Noah

Schultz

Schultz touched 99 mph on the gun while striking out five. Hagen Smith started the game and allowed one run in three innings, so the White Sox had two of their best prospects piggybacking in the opener. Schultz needs to show he can stay healthy and throw more strikes that he did last year, when he walked 14% of the batters he faced between Double- and Triple-A, but there aren’t all that many lefties with arms like his.

Schultz’s fantasy stock has cratered over the past calendar year as his strikeout and walk rates continue trending in the wrong direction. He’s been plagued by injuries, which limited him to just 17 minor-league starts this past season. The 22-year-old southpaw was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball just a few years ago but he isn’t close to pitching in the big leagues entering 2026.

Schultz, who is MLB Pipeline’s 37th-ranked prospect in baseball, has battled a knee injury for the majority of the second half of the season. The White Sox will focus on letting him rest and enjoy a healthy off-season, which means he won’t participate in the Arizona Fall League and is less likely to debut with the White Sox at the beginning of the 2026 season.

Schultz will presumably undergo further evaluation and imaging to determine the severity of the issue. It’s been a frustrating season for the 21-year-old southpaw, who has battled some serious control issues during his 15 starts, after looking like a potential top-of-the-rotation arm coming out of last year. There should be an update on his status at some point in the near future. His long-term fantasy appeal has undoubtedly taken a significant hit this season. We’re hoping he’s able to get back on the mound soon.

Schultz had a 5/1 K/BB and 16 whiffs on his 86 pitches, but he gave up some hard contact, including a homer to Sandy León. The top prospect was moving up after posting a 3.34 ERA and a 58/36 K/BB in 56 2/3 innings in Double-A.

The 21-year-old southpaw made 12 starts at Double-A Birmingham, going 4-3 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings. He’s now just one step away from the big leagues. Given their alternative options and the fact that it’s another lost season for the White Sox, it would be surprising if Schultz didn’t get a start or two in the big leagues before the season is through.

Schultz walked one and struck out seven on the day. He now has a 3.58 ERA and 33:19 K:BB ratio in 32 2/3 innings at Double-A on the season. The White Sox will be cautious with Schultz’s innings this season, just as they’re being with fellow top prospect Hagen Smith, but it was nice to see Schultz’s command improve in this start. He’ll need a few more like this before the White Sox can think about moving him up to Triple-A.

Schultz is one of the top pitching prospects in the dynasty landscape and is tracking towards reaching Chicago by the end of the year, if not sooner. The towering 21-year-old southpaw pairs near triple-digit fastball with a deadly slider and improving changeup, which gives him a shot at becoming a certifiable fantasy ace in the future. He holds a respectable 4.00 ERA and 11/3 K/BB ratio across nine innings (two starts) to open the year.

Schultz was pulled in the first after walking three batters and getting just one out, but since it’s the Cactus League, he was able to return. He walked five in the contest, but he also struck out three. Schultz has massive upside, and could be a fantasy option by the end of 2025.

Schultz and Smith are the two top prospects in the White Sox system but were always longshots to make the Opening Day roster. Eder and Iriarte will be only one step away from the big leagues and could get a chance to pitch meaningful MLB innings this season.