Filling the only veteran pitcher’s shoes should be easy peasy, right?
Down one starting pitcher after Martín Pérez was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day IL with left elbow inflammation, the Chicago White Sox have an open spot in their rotation. With only four starters — three youngsters who have been unpredictable and one rookie who can’t keep up his sound pitching forever — and a shaky bullpen, Chicago is bound to replace Pérez. Knowing that the Sox won’t explore the free agent market, who will be the lucky minor-leaguer to claim the fifth spot?
Nick Nastrini
Adding Nastrini at the back of the rotation behind Shane Smith has general manager Chris Getz written all over it. Nastrini hasn’t fared well this year, earning a 4.98 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over five starts totaling 21.2 innings. His most recent start against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders is his only scoreless appearance of the year. He averages 3.8 runs per game, and his ability to induce swings and misses isn’t spectacular.
While Nastrini isn’t the best candidate, he will likely be viewed as the most eligible candidate for Pérez’s job due to his starting experience last year with the South Siders. He was far from imposing last year, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Getz gives him special treatment because he already played for the Sox.
Justin Dunn
Dunn would be another interesting pitcher to call up from Charlotte. Although injuries have recently derailed his pitching, he was once a top prospect. Before the onslaught of shoulder injuries began, he pitched three seasons in Seattle with a 3.94 ERA and 1.5 WAR over 25 starts. He has spent the last year battling back from shoulder surgery and is now ramping up his pitching with the Knights. Last week, he tossed six shutout innings and only allowed three hits and two walks against the Nashville Sounds.
Dunn may have had a rough start to the 2025 MiLB season, but he’s coming around. After another week or two, it may be time to add some diversity to the rotation and have him be the next No. 4.
Hagen Smith
Bumping Smith to the major leagues nearly a year before his expected debut would be exceptionally well received by Sox fans, who loved watching him pitch during spring training. He has limited opponents to fewer than three earned runs and has impressively rung up 25 batters in 13 2⁄3 innings. Although his 10 walks over four games are on the higher end, he mostly keeps runners off the bases.
Smith has gotten the most attention of any homegrown pitcher this offseason. It’s unlikely that Getz will allow him to skip Triple-A, but it’s not out of the question given Chicago’s need to rapidly pick up a few wins before May hits.