Colby Shelton, the White Sox No. 23 prospect on MLB Pipeline, is becoming a name to watch.
Shelton is currently tearing up the Arizona Fall League, and while he didn't get a spot in the Fall Stars, he arguably deserves one. He has an .890 OPS in first 15 games there, with three homers (including a Grand Slam), 17 RBIs, seven runs, and an equal number of walks and strikeouts. His overall batting line is .277/.379/.511. Shelton's most appealing quality is generating runs--those 17 RBIs didn't come from just three homers, nor did the seven runs.
He's a former from 6th round pick without huge prospect-status, and he started off a tad behind age-wise, as he split his age-23 season between High-A and Double-A. It's his Fall League stint that's gotten recent attention, but he's hit everywhere he has been.
Shelton had an admirable college career; in his first season at the University of Alabama, he broke the school's freshman record by hitting 25 home runs (that also tied the Southeastern Conference's all-time freshman record). He transferred to the University of Florida, where he hit 20 homers with a .925 OPS in his second season.
His 2025 season was interesting. He made some adjustments to improve his on-base ability, and ultimately put up a career-best .458 OBP in 45 games, but only hit 7 home runs. It's worth noting that he improved his K-BB% ratio substantially. In 2024, he had 82 strikeouts and 35 walks, over 66 games. In 2025, that improved to 24 strikeouts and 21 walks.
This should have lowered concerns about his hit tool, and perhaps it did. The White Sox drafted him in the 6th round, while the Washington Nationals had drafted him in the 20th, and final, round back in 2024, when he was draft eligible as a sophomore (obviously, Shelton turned down their offer). According to Baseball Savant, his 2024 scouting reports tagged him with a 45-grade hit tool, while his draft report gave him an improved 50-grade. Most of the concerns came from his speed and defensive ability, both of which are fringey, with some concerns about whether his hit/power would be enough to compensate. The White Sox hoped he could find a middle ground and maintain the on base numbers without sacrificing all of his power.
Shelton finished 2025 with 27 games for the Single-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, but only managed a .415 OPS in 155 PAs. He got just 14 hits and 11 walks while striking out 25 times.
Colby Shelton took a clear step forward during the 2026 season
But he came back strong in 2026, posting an .826 OPS between Winston-Salem and Birmingham. His production fell somewhat in his 96 Double-A games (.213/.293/.432, 24.9% K%, 9.1% BB%), but he still had 21 doubles and 17 homers. In 31 High-A games, he had a .339/.464/661 line, a 17.9% BB% and 18.6% K% rate. It's worth noting that Regions Field, the Sox Double-A park, is slightly tough on hitters and could be responsible for some of his decreased output. He did show his run-generating ability; 49 runs scored and 53 RBIs in Double-A, totaling 82 RBIs and 73 runs for the season.
No doubt about that one!@whitesox No. 23 prospect Colby Shelton ties it up with a solo shot! pic.twitter.com/qbAVQDxnYU
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) October 13, 2026
His recent performance should help him move up prospect lists, although he would do well to try and hit up-the-middle rather than pulling the ball. His 2026 scouting reports were worried about his uppercut, longer swing leading to too much swing-and-miss.
If he can find a balance, he'll be a good hitter--the basic tools are there. He also isn't bad with the rest of his game. He's not a bad base-stealer for someone with below-average speed, and he swiped 14 bags this year while getting caught 5 times. He might have a worse success rate in the upper levels, but for now the base-stealing is an advantage.
His long-term defensive position is questionable. He was a shortstop with the Gators, but has mostly played second and third base in pro ball. His 2026 scouting report lists 2B as his eventual position, and it seems like he'll do fine there even if he's never a truly plus defender. In the Fall League, he's mostly played first base, so it's possible the White Sox are looking to move him there.
Shelton has established himself as an impressive hitter in not very much time. The White Sox seem to like him, or they wouldn't have sent him to the AFL, after he played full regular season of ball. He'll get more attention if he keeps hitting, although he'd be smart to prioritize contact again--which his college career shows he can do.
He's a bit more three-dimensional than most pure sluggers, with decent base running and infield defense, so that gives him another advantage.
He's a fun prospect to watch, and White Sox fans should keep an eye on him, because the best could still be ahead for him, and he could put himself on the big league radar in 2027.
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