The White Sox need pitching depth. The starting rotation has been inconsistent in quality, and several options can't go deep into games. Noah Schultz has an ERA above 6.00, Erick Fedde has been moved to a relief role, and Davis Martin, who spent much of the year as the Sox ace, has struggled substantially in the second half. Anthony Kay is good, but not perfect, and Sean Burke can't carry the rotation by himself. Luis Castillo was acquired before the trade deadline; so far he's had one good outing and one bad one. They also have some prospects, having called up Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal to boost up the bullpen, and David Sandlin has been riding the bus back-and-forth from Triple-A.
But, in all the discussion about White Sox pitching, no one is talking about Shane Smith. The Sox, of course, got Smith in the Rule 5 Draft heading into the 2025 season. He got a spot in their rotation, and pitched 146.1 innings to 3.81 ERA. Those are solid numbers, but they don't reflect how dominating he could be at his best. He got roughed up in a few outings (giving up six runs in both his July 1st start against the Dodgers, and his September 16th game against the Orioles). But he also pitched six shut-out starts, with each one lasting at least five full innings, and made the All-Star team.
The ChiSox made him their Opening Day starter for 2026, and they were expecting another strong season from him--ideally with improved consistency, but the same dominant stuff. However, according to an interview with Sox Machine, Smith made some adjustments to his delivery during the off-season. That seemed to have a negative effect, as he struggled with his command on his fastball.
He ultimately made three starts in the major league rotation this year, without ever reaching the fourth inning. He just couldn't throw strikes. His game depended on pounding the zone with his fastball; when he couldn't do that, he wasn't effective, and he posted a 10.80 ERA across his three major league games.
He got optioned to Triple-A, where he tried to find his old delivery. But his season got even more derailed when he hurt his rotator cuff. That landed him on the injured list in May, and he didn't return until July 12th. He got sent back to Charlotte, but there was little word about when--or if--he'd potentially come back to the majors.
I understand why they'd send him to Charlotte after a long injury, but we're on the tail-end of the baseball season, and he should get another shot in the big leagues before the year ends.
Despite imperfect results, the White Sox need Shane Smith
I'll admit he has some work to do. His outings in Charlotte have been inconsistent; sometime he gives up one run, sometimes four. He made four starts with the Knights in July, with a 5.17 ERA. He's only pitching about four innings at a time, and he's allowing a bit too much action (through both hits and walks) considering his outings are short. But his most recent game on August 13th was very good--six innings, three hits, one walk, one run. Hopefully he's turned the corner.
The Sox are currently in first in the AL Central, which at this stage of the season, has them eyeing the postseason. They'll be facing some of the toughest line-ups in baseball, and their pitchers will be even more taxed. They'll need the best arms they can get, and Smith is one of the best arms in their organization. It would be a shame to make him spend all year in Triple-A. He's been in MiLB since 2022, and he first played at the Triple-A level in 2024. There's nothing left for him to learn there, and honestly, there's only so much time a "reset" should take.
Maybe he comes back as a bulk reliever who works his way up to the rotation. Or maybe the Sox can bring him in as a swing-man/spot starter if they have an early exit. Either way, they have talented, All-Star-level pitcher waiting in the minors. It's time to use him.
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