February 22, 2026 | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ | 1:05 PM CT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
Here we go again. The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) are facing off against the Milwaukee Brewers (87–75, made the playoffs) in spring training, and the contrast couldn’t be starker.
They’re a perennial contender. We lost 99 games and are in full teardown mode. They have Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio. We have Luis Robert Jr. and a bunch of prospects hoping to prove they belong. They made the Wild Card. We made headlines for being historically bad.
But you know what? This is where rebuilds start. Spring training games against good teams show us where our young guys stand. Can Colson Montgomery handle major league pitching? Will Drew Thorpe look like a future rotation piece? Can Bryan Ramos prove he’s ready for the show?
The scoreboard doesn’t matter in February. Development does. And today, we get to see if our rebuild is actually headed in the right direction.
Where the White Sox Stand (Rock Bottom, Looking Up)
2025 Record: 63–99
Let’s not sugarcoat it—last season was a disaster. 99 losses. Bottom of the AL Central. Historically bad baseball. The front office tore down the roster, traded veterans for prospects, and committed to a complete rebuild.
But that’s the plan. Tank, stockpile talent, develop young players, and build something sustainable. It’s painful in the short term, but if it leads to a competitive team in 2-3 years, it’s worth it.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr.: When healthy, he’s elite—speed, power, defense. The question is always health.
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect and potential franchise cornerstone. This spring is his audition.
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who can eat innings and mentor young pitchers.
Top Prospects to Watch:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat with potential to anchor third base for years
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Could be a frontline starter if he develops
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Today, Drew Thorpe gets the start. This is a big opportunity against a playoff-caliber lineup. If he can command his fastball and mix his off-speed stuff effectively, it’s a statement.
The Milwaukee Brewers: What We’re Trying to Become
2025 Record: 87–75 (NL Wild Card)
Milwaukee made the playoffs again. They’re well-coached, they develop talent, and they compete year after year despite not having a massive payroll. That’s the model we need to follow.
Christian Yelich is still productive when healthy. Jackson Chourio is emerging as a legitimate star. William Contreras provides stability behind the plate. Freddy Peralta and DL Hall anchor the rotation.
They blend veteran leadership with young talent. They play fundamentally sound baseball. And they don’t beat themselves with sloppy defense or mental mistakes—something we absolutely did last year.
Key Additions and Prospects:
- Jacob Misiorowski (RHP): Big arm with upside in the rotation
- Tyler Black (INF): Versatile infielder competing for playing time
The Brewers know how to win, and spring training games against them show us the level of execution we need to reach.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
| Position | White Sox | Brewers |
|---|---|---|
| Center Field | Luis Robert Jr. | Jackson Chourio |
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Willy Adames |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Freddy Peralta |
Luis Robert Jr. vs Jackson Chourio in Center
When healthy, Robert is one of the most talented center fielders in baseball—elite speed, power, and range. Chourio is younger and ascending fast, with five-tool potential. This matchup is a glimpse of the future vs the present.
Colson Montgomery vs Willy Adames at Short
Montgomery is our franchise hope—elite bat, solid glove, potential superstar. Adames is a proven All-Star shortstop who does everything well. This is the measuring stick game for Montgomery.
Drew Thorpe vs Freddy Peralta on the Mound
Thorpe is trying to prove he’s ready for a major league rotation spot. Peralta is an established strikeout pitcher with nasty stuff. The talent gap is obvious, but Thorpe needs to show he can compete at this level.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Commands the Zone
Three solid innings with fastball command and confident off-speed pitches. Against a playoff-caliber lineup, Thorpe needs to show he belongs. If he gets lit up, it’s concerning. If he competes and executes, that’s progress.
Colson Montgomery Shows He’s Ready
A couple of quality at-bats—line drives, solid contact, maybe a walk. And defensively, make the routine plays look routine. Montgomery’s our future. Every spring training at-bat matters.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
That’s it. Just stay healthy. If Robert can give us a full season of his talent, everything changes. But we need to see him play without getting hurt.
Bryan Ramos Makes Contact
Ramos has power, but can he handle major league pitching? Show some bat-to-ball skills, don’t chase garbage, and prove you’re not just a Triple-A guy.
Defense Doesn’t Embarrass Us
We ranked bottom-five in fielding percentage last year. Make the routine plays. Communicate. Don’t drop fly balls or boot ground balls. Fundamentals matter.
What the Brewers Will Do (Because They’re Good)
Freddy Peralta will probably dominate for 3-4 innings. Christian Yelich will get his hits. Jackson Chourio will make an athletic play that reminds everyone why he’s a future star. And their bullpen will execute in the late innings.
Milwaukee plays clean baseball. They don’t beat themselves. And against a rebuilding team like us, they’ll capitalize on every mistake we make.
The Reality Check
This is a spring training game. The result doesn’t count. Rosters are experimental. Pitchers are building arm strength, not going max effort.
But for White Sox fans who endured 99 losses, every game—even in February—matters. We need to see progress. We need to believe the rebuild is working. We need our prospects to show they’re the real deal.
Milwaukee is what a well-run organization looks like. They develop talent, they compete consistently, and they don’t rebuild for a decade. If we’re ever going to get back to contention, we need to follow their blueprint.
White Sox Fan Prediction: Competitive Early, Fall Apart Late
Final Score: Brewers 6, White Sox 3
Drew Thorpe gives us three solid innings, maybe allows one run, and shows he can compete. Colson Montgomery goes 1-for-3 with a hard-hit single that shows his bat is ready. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer because that’s what he does when healthy.
But Milwaukee’s pitching depth and lineup balance eventually overwhelms us. Peralta dominates. Their bullpen shuts us down. Jackson Chourio makes a highlight-reel play. And by the seventh inning, it’s clear they’re the better team.
We’ll show flashes—maybe Bryan Ramos drives one deep, maybe Edgar Quero throws out a runner—but ultimately, the Brewers’ consistency and talent wins out.
And that’s okay. This is where we are. Rebuilding. Learning. Developing. The goal isn’t to win spring training games against playoff teams. The goal is to see our young guys compete and show they belong.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It Doesn’t)
The scoreboard doesn’t matter. But the development does.
Can Colson Montgomery handle major league velocity? Will Drew Thorpe show command against a good lineup? Can our defense execute fundamentals? These answers determine whether the rebuild is on track or if we’re in for another lost season.
Milwaukee is the model. They’re not the Dodgers or Yankees with unlimited money. They’re a mid-market team that develops talent, plays smart baseball, and competes every year. That’s what we need to become.
For now, we’re watching our prospects audition. And hoping that in 2-3 years, we’re the ones making the playoffs while some other franchise is rebuilding.
Go Sox!!! Trust the process (even when it’s painful).