The White Sox’s full-season affiliates wrapped up their 2026 regular seasons on Sept. 6, and Kannapolis got the last word in emphatic fashion. The Cannon Ballers finished with a 14-3 win over Delmarva, closing the book on a 71-61 season. Their best stretch came after the break, when they went 38-28, but even that wasn’t enough to catch Hickory, which surged through the Carolina League South Division at 48-17 in the second half.
Winston-Salem’s season ended with a loss, but not without a little footnote history attached to it. The Dash dropped a 12-4 decision to Rome and did not win the second-half championship over Bowling Green, though their playoff spot - and their lack of home-field advantage - had already been settled.
Even so, they still carved out a notable line in the South Atlantic League record book: they became the first SAL team since 2014 to go an entire season without being shut out. Winston-Salem finished 73-58, its best record since joining the league in 2021.
At the big-league affiliate level, Charlotte fell 5-2 to Gwinnett. Ryan Galanie singled and struck out three times, while Junior Pérez went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.
On the mound, Noah Schultz worked 4 innings and allowed 2 hits and 1 run, with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts on 35 of 56 pitches for strikes. Chris Murphy followed with a clean inning, giving up 1 hit and striking out 1 on 10 of 12 pitches for strikes.
Tanner McDougal added 1 inning, allowing no hits or runs, walking none, striking out none and hitting a batter, while throwing 12 of 17 pitches for strikes.
Birmingham was overwhelmed by Biloxi, 12-1. Caleb Bonemer and Colby Shelton each went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Ryan Burrowes finished 2-for-4 and stole a base, and Samuel Zavala drew two walks in two plate appearances while going 0-for-2. Mathias Lacombe threw 0.2 innings, allowing 1 hit and no earned runs with 1 strikeout, but all three inherited runners scored.
Seth Keener lasted 0.2 innings as well, surrendering 3 hits and 5 runs, with 4 walks and 1 strikeout while throwing 18 of 38 pitches for strikes.
Winston-Salem’s loss to Rome included a mixed night at the plate. Javier Mogollón went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts, Kyle Lodise was 0-for-5 with a strikeout, and James Taussig and Jeral Perez both finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Nick McLain had the best line among the hitters, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a strikeout. Braden Holcomb also collected two hits in four trips, adding a strikeout.
On the mound, Blaine Wynk worked 2 innings, allowing 2 hits and 3 runs, with no walks, 2 strikeouts and 1 home run allowed, while throwing 24 of 36 pitches for strikes.
Kannapolis’ big finish was fueled by Alexander Albertus, who put together the loudest line of the day: 4-for-5 with a homer, a double, 4 runs scored and 6 RBIs. Jaden Fauske went 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts, Matthew Boughton was 0-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout, and Christian Gonzalez went 1-for-5.
In Other News...
Former White Sox Arm Abruptly Walks Away At 28
Jacob Heatherlys brief run in the White Sox organization looked like a fresh start when he signed a minor league deal in January and opened the season with solid work in Double-A Birmingham. The left-hander had enough early success to put himself back on the radar, but the season turned once his command slipped and Chicago moved on, releasing him on July 23.
Heatherly then made the sudden decision to step away from the game entirely, announcing his retirement from professional baseball on Sept. 8 at just 28. His career spanned seven minor league seasons, leaving him with a 14-17 record, a 5.45 ERA and 285 strikeouts across 213 innings, a reminder of how quickly a pitchers path can shift from opportunity to closure. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Could Gamble On Risky Rotation Fix This Winter
The White Sox are still searching for ways to shore up the front of their rotation after adding Luis Castillo, and the offseason pitching market could push them toward a more aggressive swing. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa recently connected Chicago to free agent right-hander Freddy Peralta, a name that fits the kind of affordable upgrade the club may have to consider if it wants to keep improving without overcommitting long term.
Peralta is the sort of arm that can make a front office pause and then think again. His recent results have been uneven, but the track record is strong enough to keep him on the radar as a high-risk, high-reward target for a White Sox team still looking for reliable starting help. If Chicago decides to bet on upside this winter, this is the type of move that could define the rotation conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Colson Montgomery Has One Flaw The White Sox Can't Ignore
With less than three weeks left in the regular season, the White Sox have built a two-game lead over the Guardians in the AL Central and can see the division race tightening around them. One of the biggest reasons they have stayed in front is the emergence of Colson Montgomery, who has given Chicago real middle-infield power in his first full major league season while also forcing pitchers to respect the bat in a way few shortstops can.
Montgomery leads all shortstops with 31 home runs, but his swing-and-miss issues remain just as visible as the pop, with an AL-high 197 strikeouts and a .212/.292/.437 line. For a White Sox team trying to hold off Cleveland and make a postseason push, the question is no longer whether Montgomery can change games, but whether his plate discipline can improve enough to make that impact more sustainable when the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]