Some of the organization’s top position players start in Triple-A, providing offensive upside we haven’t seen there for awhile
Get ready for a turbulent 2025 season for the Charlotte Knights. As prospects get the call-up and are optioned between the Chicago White Sox and Triple-A affiliate team, it’s hard to identify a core group of players who will consistently play in both halves of the season.
The Knights played better last year than in 2023, but that isn’t saying much. Charlotte finished at the bottom of the International League East with a 33-41 record, but managed to improve to 35-38 in the second half. With several players expected to graduate to the majors at some point and reinforcements from Double-A expected but not guaranteed, it’s hard to say if the overall record will improve this year.
Charlotte welcomes several new coaching staff members this year. Former Double-A Birmingham manager and White Sox closer Sergio Santos will be the new manager for the Knights, and Ángel Rosario and Jim Rickon from last year’s Winston-Salem team join as the bench and hitting coaches. Scott Aldred, the new pitching coach, is the only external hire.
Pitchers
Jairo Iriarte is back in the minors after a September stint with the Sox last year that saw him promoted straight from Double-A Birmingham. He appeared in six outings as a reliever and only allowed one earned run. Iriarte will make his first appearance with the Knights after holding a 3.75 ERA and restricting hitters to a .228 batting average while in the Barons rotation last year. He is ranked ninth among White Sox prospects on MLB Pipeline, seventh at South Side Sox.
Nick Nastrini’s command issues have landed him back in Charlotte. He had a 5.29 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 85 innings with the Knights last year, and his pitching only got worse when he was called up. His slower pitch arsenal doesn’t do his control problems any favors, which usually results in too many walks.
Justin Anderson and Jared Shuster were part of the Sox’s frustrating bullpen last year. Anderson didn’t earn a single save out of his six opportunities, while allowing 26 earned runs. Although he only collected two losses and his 4.39 ERA wasn’t terrible, past history informs why Anderson didn’t make Chicago’s 26-man roster. Shuster is in the same boat as Anderson. With a similar ERA, Shuster like Anderson didn’t establish himself as an important arm. Though his docket includes four outings as a starter, Shuster’s 35 earned runs and 1.46 WHIP are enough of a case to keep him in Triple-A a little longer.
Position Players
In a welcome turn, many of the top White Sox position prospects are starting the season in Charlotte.
Chase Meidroth and Kyle Teel, who both played in Boston’s farm system last year, are standout imports on Charlotte’s Opening Day roster. Meidroth, the No. 8 prospect with MLB and 13th with SSS, had a .293 batting average and .437 on-base percentage last year in Triple-A Worcester. His plate discipline results in 105 walks and only 71 strikeouts. No. 1 catching prospect Teel spent 84 games in Double-A Portland before playing only 28 games in Triple-A last year. He had less success in Worcester, but batted .288 and had an better-than-average on-base percentage.
Kyle Teel (MLB’s No. 26 prospect) belts his 13th homer of the year — second at Triple-A — 410 feet
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Edgar Quero is the other half of a Charlotte catching tandem that is the envy of all baseball. His .280/.366/.463 slash line across Double and Triple-A last year is great for any player, but excellent for a catcher. With his strong hitting across both sides of the plate, Quero shouldn’t spend the entire season with the Knights as MLB’s No. 6 prospect (No. 3 at SSS).
Colson Montgomery was optioned to Triple-A in the middle of March after dealing with back spasms and struggling to keep on pace with big league play. It was a tough 2024 for the 23-year-old shortstop, who struggled in his 130 Triple-A games last year with the Knights. He slashed a paltry .214/.329/.381, although he did hit 18 home runs. Like Meidroth, Quero and Teel, Montgomery may not stay in Charlotte for long — but of the quartet, he has the most to prove.
Dominic Fletcher was sent back to Triple-A after spending most of his time with the Sox last year, and on the cusp of the season was waived off of the 40-player roster to make his future in the organization uncertain. He played less than 30 games in rookie and Triple-A before he was promoted to the South Side in 2024. Fletcher struggled to hit above the Mendoza Line, but showcased his solid defense in right field.
Greg Jones is the newest addition to the franchise. Claimed off of waivers from Colorado, Jones joins the Sox after spending the vast majority of the 2024 season with Colorado’s Triple-A team. He had a respectable slash line of .269/.346/.460 with the Albuquerque Isotopes, but it didn’t translate to his six games in the majors.
We are publishing our preview just six or so hours before first pitch in Charlotte, without a finalized Knights roster. With additions made/confirmed, we will update this story at least once, to provide a fuller picture of the roster.