Final Chicago White Sox 2026 Opening Day Roster Prediction

The final Chicago White Sox spring training game of 2026 will be played one week from today. After the organization's latest roster moves on Monday, 42 players remain in White Sox camp, including 22 pitchers, four catchers, eight infielders, and eight outfielders.

Obviously, that group will be trimmed down rapidly over the next week. The White Sox must finalize a 26-man roster before they depart for Milwaukee to open the regular season.

That may seem like a lot of cuts still to come, but we already have a fairly good idea of how this roster will shake out. That said, recent developments — including injuries and a few spring training breakouts — have altered the status quo in recent weeks.

So it's time to shoot my shot and plant my flag in the sand.

Here is my final prediction, based on everything we know, for the Chicago White Sox's 26-man Opening Day roster.

C — Edgar Quero

1B — Munetaka Murakami

2B — Chase Meidroth

3B — Miguel Vargas

SS — Colson Montgomery

LF — Andrew Benintendi

CF — Luisangel Acuña

RF — Austin Hays

DH — Lenyn Sosa

Korey Lee, C

Everson Pereira, OF

Curtis Mead, INF

Jarred Kelenic, OF (NRI)

RHP Shane Smith

RHP Davis Martin

LHP Anthony Kay*

RHP Sean Burke

RHP Erick Fedde

Seranthony Domínguez

Grant Taylor

Jordan Hicks

Jordan Leasure

Sean Newcomb*

Lucas Sims (NRI)

Chris Murphy*

Tyler Gilbert*

*Left-handed pitcher

Catchers (2): Edgar Quero, Korey Lee

Infielders (6): Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Munetaka Murakami, Lenyn Sosa, Curtis Mead

Outfielders (5): Andrew Benintendi, Luisangel Acuña, Austin Hays, Everson Pereira, Jarred Kelenic

Starting Pitchers (5): Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Sean Burke, Erick Fedde

Left-Handed Relievers (3): Sean Newcomb, Tyler Gilbert, Chris Murphy

Right-Handed Relievers (5): Seranthony Domínguez, Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, Jordan Hicks, Lucas Sims

Regarding the position players, I have the White Sox keeping two catchers, six infielders, and five outfielders.

Kyle Teel’s hamstring strain pushes Edgar Quero into the everyday lineup at catcher and gives Korey Lee a place on the roster as his backup.

That situation also opens room for an additional infielder to make the team, which places Curtis Mead in a favorable position given his defensive versatility across the infield and the fact that he has no minor league options remaining.

I also believe Brooks Baldwin begins the season on the injured list. That opens the door for both Everson Pereira and Jarred Kelenic to make the roster and prove they can stick.

Pereira and Kelenic get the opportunity over someone like Derek Hill due to youth and offensive upside. The White Sox are clearly focused on giving runway to players who have previously lacked consistent opportunities. At least during the early stages of the season, it makes sense for the organization to chase that upside.

Mike Vasil would have been a dark-horse candidate to break into the starting rotation, potentially pushing someone like Sean Burke out of the mix. However, after Vasil exited his start over the weekend with elbow discomfort, I’m operating under the assumption that he will begin the season on the injured list and could very well miss the entire year if Tommy John surgery becomes necessary.

As a result, the on-paper rotation remains intact heading into the regular season, while non-roster invitee Lucas Sims breaks camp with the White Sox following a tremendous showing in Cactus League play.

Sims gives manager Will Venable another reliable right-handed arm capable of handling middle innings — a valuable addition with Grant Taylor likely serving as the primary long-relief option in Vasil’s absence.

I also don’t believe either Rule 5 pick pitched well enough during camp to warrant a roster spot. Because of that, I expect the White Sox to move on from both Alexander Alberto and Jedixson Paez.

Chris Murphy ultimately makes the team as another multi-inning option and one of three left-handed relievers on the roster. By merit alone, Brandon Eisert has pitched well enough this spring to be in the big leagues, but the fact that he still has minor league options remaining — while Tyler Gilbert does not — could be the deciding factor for the final bullpen spot.

Ryan Borucki also deserves mention as a dark-horse candidate after a strong spring performance.

Ultimately, this roster strikes a balance between maximizing upside and maintaining organizational depth. It also provides several players who entered camp on the roster bubble an opportunity to prove themselves before the inevitable roster decisions begin once the regular season gets underway and players return to health.