The South Side Climb: Can the White Sox Defy the Odds in 2026?
Prospect expert Elijah Evans breaks down the new-look Sox, the Murakami gamble, and why the AL Central hierarchy is shifting.
The Chicago White Sox are coming off a historic rock bottom, but the tide is finally turning on the South Side. In the latest episode of One Royal Way, host Joel Penfield sits down with Elijah Evans, Head of Operations at Just Baseball Media, to dissect a transformative offseason that has Sox fans feeling a rare sense of optimism.
From the shocking bargain signing of Japanese power-hitter Munetaka Murakami to the end of the Luis Robert era, this episode covers the strategic “floor-raising” moves made by Chris Getz. Evans, a deep-dive prospect specialist, explains why the focus has shifted from high-priced stars to building a sustainable core through elite infield depth and a revamped pitching staff.
Whether you’re a Royals fan keeping tabs on the division or a baseball purist interested in a classic “comeback story” rebuild, this conversation offers an insider’s look at the AL Central’s most unpredictable team.
Key Takeaways:
The Murakami Factor: Why the league was “scared” of his profile and why Chicago was the perfect landing spot for his 30-homer potential.
Pitching Rebirth: Analysis of the “flip candidates” and why the new bullpen won’t blow games like it did in 2024.
Prospects to Watch: Why you need to learn the names Sam Antinachi and Noah Schultz before they hit the big league stage this summer.
2026 Predictions: Can the Sox climb out of the basement and overtake the Twins?