The Chicago White Sox, surprisingly, head out of the All-Star break leading the American League Central in a season that most thought would be a rebuilding year. Now in contention, Chicago could look to bolster their roster to make a playoff run deep into the fall. While the White Sox lack any real holes on their team, here are three prospects likely to get called up after the All-Star break.
Drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2024, Hagen Smith has worked his way up through the White Sox minor league system. Now in AAA, the starting pitcher is waiting for a call-up to the majors, with the second half of 2026 as a likely arrival time. With fellow first-round pick Noah Shultz already in the rotation, Chicago could look to add another injection of youth and strike-throwing.
The former first-round pick is 0-5 this season in AAA with 14 games started for the Charlotte Knights. In those 14 games pitched, Smith has a 4.67 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 36 walks. While he has shown flashes of dominance this season, his control issues have contributed to his ERA and walk totals.
Currently recovering from a left shoulder impingement, Smith is sidelined from pitching for the near future. With a ramp-up period after the initial two-week shutdown, Smith likely will not start again for Charlotte until the end of July. This would put a potential major league call-up near the end of the season, potentially when rosters expand in September.
MLB Pipeline Chicago White Sox Top 30 Prospect Ranking: 3
Projected Majors Debut: September Expanded Roster
Another pitcher likely to get the call-up to the majors in the second half of 2026 is Tanner McDougal. The former fifth-round pick in 2021 has worked his way through the White Sox minor leagues and is now in AAA. While he went through the minors as a starting pitcher, he has been working as a reliever since returning from injury in early July.
In his nine games pitched, with six starts, McDougal sports an 0-1 record in AAA. The Knights pitcher has posted a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings pitched, with 32 strikeouts and 16 walks. This is an improvement on his 2025 season in AA, where he had a 3.23 ERA in 15 games.
Much like Smith, McDougal is recovering from an injury, which has kept him out of action for all of May and June. Since returning from injury, he has made several rehab outings as a reliever. With a bullpen struggling to hold leads and close games, McDougal is most likely of these three prospects to see the majors in 2026. Bringing him out of the bullpen would help protect his arm before stretching out as a starter for the 2027 season.
MLB Pipeline Chicago White Sox Top 30 Prospect Ranking: 5
Predicted Majors Debut: Mid-August
Looking for a boost on the offensive side of the ball, the White Sox would likely look to the AAA infielder William Bergolla Jr. Chicago acquired the former Philadelphia Phillies prospect in July 2024 for pitcher Tanner Banks. Since the trade, Bergolla Jr. worked his way through the White Sox minor league system and is now with Charlotte.
Since arriving in AAA to start the 2026 season, Bergolla Jr. has shown his superb hitting prowess before getting injured on April 9th. In 10 games played, he hit .457 with eight runs batted in and a 1.096 OPS. Even though he is not a power hitter, his ability to draw walks and steal bases has made him a threat on the bases.
With Bergolla Jr. currently ramping up for a rehab stint, an appearance in the majors is not likely until late summer or when rosters expand in September. The infielder could see time as a utility player or a substitute for speed on the bases. He would also work if there is an injury to shortstop Colson Montgomery or second baseman Chase Meidroth.
MLB Pipeline Chicago White Sox Top 30 Prospect Ranking: 9
Projected Majors Debut: September Extended Roster
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With the White Sox looking to make a deep run in the fall, they could boost their chances by calling up several of their top prospects. This would allow the team to add talent without making any significant trades. This would also allow the team to see how the prospects fare against major league competition.
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