Caleb Bonemer keeps giving the White Sox reasons to look at him differently.
The 2025 version of Bonemer was a runner first, swiping 29 bases in 37 tries over 107 games, mostly at Kannapolis. This season, the stolen-base volume has backed off - he’s 16-for-21 through 114 games - and there are a few clear reasons why.
More advanced battery work makes him harder to run on, speed isn’t meant to be the centerpiece of his game, and the organization is also trying to manage the wear and tear that comes with asking too much of a top prospect. On top of that, he’s doing plenty of damage with the bat.
Bonemer entered Tuesday night with 12 homers and 46 extra-base hits from last season, and he’s now up to 34 homers and 63 extra-base hits after going 3-for-3 with a three-run blast and two doubles against Rocket City. He’s hitting .274/.393/.587 with Birmingham, which pretty much tells the story: this is no longer about a player defined by speed alone.
The White Sox are also exploring ways to expand his defensive value. That includes time in the outfield, and not just any outfield spot - center field.
“We talked to him about playing some outfield. We brought it up to him last week and he was super open about it,” White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield told MLB.com Monday.
“By no means is he no longer an infielder. We see this as adding another tool in his bag.
And he’s super athletic. He’s capable of doing it.”
Barfield saw Bonemer in person this past weekend and watched the right-handed hitter leave the yard three times in four games. Doug Sisson, a special assistant to general manager Chris Getz, was also around the club last week and worked with Bonemer before games on reads and other outfield details while Bonemer continued his infield work.
After getting some reps in center field through the Barons’ season finale on Sept. 13, Bonemer will head to Glendale for the Arizona Fall League and keep working on both sides of the ball.
Birmingham’s 11-8 win over Rocket City was the headline act, and Bonemer wasn’t the only Baron who filled up the box score. Anthony DePino singled, walked twice, struck out twice and stole a base.
Colby Shelton finished 1-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout and a stolen base. Ryan Burrowes went 1-for-5 with a homer and two strikeouts.
James Taussig homered, singled and struck out three times. Samuel Zavala singled twice and walked twice.
Juan Carela worked 5 innings, allowing 6 hits and 6 runs, 3 earned, with no walks, 5 strikeouts and a homer allowed on 50 of 79 pitches for strikes.
The result pulled the Barons even with Rocket City at 27-25, leaving Birmingham a half-game behind Knoxville.
Elsewhere, Charlotte beat Memphis 8-2. Edgar Quero caught and went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Kyle Teel served as the DH in his first rehab game and finished 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout. Ryan Galanie was 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Drew Thorpe went 4.2 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs, both earned, with 1 walk, 3 strikeouts and 1 hit batter on 53 of 87 pitches for strikes. Chris Murphy made his first rehab appearance and threw 1 scoreless inning, allowing 2 hits with 1 strikeout on 14 of 25 pitches for strikes.
Winston-Salem topped Bowling Green 8-3, with Javier Mogollón going 4-for-5 and getting picked off/caught stealing. Kyle Lodise finished 1-for-3 with a homer, two walks and a stolen base.
George Wolkow was 1-for-5 with a double and two strikeouts. Jeral Perez went 1-for-5 with a strikeout.
Nick McLain homered, doubled, walked and struck out.
That win left the Dash and Hot Rods tied for first in the South Atlantic League North at 29-25, 2 1/2 games ahead of Greenville.
Kannapolis fell 7-6 to Hill City.
In Other News...
White Sox Deadline Regret Starts With 3 Missed Opportunities
The White Soxs deadline haul is already looking like the kind of move set that invites second-guessing, especially when the additions are lined up against the players Chicago might have targeted instead. Joey Bart, Luis Castillo, Huascar Brazoban and Brenton Doyle were supposed to help fill needs in a season that has demanded more stability than the roster has provided, but the early returns have ranged from underwhelming to unavailable.
What makes the evaluation sting is that the alternatives were not some fantasy-land upgrades, but realistic fits at comparable cost who have since offered more useful production or cleaner role certainty. For a club trying to piece together a better future while still managing the present, the missed chances at the deadline may matter as much as the names it did land, because the margin for error in a rebuild is often measured in the moves you do not make. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Rebuild Faces A Farm System Question Fans Cant Ignore
ESPNs Kiley McDaniel slotted the White Sox farm system 20th in his latest MLB rankings, a reminder that the organizations rebuild is still being judged not just by whats happening in Chicago, but by the talent pipeline behind it. The ranking, built from a Future Value-based system informed by FanGraphs evaluations, comes after a wave of player graduations and additions has kept the system in motion, with the club continuing to rely on young arms and position players to shape the next wave.
For a fan base watching every layer of the rebuild, the number is less a verdict than a snapshot. The White Sox still have prospects drawing attention for their performances and long-term upside, and their affiliates are supplying fresh game action that can alter the picture quickly. The challenge now is the same one it has been for a while: turning encouraging individual seasons into enough depth and impact to push that farm ranking higher before the standings in Chicago start to matter again. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Bonemer Is Giving The White Sox A New Reason For Hope
Caleb Bonemer keeps giving the White Sox another reason to think bigger about their next wave of talent. The top prospect has started taking reps in center field, a move designed to add versatility to his profile and potentially speed up his climb toward the majors. He even made his professional debut start there in a recent game, another sign the organization is willing to stretch his responsibilities while working him closely with coaches on the adjustment.
For the White Sox, the appeal is obvious. If Bonemer can handle a premium defensive spot, he becomes even more useful as a future option, much like Sam Antonacci earlier this season when added flexibility helped shape his path forward. The move does not guarantee anything on its own, but it does show the club is thinking about ways to make Bonemers rise smoother, faster and more valuable when the time comes. [Read more 🡒]