Caleb Bonemer had a splash-hit season in 2026. In 2025, his first year of pro ball, he was very good, posting an .874 OPS between Single and High-A, but he doubled-down this season. In 132 games between High-A and Double-A, he smashed 37 home runs (tied for 5th in the minor leagues), with a .930 OPS between the two levels.
The White Sox sent him to the Fall League for additional playing time and for work in the outfield, and he's thrived there as well, with a 1.013 OPS across 51 PAs, with 14 hits and 3 home runs.
Caleb Bonemer stays red-hot in the desert 🔥
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 23, 2026
The @WhiteSox No. 2 prospect laces his second triple -- and eighth XBH of the @MLBazFallLeague -- for his 10th RBI of the campaign: pic.twitter.com/atRFAifEFq
Bonemer was drafted as a shortstop with third base versatility, but there isn't a clear place for him in the Sox crowded infield. There was speculation he'd be a trade candidate (along with some of the Sox other growing numbers of infield prospects), but after such a dominant year, the Sox will almost surely want to keep him. He's ranked 2nd in their system and 27th in baseball, and his numbers keep getting better.
He just turned 21, and he'll need some Triple-A plate appearances before he's ready for the majors, but it's becoming increasingly likely that the Sox have him in their 2027 plans. He certainly doesn't seem like he needs another full season in the minors.
That gives the Sox a difficult conundrum. If they promote him, they'll have to put somewhere, and there's no clear spot open for him without moving another regular. So what are their options?
The White Sox may get creative to get Caleb Bonemer to Chicago in 2027
Although he was drafted as an infielder, the White Sox have started giving Bonemer some outfield reps.
It was always somewhat questionable that Bonemer would stick at shortstop. Defensive stats aren't widely available for the minor leagues, but Baseball Reference offers Fielding Percentage data (often considered the worst defensive stat, but still worth something). According to BR, Bonemer had an .846 Fld% in 93 Double-A innings playing short. For comparison, the league-average number would be in the upper-half .900s, and a figure below .900 is almost unheard of.
Clearly, that's not a long-term fit. The outfield transition is new--he did get 79.2 innings at center in Double-A, and he's split time between all three outfield spots in the AFL, with most still coming in center. He has one error in 65 innings there, and a .944 Fld%. Brendan Gawlowski of Fangraphs observed Bonemer's in center, and wasn't sure he'd stick there long-term.
If Bonemer ends up playing primarily third base or the outfield corners--which seems like the most likely outcome--his addition to the roster may require some reshuffling.
The Sox regular infield features Chase Meidroth at second base, Munetaka Murakami at first, Miguel Vargas at third, and Colson Montgomery at short. Vargas and Murakami are the team's two best hitters, and neither of them have the versatility to move off the infield corners. Meidroth was the most expendable infielder entering the season, but he finished 2026 as a Gold Glove finalist with a .765 OPS and looks like a mainstay at the position.
But the outfield is developing its own core, as well. Tristan Peters and Brenton Doyle are both above-average defensive center fielders, operating in a platoon. That suggests the Sox value elite defense in center, and won't play Bonemer there if his defense doesn't measure up.
Sam Antonacci and Braden Montgomery each just finished their rookie seasons, and they fill the two corners. Antonacci is a natural infielder who, like Bonemer, was shifted to the outfield so he could find playing time. He's become the team's leadoff hitter, and an on-base weapon who the Sox won't move to the bench. They could, however, move him to DH, as his defense in left field was subpar. Could Bonemer force his way into left field this summer?
Bonemer's best chance may be to replace a Montgomery. Braden struggled in his rookie year, finishing with a .662 OPS in 365 PAs. Colson was always a power-hitter who struggled with contact, but this year he hit .198 with a .282 OBP, striking out a record-breaking 227 times. He still hit 31 homers, but his overall offensive profile won't be sustainable without adjustments.
That doesn't mean the Sox will just hand Bonemer right field or shortstop. Both Montgomerys are former top prospects, who the Sox would rather keep in their future plans. Colson has both raw power and elite defense, which aren't easily replaceable. Braden is something of a cautionary tale--like Bonemer, he tore up the minor leagues, but hasn't brought those results into big league baseball... at least not yet.
Meidroth could take over shortstop, with Antonacci moving to second base and Bonemer to left field. Alternatively, Bonemer could enter an outfield platoon with Antonacci and Montgomery, who both struggle against left-handed pitching.
The problem is that, even if one of both Montgomerys' stopped being fixtures, they would still need regular at-bats. That would take playing time from Bonemer, and it would really be the worst outcome for all three hitters. All three of them need more time to develop, and they can't get that if they end up in platoons.
The other possibility would be a trade. Antonacci and Meidroth have very good numbers, but aren't untouchable. They would both have significant trade value, if the Sox were willing. But you don't trade a proven player for an unproven one, especially one as inexperienced as Bonemer. A line-up that keeps its struggling players (and moves its consistent ones) isn't going to bring equally good results.
Ultimately, the result might be simple: Players will need to earn their time. In Spring training, lots of players will compete for 26 roster spots and the best ones will earn positions. If Bonemer can prove he deserves a roster spot, he'll get one at some point in the year. Once he's there, he can prove how many at-bats he should get, and the same is true for everyone currently in the lineup.
Versatility will help him, because it's easier to work in players who fill multiple roles. But right now, Bonemer just needs to keep hitting, and that doesn't look like a problem for him.
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