The White Sox turned a DFA'd Curtis Mead into surging catching prospect Boston Smith, whose early power breakout is quickly making the trade look like a clear win for Chicago.
As 26-man rosters were being finalized ahead of Opening Day, the Chicago White Sox designated infielder Curtis Mead for assignment on March 25.
It wasn’t the most shocking decision we’ve ever seen, but I did expect the White Sox to keep Mead on the active roster. He was out of minor league options, offered some offensive upside, and provided more defensive versatility on the infield than someone like Lenyn Sosa, who made the team over him at the time.
Instead, the White Sox opted to go heavier in the outfield and move on from Mead. But rather than subjecting him to waivers, they found a trade partner, dealing him to the Washington Nationals in exchange for catching prospect Boston Smith.
It’s not even the end of April, and that trade already looks like a major win for the White Sox.
To Mead’s credit, he’s actually playing pretty well in Washington. The batting average isn’t great, but he has three home runs in 18 games and a .727 OPS. He’s also in the 97th percentile in whiff rate, meaning he’s not swinging and missing. More importantly, he’s starting to drive the ball with real power and authority. That's a big step in the right direction for a 25-year-old still trying to establish himself.
But after seeing what Boston Smith has done to open his professional career, it’s hard to imagine the White Sox having any regrets.
Smith was a sixth-round pick by the Nationals in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Wright State, and he didn’t appear in any minor league games after signing. He’s already 23 years old, but it’s easy to be intrigued by the offensive profile. In his final collegiate season, Smith hit .330 with 26 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.
Those 26 home runs tied for the most in Division I baseball last season. He flashed more of that power in the MLB Draft League, and it’s clearly carried over into his first professional action.
Smith spent just eight games at Low-A Kannapolis before earning a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem. In his first six games with the Dash, he’s already racked up a triple, four home runs, and a 1.423 OPS.
Catcher was already one of the deepest position groups in the White Sox organization entering the 2026 season. At the MLB level, they have Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. In Triple-A, there’s 24-year-old Drew Romo. Then there are prospects like Landon Hodge and Fernando Graterol, both ranked among the organization’s top 30.
Now you can add Boston Smith to that mix, and he looks like someone who could move through the system in a hurry. Power from the catcher position is rare, and when you find it, it becomes an incredibly valuable asset.
Considering Mead was likely headed for waivers anyway, and very well could have been claimed, this is a move the White Sox can comfortably call a win. Early returns suggest they may have landed a legitimate prospect in Boston Smith.