The Chicago White Sox enter the weekend in first place in the AL Central with just over 20 games left to play. That’s not a sentence I thought I’d be typing when the season began, but it’s the reality of the situation. As exciting as the season has been, the impending MLB labor negotiations and likely lockout are casting a dark cloud over the future of the league. There’s no question that the two sides are far apart on a deal right now, and barring a massive change of heart, a lockout seems inevitable, and missed games feel like a real possibility in 2027.
By rule, players who are on the 40-man roster would not be eligible to play during a lockout, but players NOT on the 40-man are covered by a different CBA, and their seasons would proceed as scheduled. Fortunately, two of the White Sox most exciting minor leaguers are not on the 40-man roster and fans would get to watch them play in 2027, even in the event of a lockout.
SS Roch Cholowsky
First overall pick Roch Cholowsky had his debut season cut short by a wrist injury, and White Sox fans only got to see him for nine games prior to him being shut down. He hit just .167 in that span. Despite the slow start, Cholowsky will be at the forefront of all White Sox fans minds entering the 2027 season as he looks to get his first full season in the organization off on the right foot. Cholowsky is the White Sox top ranked prospect on most outlets, and that’s unlikely to change before Opening Day of 2027. Since he was only drafted two months ago and hasn’t played about High-A, he has not yet been added to the team’s 40-man roster, giving him the ability to play in 2027 regardless of the CBA situation in the big leagues. If there is a big league season, Cholowsky could reach Chicago before it comes to an end.
Roch Cholowsky is on the board!
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2026
His first pro homer was an absolute ROCKET 🚀 pic.twitter.com/1o2qu2tSmW
3B/OF Caleb Bonemer
Bonemer, the headliner of the White Sox farm system prior to the team drafting Cholowsky, has opened eyes all season with his power production at the plate. The 20-year-old has already reached Double-A in his second pro season and has slugged 35 home runs between Winston-Salem and Birmingham this season. Other teams have been aggressive with their top prospects this year, but the White Sox have played things cautiously with Bonemer, and the impending lockout may have a bit to do with it. I’d love to see the White Sox give Bonemer some reps at Triple-A before the end of the season, but there’s no reason to force him onto the roster and risk losing his development for next year. Like Cholowsky, Bonemer has a great chance to debut in Chicago in 2027 if there is a season, and he’ll be in the spotlight for White Sox fans regardless.
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