The future looks bright on the South Side as a pair of White Sox prospects earn coveted spots on Baseball America’s AFL Top 20. DD
The Chicago White Sox are proud to announce that two of our top young talents have been recognized on Baseball America’s Top 20 Arizona Fall League Prospects list. According to the report,
- Hagen Smith earned the No. 2 spot, and
- Braden Montgomery followed closely at No. 3.
These rankings highlight the strong strides being made within our farm system and reinforce our commitment to building a competitive future on the South Side.
Hagen Smith: Rising Ace in the Making
Hagen Smith continued to showcase why he is viewed as a cornerstone of the White Sox pitching future. After battling early-season command issues, Smith rebounded with impressive poise and consistency.
Across 20 starts at the Double-A level, he posted a 3.69 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 75.2 innings, while holding opponents to a .166 average.
In the AFL, he elevated his performance even further—recording a 2.57 ERA through 5 outings. He struck out 21 hitters, allowed just 7 hits, and kept batters to a .143 average across 14 innings.
White Sox Outlook:
Smith continues to demonstrate the toughness, refinement, and stuff required to grow into a frontline pitcher. His AFL showing is another promising step forward as he works toward a role on the South Side.
Braden Montgomery: A Bat Built for the Future
Braden Montgomery delivered one of the most impressive AFL performances by any hitter, even after suffering a fractured right leg early in league play. Despite the setback, Montgomery’s talent shined the moment he returned to action.
In his first full professional season, spanning Low-A Kannapolis, High-A Winston-Salem, and Double-A Birmingham, Montgomery hit .270 with an .804 OPS over 121 games.
Once back in the AFL, he exploded offensively—posting a .366 average and 1.161 OPS in 12 games, including
- 8 doubles
- 11 RBIs
- 13 walks (to just 11 strikeouts)
Even with limited playing time, he ranked among the league’s best in multiple categories, including
- .527 OBP (3rd)
- .634 SLG (6th)
- Top-10 batting average
White Sox Outlook:
Montgomery embodies resilience and elite offensive potential. His ability to bounce back from injury and immediately dominate AFL pitching speaks volumes about his makeup and long-term projection in our outfield plans.
A Bright Future on the South Side
The White Sox are building toward a new era, and the recognition of Hagen Smith and Braden Montgomery on Baseball America’s Top 20 list reaffirms the progress taking place within our system. These two standouts represent the next wave of talent ready to impact Chicago’s future.
Our fans can look forward with excitement—because the next generation of White Sox baseball is taking shape, and it’s full of promise.
