March 9, 2026 | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) face the Colorado Rockies (66–96) in spring training today, and this is basically a contest to see which rebuilding team is further along. We lost 99 games. They lost 96. Both franchises are terrible and hoping prospects save them.
The Rockies have Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop and Nolan Jones in the outfield—both young players showing promise. We have Colson Montgomery and Luis Robert Jr.—one trying to establish himself, the other trying to stay healthy.
Kyle Freeland is a veteran lefty with experience. Drew Thorpe is a prospect trying to prove he deserves a rotation spot. Both teams are stockpiling young talent and hoping it develops faster than expected.
For White Sox fans, this is just another spring training evaluation. Can Montgomery keep showing he’s ready? Will Thorpe compete against a major league lineup? Can Robert stay on the field?
Where the White Sox Stand (Still Rebuilding)
2025 Record: 63–99
Ninety-nine losses. One of the worst seasons in franchise history. The rebuild is real, painful, and going to take years.
Colson Montgomery is supposed to be our franchise cornerstone. Drew Thorpe is supposed to anchor the rotation. Luis Robert Jr. is supposed to stay healthy. That’s a lot of hoping and not a lot of certainty.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): Elite talent when healthy—but he’s never 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, needs to keep showing progress
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Drew Thorpe gets another start. Against the Rockies’ lineup, can he execute and show he’s ready for Opening Day?
The Colorado Rockies: Also Terrible, Also Rebuilding
2025 Record: 66–96
Colorado lost 96 games—only three fewer than us. They’re also rebuilding. They also play half their games at Coors Field, which makes developing pitching nearly impossible.
Key Players:
- Ezequiel Tovar (SS): Young shortstop with solid defense and developing bat
- Nolan Jones (OF): Versatile outfielder with offensive upside
- Kyle Freeland (LHP): Veteran lefty who’s been around
Top Prospects:
- Chase Dollander (RHP): Pitching prospect with frontline potential
- Adael Amador (INF): Versatile infielder developing in the system
- Yanquiel Fernandez (OF): Outfield prospect with tools
The Rockies are rebuilding just like us. The question is which team’s prospects develop faster.
The Matchups That Matter Today
| Position | White Sox | Rockies |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Ezequiel Tovar |
| Center Field | Luis Robert Jr. | Nolan Jones |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Kyle Freeland |
Colson Montgomery vs Ezequiel Tovar at Shortstop
Both are young shortstops trying to establish themselves. Tovar is more proven defensively. Montgomery has higher offensive upside. Both are critical to their teams’ rebuilds.
Luis Robert Jr. vs Nolan Jones in the Outfield
When healthy, Robert has way more talent. But Jones actually stays on the field and contributes. That availability matters.
Drew Thorpe vs Kyle Freeland on the Mound
Freeland is a veteran with experience. Thorpe is a prospect trying to earn a rotation spot. Freeland should have the edge, but Thorpe needs to compete.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Competes and Executes
Against a Rockies lineup that’s not particularly intimidating, Thorpe should look good. Three or four quality innings with command and confidence would be progress.
Colson Montgomery Keeps Developing
Montgomery’s had a solid spring. Another quality performance today—good at-bats, smooth defense—keeps building toward Opening Day.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
Just get through the game without injury. We’ve still got spring training games left. Stay on the field.
Bryan Ramos Shows He’s Ready
Another chance to prove he deserves an Opening Day roster spot against major league pitching.
Beat a Team We Should Beat
The Rockies lost 96 games last year. We should be competitive with them. If we can’t hang with Colorado, that’s concerning.
What Colorado Will Bring
Ezequiel Tovar will make smooth defensive plays at short. Nolan Jones will get his cuts and maybe drive one. Kyle Freeland will challenge our young hitters with veteran savvy.
The Rockies are rebuilding, but they’re not pushovers. They have young talent trying to establish themselves, just like us.
White Sox Fan Prediction: Close Game, Coin Flip
Final Score: White Sox 5, Rockies 4
Drew Thorpe throws four solid innings, allowing two runs and showing he’s earned a rotation spot. Kyle Freeland matches him with veteran craftsmanship.
Colson Montgomery goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks ready for Opening Day. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer (then exits as a precaution, naturally).
Nolan Jones drives in two for Colorado, but our young bats—Ramos, Quero, Montgomery—scratch out enough runs to edge them by one.
It’s close. It’s competitive. And we steal a narrow win against a team we should be able to beat.
Why This Game Matters
It’s spring training between two bad teams, so the stakes are low. But seeing our prospects compete against another rebuilding team shows where we are in the process.
Can Drew Thorpe look good against a major league lineup? Will Colson Montgomery keep progressing? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay on the field?
The Rockies are three wins better than us from last year. That’s not much, but it’s something. If we can compete with them, at least we’re not the absolute worst team in baseball.
Spring training is winding down. Opening Day is approaching. And we need our young core to show they’re ready for the long season ahead.
Go Sox!!!