March 22, 2026 | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ | 8:05 PM CT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) face the Seattle Mariners (85–77, Wild Card team) in spring training today, and this is another massive reality check. They made the playoffs. We lost 99 games. They have Julio Rodríguez—one of the best young players in baseball. We have Colson Montgomery—hoping to become that.
Logan Gilbert and George Kirby anchor Seattle’s elite rotation. Drew Thorpe is trying to earn a spot in ours. They’re a playoff team with homegrown talent and sustainable success. We’re hoping our prospects develop like theirs did.
For White Sox fans, this is just another spring game showing how far we have to climb. We’ve still got a couple more spring games left, but Opening Day is approaching fast.
Where the White Sox Stand (Still Rebuilding)
2025 Record: 63–99
Ninety-nine losses. We’re rebuilding, and it’s going to take years. Colson Montgomery is supposed to become our franchise cornerstone. Drew Thorpe is supposed to anchor the rotation. Luis Robert Jr. is supposed to stay healthy.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): Elite talent when healthy—just needs to be healthy
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect, the entire rebuild depends on him
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who mentors young pitchers
Top Prospects:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat trying to prove he’s ready
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Gets another start against playoff competition
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Drew Thorpe gets to face Logan Gilbert and a playoff team’s lineup. This is what real competition looks like.
The Seattle Mariners: Playoff Team Built on Pitching
2025 Record: 85–77 (Wild Card)
Seattle made the playoffs behind elite pitching and Julio Rodríguez’s superstar talent. Logan Gilbert and George Kirby are both quality starters. They develop pitching better than almost anyone and play fundamentally sound baseball.
Key Players:
- Julio Rodríguez (CF): Five-tool superstar, 30-30 potential, franchise cornerstone
- Logan Gilbert (RHP): Quality starter with consistency, gets the start today
- George Kirby (RHP): Elite starter with pinpoint command
Top Prospects:
- Harry Ford (C): Catching prospect with upside
- Cole Young (INF): Versatile infielder trying to establish himself
- Bryce Miller (RHP): Pitching prospect pushing for rotation spot
The Mariners are what we’re trying to become—playoff team with homegrown stars, elite pitching, and sustainable success. They developed Julio. We’re hoping Montgomery becomes that for us.
The Matchups That Matter Today
| Position | White Sox | Mariners |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Cole Young |
| Center Field | Luis Robert Jr. | Julio Rodríguez |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Logan Gilbert |
Colson Montgomery vs Cole Young at Shortstop
Both are young infielders with upside. Montgomery is more advanced offensively. Young is versatile and solid. Montgomery should have the edge.
Luis Robert Jr. vs Julio Rodríguez in Center Field
When healthy, Robert has similar talent to Julio. But Julio actually stays on the field and produces every single year. That consistency and durability is the difference between potential and superstardom.
Drew Thorpe vs Logan Gilbert on the Mound
Gilbert is an established playoff-caliber starter. Thorpe is a prospect trying to earn a rotation spot. The gap is real, and Thorpe’s about to face playoff-level competition.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Competes Against Playoff Talent
Seattle’s lineup made the playoffs. Thorpe needs to show he can compete with that level. Three or four innings without getting shelled would be progress.
Colson Montgomery Keeps Progressing
Against playoff-caliber competition, Montgomery needs to show he can hang. Quality at-bats matter more than results against this level.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
Just get through the game without injury. We’ve still got spring games left and Opening Day approaching. Stay on the field.
Bryan Ramos Shows He Belongs
Against Seattle’s pitching, show you can handle major league stuff. This is playoff-caliber competition.
Don’t Get Completely Embarrassed
The Mariners are 22 games better than us and made the playoffs. They’re going to win. But if we can compete for a few innings, that’s something.
What Seattle Will Bring
Julio Rodríguez will do something spectacular—elite speed, power, defense, everything. Logan Gilbert will challenge our hitters with consistency and quality stuff. They’ll play fundamentally sound baseball.
The Mariners’ playoff experience and organizational excellence will be on full display.
White Sox Fan Prediction: We Get Handled
Final Score: Mariners 6, White Sox 3
Logan Gilbert throws five solid innings, making our hitters look outmatched. Drew Thorpe battles but gives up five runs in four innings—respectable given the competition, but not competitive.
Colson Montgomery goes 1-for-3 and looks overmatched at times. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer (then exits as a precaution, of course).
Julio Rodríguez goes 2-for-4 with a stolen base and shows why he’s a superstar. Seattle’s depth and playoff experience overwhelm us.
Three-run loss feels generous. We’re 22 games and a playoff berth behind them.
Why This Game Matters (Kind Of)
The Mariners made the playoffs. We lost 99 games. This game just shows the gap between playoff teams and rebuilding disasters.
Can Drew Thorpe compete with playoff lineups? Will Colson Montgomery show he can hang? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay on the field?
The Mariners represent what we’re trying to become—playoff team with homegrown superstars like Julio Rodríguez. We’re hoping Montgomery becomes our version of that.
We’ve still got a couple more spring games before Opening Day. Keep developing and hope the rebuild works out.
Cubs beat them yesterday so hope we can do it too.
Go Sox!!!