White Sox top prospect Noah Schultz just sent a loud message to Chicago's front office

With not much to celebrate on the White Sox big league roster in the early going, the focus of many fans has turned toward the minor leagues. The Charlotte Knights opened their season last week and have been off to an excellent start at 4-1. More important than the Knights record, however, is the performance of several of the White Sox top prospects. Among them, White Sox top pitching prospect Noah Schultz, who’s looking to bounce back from some adversity he faced in 2025. 

Schultz, now 22, emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball after posting a 2.24 ERA in 23 starts and reaching the Double-A level. He seemed on track to make his big league debut in 2025, but his struggle with lingering tendinitis in his knee ended his season early and led to some control issues. Schultz entered 2026 fully healthy and looking to bounce back, and there’s been little sign of the injury or control issues through his first two starts in Charlotte. In Charlotte’s season debut on Friday, Schultz threw four hitless innings, walking just one and striking out five. He got the start Wednesday night, where he made it through five innings, allowed just one run on a solo homer, walked one and struck out five. Overall, Schultz has begun the season with nine innings pitched, two hits, one run, two walks, and ten strikeouts. 

Noah Schultz looks healthy and ready to contribute in Chicago

Schultz’s early season success has answered any questions about the knee and control issues that plagued him in 2025. He’s dominated early in perhaps the most hitter-friendly environment in all of minor league baseball, and I don’t think he’ll be there for too much longer. 

The major league staff has been abysmal for the White Sox to begin the season, and it’s simply not sustainable. Something will have to change, and Schultz looks ready to step into the role. He may need a few more starts in Charlotte to continue to build up his pitch counts after spring training, but once he’s fully stretched out, there won’t be much holding him back if he continues to perform like he has early in the season. 

Fellow top pitching prospects Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal are also expected to impact the big league rotation at some point in 2026, and both turned in strong opening outings for the Knights. But with experience in Triple-A in 2025, I expect Noah Schultz to be the first of the three pitching prospects to see the big leagues. 

It’s totally understandable to feel discouraged with the White Sox early play, and I’m right there with you. But help is on the way. The pitcher who has been compared to Randy Johnson is healthy and back to dominating minor league hitters, and it won’t be long before we see him in Chicago.