The Chicago White Sox are expected to call up two of their top pitching prospects, left-hander Hagen Smith and right-hander Tanner McDougal, from Triple-A Charlotte as the team looks for additional pitching help.
Smith, 22, was Chicago’s first-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Arkansas and is ranked as the organization’s No. 2 prospect by MLB.com. MLB Pipeline also ranks him No. 51 overall. He owns a 4.32 ERA over 20 appearances, including 14 starts, for Charlotte this season. He has struck out 87 hitters in 58 1/3 innings while issuing 40 walks.
Smith spent a month on the injured list before returning and has recently worked exclusively as a reliever. After walking three batters in his first relief appearance, he followed with five consecutive scoreless outings and eight strikeouts. His minor-league career with the White Sox includes a 3.88 ERA across 43 appearances, including 37 starts, over three seasons.
McDougal, 23, is ranked the Cubs’ No. 4 prospect by MLB.com. The 2021 fifth-round pick has recorded a 2.86 ERA in 15 appearances, including six starts, over 34 2/3 innings with Charlotte this season. He has 40 strikeouts and a 28% strikeout rate while walking 14% of opposing hitters. McDougal missed May and June because of an injury and has also recently been used in relief.
McDougal has a 4.45 ERA in 94 minor-league appearances, including 81 starts, across five seasons in Chicago’s system. His four-seam fastball has averaged 98.2 mph this season, while his mid-80s slider has been graded as a plus pitch.
The call-ups come after the White Sox played a 13-inning game against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, using seven relievers, before a difficult sequence in an 8-2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night. Rookie starter Noah Schultz logged only one out after Chicago manager Will Venable made a second mound visit in the first inning, having forgotten that pitching coach Zach Bove had already visited the mound.
David Sandlin, who had just been recalled, followed Schultz and threw 96 pitches over 5 1/3 innings. The White Sox reportedly plans to option both Schultz and Sandlin to Charlotte. Trevor Richards threw 25 pitches over 2 1/3 innings, while Erick Fedde used 15 pitches for a scoreless inning after both had also pitched the previous day.
Smith and McDougal began 2026 as starters but are expected to return to the rotation plans after the season.
The Chicago White Sox are expected to call up two of their top pitching prospects, left-hander Hagen Smith and right-hander Tanner McDougal, from Triple-A Charlotte as the team looks for additional pitching help. Smith, 22, was Chicago’s first-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Arkansas and is ranked as the organization’s No.