February 21, 2026 | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ | 12:05 PM PT | NBC Sports Chicago
Let’s not sugarcoat this. The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) are facing the Oakland Athletics (59–103) in what’s basically a contest to see which rebuild is further along. Neither team sniffed the playoffs last season. Both franchises are banking on prospects and hoping the youth movement pays off eventually.
But you know what? As a White Sox fan, I’ll take it. We’ve hit rock bottom. The only way is up. And games like this—even in spring training—are where we find out if guys like Colson Montgomery and Drew Thorpe are actually the future or just another round of overhyped prospects.
Where the White Sox Stand (Spoiler: Not Great)
2025 Record: 63–99
Yeah, 99 losses. That happened. We were historically bad, and there’s no way to spin it otherwise. The pitching was a disaster. The defense made routine plays look impossible. And offensively, we couldn’t score runs consistently to save our lives.
But here’s the thing—we knew this was coming. The front office tore it down to build it back up. We traded veterans, stockpiled prospects, and committed to a full rebuild. It sucks watching losing baseball, but if it leads to sustained success down the road, it’s worth it.
New Additions:
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who can eat innings and mentor young pitchers
- Nicky Lopez (INF): Defensive specialist who won’t embarrass us in the field
- Korey Lee (C): Young catcher with offensive upside behind the plate
Top Prospects to Watch:
- Colson Montgomery (SS): The crown jewel. Elite bat, solid glove, potential franchise cornerstone
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power potential at the hot corner
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Could be a legit front-of-the-rotation arm if he develops
Today, Drew Thorpe gets the start. This is a huge opportunity for him to show he belongs. If his changeup is working and he’s commanding the zone, we might have something special brewing.
The Oakland Athletics: Equally Bad, Different Problems
2025 Record: 59–103
Oakland lost 103 games last year, which somehow makes our 99 losses look almost respectable. They’re also rebuilding, also relying heavily on prospects, and also hoping their farm system produces major league talent sooner rather than later.
Key Additions:
- Joe Boyle (SP): Hard-throwing righty with control issues
- Darell Hernaiz (INF): Utility guy who can play multiple positions
- Lawrence Butler (OF): Developmental outfielder with tools
Top Prospects:
- Tyler Soderstrom (C/1B): Bat-first catcher/first baseman with power
- Mason Miller (RHP): Flamethrower who could close games eventually
- Max Muncy (INF): Not to be confused with the Dodgers’ Max Muncy—this one’s an A’s prospect fighting for playing time
The A’s have had our number recently in spring training (6–4 in the last 10 meetings), but spring training records mean absolutely nothing. What matters is whether our young guys can compete and show they’re ready for the big leagues.
Position Battles and Prospect Showdowns
| Position | White Sox | Athletics |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Max Muncy |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Joe Boyle |
| Catcher | Korey Lee | Tyler Soderstrom |
Montgomery vs Muncy at Shortstop
Montgomery is our best prospect—maybe the best in the entire system since Tim Anderson was coming up. If he’s ready, he could be our Opening Day shortstop and anchor the infield for a decade. Muncy’s trying to prove he belongs on an MLB roster. This is a talent mismatch in our favor.
Thorpe vs Boyle on the Mound
Thorpe has better command and feel for pitching. Boyle throws harder but struggles with control. In spring training, the guy who can throw strikes usually wins. Advantage: Thorpe, if he executes.
Lee vs Soderstrom Behind the Plate
Lee’s the better defensive catcher. Soderstrom’s the better hitter. Both are trying to establish themselves as everyday players. This battle could swing the game depending on who shows up.
What the White Sox Need to Do to Win
Drew Thorpe Needs to Dominate
Three innings, minimal damage, good fastball command, and that changeup working. If Thorpe looks like a legitimate major league starter today, it changes the entire vibe around this team’s future. We need pitching desperately, and he could be a cornerstone.
Colson Montgomery Makes a Statement
A couple of quality at-bats, maybe a double in the gap, and smooth defensive plays at short. Show the South Side faithful that he’s the real deal and ready to carry this franchise forward.
Defense Doesn’t Embarrass Us
We ranked bottom-five in fielding percentage last year. Oakland was just as bad. Whichever team makes fewer mistakes probably wins. Simple as that. No botched double plays, no routine fly balls dropped—just execute fundamentals.
Bullpen Holds It Together
After Thorpe exits, we’ll see a parade of arms fighting for roster spots. No meltdowns. No five-run innings. Just get outs and keep us in the game.
Head-to-Head History (Not Encouraging)
- Last 10 meetings: Athletics lead 6–4
- Last 6 spring matchups: A’s won 4
- Average runs per game: Athletics 5.2, White Sox 4.3
Oakland’s had our number recently, mostly because they’ve capitalized on our defensive mistakes and bullpen implosions. If we clean those up, we’re competitive. If we don’t, we’re getting beaten by a 59-win team in spring training.
The Betting Lines
- Spread: Athletics -1.5
- Over/Under: 9.0 runs
- Moneyline: Athletics -115, White Sox -105
Vegas gives Oakland a slight edge, which makes sense given recent head-to-head results. But -115 vs -105 is basically a coin flip. They don’t see much separation between two bad teams trying to figure things out.
The over/under at 9.0 runs feels right for spring training—sloppy defense, shaky bullpens, and hitters seeing live pitching for the first time in months.
White Sox Fan Prediction: We Steal This One
Final Score: White Sox 5, Athletics 4
Look, I know Oakland’s beaten us recently. I know we lost 99 games last year. I know expecting anything positive feels dangerous after the season we just had.
But here’s why I think we pull this off:
Drew Thorpe throws three scoreless innings, showcasing that elite changeup and building confidence. Colson Montgomery goes 2-for-3 with a double and makes a smooth backhand play that gets the crowd buzzing. Korey Lee throws out a runner trying to steal. The bullpen—led by guys desperate to make the roster—executes in the late innings.
Oakland gets their hits and Soderstrom probably launches one, but we string together better at-bats and take advantage of their defensive mistakes instead of making our own.
It’s spring training, so nothing’s guaranteed. But we’re due for a win against these guys, and our top prospects need to show they’re ready to lead this rebuild.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It Doesn’t)
We’re not chasing a spring training championship. We’re chasing hope.
Can Colson Montgomery be the franchise shortstop we’ve needed since prime Tim Anderson? Will Drew Thorpe develop into a frontline starter? Can this roster—loaded with rookies and journeymen—actually play competent defense?
The A’s are in the same boat. Two franchises at rock bottom, trying to build something sustainable. Whoever figures it out first has a path back to respectability.
And yeah, even in February in Arizona, beating a team—any team—feels better than losing.
Let´s Go Sox!!!