
That flexibility only adds to his value in a system that’s suddenly rich with infield talent.
Bottom line: Caleb Bonemer is a name to remember. He may not be in big-league camp this spring, but his trajectory is clearly pointed toward the South Side. And if he keeps producing the way he did last season, it’s only a matter of time before he forces the issue.