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Future is NOW: White Sox Call Up Ace Prospects Smith & McDougal
White Sox Call Up Two Young Pitchers Amid Bullpen Crisis
What Happened?
The Chicago White Sox are bringing up two 22-year-old pitching prospects from their Triple-A team in Charlotte. Both will make their Major League Baseball debuts very soon.
Important Point
This move happens because the White Sox bullpen (relief pitchers) is exhausted after a 13-inning game and a manager’s mistake that forced an early pitching change.
Meet the New Guys
Hagen Smith — Left-Handed Pitcher
- Age: 22
- Drafted: 5th overall pick in 2024
- Minor League Stats: 4.32 ERA in 20 games (14 starts)
- Background: Mostly a starter in the minors, but recently moved to the bullpen to prepare for the majors
Tanner McDougal — Right-Handed Pitcher
- Age: 22
- Drafted: 5th round in 2021
- Minor League Stats: 2.86 ERA in 15 games (6 starts) at Triple-A
- Background: More experience at the higher minor league level
Why Are They Being Called Up?
The White Sox bullpen is running on empty. Here’s the timeline:
- Thursday: The team played a 13-inning game against the Red Sox, using many relief pitchers
- Friday: Manager Will Venable made a rule violation during Noah Schultz’s start
- Pitching coach Zach Bove visited the mound
- Venable visited the mound again shortly after
- MLB Rule: A pitcher must be removed after a second mound visit in the same inning
- Schultz was pulled after only 23 pitches
- Result: David Sandlin had to throw 5⅓ innings to save the bullpen
- Now: The team needs fresh arms immediately
Who Got Sent Down?
To make room for Smith and McDougal, two pitchers were sent back to Triple-A:
| Pitcher | Reason |
|---|---|
| Noah Schultz | Struggled all season (3-9, 6.60 ERA); victim of the mound visit mistake |
| David Sandlin | Threw long relief Friday; team needs him rested |
Important Point
Schultz was the direct casualty of Venable’s error — he hadn’t even pitched badly in that game before being forced out.
Roster Moves Breakdown
1. Active Roster (26-man)
- Added: Hagen Smith, Tanner McDougal
- Removed: Noah Schultz, David Sandlin
2. 40-Man Roster
- Added: Hagen Smith
- Removed: Wikelman Gonzalez (designated for assignment — essentially cut from the 40-man)
The Big Picture: White Sox Still Lead Division
Despite losing 4 games in a row (season high), Chicago remains in first place in the American League Central:
- White Sox: 1st place
- Guardians: 2 games back
- Twins: 2 games back
Summary
- Two top prospects (Smith & McDougal) get their first MLB chance
- Move forced by bullpen exhaustion + manager error
- Schultz & Sandlin sent down; Gonzalez cut from 40-man
- White Sox still lead AL Central despite 4-game skid
- Both rookies will pitch out of the bullpen initially
FAQ
What is a "mound visit" and why does it matter?
A mound visit is when a coach or manager walks to the pitcher’s mound to talk strategy. MLB rules limit these visits. If a pitcher gets a second visit in the same inning, they must be removed from the game. That’s exactly what happened to Schultz.
What does "designated for assignment" (DFA) mean?
When a player is DFA’d (like Wikelman Gonzalez), the team has 7 days to either trade them, release them, or send them to the minors (if they clear waivers). It’s a way to clear a 40-man roster spot.
Why move Smith to the bullpen if he was a starter?
The White Sox need immediate help in relief. Moving a starter to the bullpen is a common fast-track to the majors — it lets them pitch sooner in shorter bursts.
How rare is it for two prospects to debut together?
It’s uncommon but not unheard of, especially when a team has a sudden roster crunch. Both were likely close to ready anyway.
Can the White Sox afford to lose 4 straight?
They’re still in first place, but the division is tight. The Guardians and Twins are only 2 games back. Every game matters now.
Article based on reporting by Jesse Rogers, ESPN (Aug 8, 2026)
