🚨 WHITE SOX LOOK TO SURPRISE IN 2026: CAN CHICAGO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS WITH A YOUNG CORE AND BOLSTERED BULLPEN?👇

Spring Training is here, and for many Major League Baseball teams, it’s a time of renewed hope and fresh beginnings. For the Chicago White Sox, that optimism is palpable as they look to bounce back from a disastrous 60-102 campaign in 2025. With many experts doubting their potential, the White Sox are setting the stage for what could be a surprisingly strong 2026 season.

Most sportsbooks have set the White Sox’s win total at 66.5 games, signaling the low expectations surrounding the team. Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA model forecasts the White Sox to win 69 games, ranking them last in the AL Central. While expectations for a division title are slim, there’s a growing sense that the White Sox could overperform and surpass their projected win total.

A Young Core on the Rise

One of the key reasons for optimism is the White Sox’s budding young core. Players like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Edgar Quero are the future of the team, and the development of these prospects could lay the groundwork for an unexpectedly strong season. Montgomery, a top prospect in the organization, is poised to make an impact, and the inclusion of these young talents in the everyday lineup could provide the White Sox with a fresh infusion of energy and production.

Adding to this optimism is the fact that the AL Central remains one of the weakest divisions in baseball. PECOTA has the Kansas City Royals projected to win the division with just 85 wins, and the Detroit Tigers are also expected to hover around 80 wins. This gives the White Sox a legitimate chance to improve and make a push for a higher win total, even if a division title remains out of reach.

A Reworked Bullpen: Turning Close Games into Wins

Perhaps the biggest obstacle the White Sox faced in 2025 was their struggling bullpen. The team blew 24 saves and converted only 51% of save opportunities, leading to a staggering 36 one-run losses. These missed opportunities cost the White Sox dearly and contributed to their inability to stay competitive in many close games.

This offseason, GM Chris Getz addressed the bullpen’s shortcomings by adding key pieces like Serantony Dominguez, Sean Newcomb, and Jordan Hicks. Dominguez, in particular, is expected to be the White Sox’s closer, something that the team sorely lacked in 2025 when manager Will Venable had to rely on eight different arms to secure saves. Newcomb brings much-needed left-handed depth to the bullpen, and Hicks offers versatility with the ability to hit triple-digits on the radar gun.

Along with promising young arms like Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, and Mike Vasil, the bullpen now has a much stronger backbone to close out games. If the White Sox can convert more save opportunities and protect late leads, they’ll have a much better chance of pushing past their win projections.

A Rotation with Depth and Potential

The White Sox’s starting rotation has received a modest boost through strategic offseason moves. They reunited with veteran pitcher Erick Fedde on a one-year deal to provide depth and reliability, and they signed KBO standout Anthony Kay to a two-year contract, hoping his overseas success can translate to MLB performance.

Shane Smith, fresh off a breakout All-Star rookie campaign, is expected to build on his success, while Davis Martin’s strong 2025 performance (near-46% groundball rate) has provided the team with another solid option. Together, this group gives the White Sox rotation more depth than it had last season, potentially stabilizing the starting staff and providing the bullpen with more opportunities to close out games.

Offensive Additions: Power and Protection in the Lineup

On the offensive side, the White Sox took a hit by trading away Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets. However, the team acquired infielder/outfielder Luisangel Acuña, who showed flashes of power in the Venezuelan Winter League, slashing .282/.397/.542 with 8 HR in 39 games. Acuña, now with a full-time opportunity in Chicago, could provide more value than his 2025 WAR suggests, especially in the hitter-friendly South Side environment. If Acuña can build on his winter league success, he could become a key piece of the White Sox offense.

The addition of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami on a two-year, $34 million deal is another high-upside move that could pay dividends. Murakami, the NPB home run leader, is expected to provide immediate thump in the middle of the order, giving the White Sox a much-needed power bat. Austin Hays, signed to a one-year deal, rounds out the team’s outfield and brings a solid bat to further bolster the lineup.

Farm System: Building for the Future

The White Sox also have a promising crop of prospects in the farm system. Sam Antonacci is making a case for a roster spot, and power arms like Tanner McDougal, Hagen Smith, and Noah Schultz could make their MLB debuts at some point in 2026. This depth in the farm system provides the White Sox with insurance in case injuries strike the major league roster, ensuring they won’t bottom out like they did in 2025.

The Case for Betting the Over

While the White Sox didn’t make any blockbuster moves this offseason, their strategic, cost-effective acquisitions raise the floor for the team in 2026. If the new bullpen pieces click in high-leverage situations and the rotation stays healthy, the White Sox could surprise people and push past PECOTA’s modest 69-win projection. With the betting line set at 66.5, there’s a compelling argument to bet the over. The AL Central remains a weak division, and the White Sox have a talented enough roster to outperform their projections.

Ultimately, while the White Sox’s chances of contending for a division title are slim, there’s plenty of room for improvement. With a revitalized bullpen, a deeper rotation, and a lineup that now features a mix of established veterans and promising newcomers, the White Sox could be poised for a bounce-back season that exceeds expectations. So, if you’re looking for a team with potential upside in 2026, keep an eye on the South Side. The White Sox might just surprise the doubters.