The White Sox could turn to some top pitching prospects to strengthen an already-improving bullpen down the stretch.
For much of the 2026 season, it has seemed like a given that the Chicago White Sox would look to add relief pitching at the MLB trade deadline. Pitching in general has been the team's weakness, and during May and June, one of the major concerns surrounding this club was its lack of a true closer.
Rumors even indicated that the White Sox had entertained trade discussions with the Boston Red Sox about future Hall of Fame closer Aroldis Chapman before Boston's 15-game winning streak put the team back in the playoff picture. But as the dust has settled with the deadline approaching, the need for a reliever has certainly diminished, especially when weighed against the need for another starting pitcher or the newfound hole at catcher following Kyle Teel's latest injury.
For one, the bullpen has been rather good. We just saw it during the series against the New York Yankees. Over the final two games, the White Sox bullpen completed 11 innings without allowing an earned run, including back-to-back clutch performances in extra innings. That allowed Chicago to escape the series with a split.
Since returning from the IL in June, Jordan Hicks has completed 13.1 innings, allowed four hits and zero earned runs, and recorded 21 strikeouts. Pair him with Grant Taylor and strong lefties like Bryan Hudson and Sean Newcomb, and the White Sox have a legitimately solid bullpen.
Could they still make an addition or two? Of course. Even contending teams should not pass up an opportunity to improve one of their strengths. But perhaps that improvement could come through an internal move rather than a trade deadline acquisition.
According to the latest article from Baseball Insiders Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, and Katie Woo of The Athletic, as the White Sox weigh their options and look to add to the starting rotation, they are also considering the possibility of adding top pitching prospects to the MLB bullpen.
“Lefty Hagen Smith (the club’s No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline), right-hander Tanner McDougal (No. 4) and right-hander Mason Adams (No. 10) could all factor into Chicago’s bullpen plans down the stretch," reads the report.
"Smith and McDougal already are working as relievers in Triple A. Some within the White Sox view the situation as the setup that gives the trio the best chance to impact the major-league club this season.”
Right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde is another option who could move to the bullpen in a bulk relief role if the White Sox acquire a traditional starting pitcher at the deadline and choose to replace him in the rotation.
Of the top prospects who could join the MLB bullpen, Tanner McDougal might be the most exciting one right now. McDougal was off to a great start in 2026 before injuries prevented him from reaching his ceiling. He remains an exciting arm for the White Sox to have in their future plans, but he looks more ready than ever to contribute at the MLB level.
In eight Triple-A appearances since moving to the bullpen, McDougal has completed 9.2 innings, recorded 11 strikeouts, and posted a 2.79 ERA. He would add another right-hander with swing-and-miss stuff, which is something the White Sox have coveted. And because he has such a different profile from left-hander Hagen Smith, the White Sox could add two very different but equally effective pitchers to their bullpen.
It's a creative plan, albeit one that hinges on young pitchers remaining healthy and succeeding at the MLB level to give this White Sox team a boost. But what I like most about the plan is that Chicago isn't in dire need of relief help. These additions would not make or break the White Sox season, but they would give some of the organization's young pitchers a chance to experience Major League Baseball, join the good vibes in the current clubhouse, and gain valuable experience.
