February 24, 2026 | Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, AZ | 2:10 PM PT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) face the Seattle Mariners (89–73, playoff team) today, and the talent gap is brutal. They have Julio Rodríguez, one of the best players in baseball. We have Luis Robert Jr., who’s elite when healthy but can’t stay on the field. They have Logan Gilbert anchoring their rotation. We have Drew Thorpe, a prospect hoping to prove he belongs.
Seattle made the playoffs last year. We lost 99 games and were historically awful. They’re building toward a World Series. We’re hoping Colson Montgomery turns into a franchise cornerstone.
This is the kind of spring training game that shows you exactly where you are in the rebuild. And for White Sox fans who suffered through last season, it’s a harsh reminder that we’re still years away from competing with the good teams.
Where the White Sox Stand (Still at Rock Bottom)
2025 Record: 63–99
We’ve been over this a hundred times—last season was a disaster. Ninety-nine losses. Bottom-five in basically every meaningful category. The front office traded everyone, stockpiled prospects, and committed to a full teardown.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): Elite talent when healthy—30-homer power, Gold Glove defense, elite speed. The problem is “when healthy.”
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect and the guy who’s supposed to save this franchise. This spring is critical for his development.
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who mentors young pitchers and provides stability.
Top Prospects:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat trying to prove he’s ready for the majors
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Gets the start today, has frontline starter potential if he develops
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Drew Thorpe on the mound against a playoff-caliber lineup is exactly what we need to see. Can he compete with real competition? Does his command hold up against disciplined hitters? This is a measuring-stick game.
The Seattle Mariners: What a Real Contender Looks Like
2025 Record: 89–73 (AL Wild Card)
The Mariners are legit. They made the playoffs last year behind elite pitching and Julio Rodríguez’s superstar talent. Logan Gilbert is one of the best young pitchers in the American League. Cal Raleigh provides power behind the plate. And their farm system keeps producing impact players.
Key Players:
- Julio Rodríguez (CF): Five-tool superstar, future MVP candidate, franchise cornerstone
- Logan Gilbert (SP): Strikeout machine with elite stuff, getting the start today
- Cal Raleigh (C): Power-hitting catcher who anchors their lineup
Top Prospects:
- Harry Ford (C): Catching prospect with upside
- Emerson Hancock (RHP): Pitching prospect pushing for rotation spot
- Cole Young (INF): Versatile infielder with potential
Seattle is what we’re trying to become—playoff team with homegrown stars, strong pitching, and a sustainable roster. The difference is they’re already there, and we’re still stockpiling lottery tickets hoping one hits.
The Talent Gap Is Real
| Position | White Sox | Mariners |
|---|---|---|
| Center Field | Luis Robert Jr. | Julio Rodríguez |
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Cole Young |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Logan Gilbert |
Luis Robert Jr. vs Julio Rodríguez in Center Field
When healthy, Robert can match Rodríguez’s talent. The problem is Robert’s never healthy. Julio is a proven superstar who plays 150+ games a year. That’s the difference between a franchise player and a “what if” guy.
Colson Montgomery vs Cole Young at Shortstop
Montgomery is our top prospect trying to prove he’s ready. Young is Seattle’s rising prospect who’s also fighting for playing time. Both have upside, but Montgomery has higher expectations on the South Side.
Drew Thorpe vs Logan Gilbert on the Mound
Gilbert is an established ace with elite strikeout stuff. Thorpe is a prospect hoping to earn a rotation spot. The talent gap is massive, but Thorpe needs to show he can at least compete at this level.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Competes Against a Real Lineup
The Mariners have disciplined hitters who take walks and work counts. Thorpe can’t just throw fastballs and hope for the best. He needs to command the zone, mix his pitches, and show he can execute against playoff-caliber competition. Three solid innings would be a win.
Colson Montgomery Handles Logan Gilbert
Gilbert’s going to challenge Montgomery with elite stuff. Can Montgomery lay off tough pitches? Can he make hard contact when he gets something to hit? This is the kind of at-bat that shows whether he’s ready for the majors.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy (Again)
I’m a broken record, but that’s all that matters. Just get through the game without tweaking something. If Robert can give us a full season, he’s a 30-30 guy and our best player. If he can’t, we’re stuck hoping someone else steps up.
Bryan Ramos Shows He Belongs
Ramos has power, but can he handle velocity and breaking stuff from guys like Gilbert? Show some bat-to-ball skills, take smart at-bats, and prove you’re not just organizational depth.
Defense Doesn’t Fall Apart
We ranked near the bottom in fielding last year. Against a team like Seattle that puts the ball in play and runs the bases well, we can’t afford sloppy defense. Make routine plays and don’t beat ourselves.
What Seattle Will Bring (And Why We’re Probably Losing)
Logan Gilbert will probably dominate for 4-5 innings. Julio Rodríguez will make at least one jaw-dropping play. Cal Raleigh might crush a homer. And their depth—both pitching and position players—will overwhelm us.
The Mariners are a playoff team for a reason. They execute, they don’t beat themselves, and they have legitimate stars. We’re a 63-win team hoping our prospects develop into major leaguers.
This is the gap we’re trying to close. And it’s not happening in 2026.
White Sox Fan Prediction: We Get Handled
Final Score: Mariners 6, White Sox 3
Logan Gilbert throws five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, making our hitters look overmatched. Julio Rodríguez goes 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a highlight-reel catch in center field.
Drew Thorpe battles but gives up three runs in four innings—not terrible, but not dominant. Colson Montgomery goes 1-for-3 with a single and looks overmatched at times. Luis Robert Jr. launches a solo homer because that’s what he does, then exits the game early as a precaution (of course).
Seattle’s depth takes over in the late innings, and they pull away. We show flashes—maybe Bryan Ramos drives one deep, maybe Edgar Quero throws out a runner—but it’s clear they’re the better team.
And that’s fine. That’s where we are. They’re competing for World Series. We’re competing to not lose 100 games again.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though We’re Probably Losing)
The scoreboard doesn’t matter. But seeing our young guys compete against playoff-caliber competition does.
Can Drew Thorpe hold his own against a Mariners lineup that made the postseason? Will Colson Montgomery show he can handle elite pitching? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay on the field?
Seattle represents what we’re trying to build toward—homegrown stars, strong pitching, sustainable success. They developed Julio Rodríguez. They built Logan Gilbert into an ace. They turned Cal Raleigh into a productive catcher.
We need to do the same with Montgomery, Thorpe, and our wave of prospects. If we can’t, we’re stuck in perpetual rebuild mode while teams like Seattle compete every year.
The Harsh Reality
We lost 99 games last year. The Mariners made the playoffs. That 26-game gap isn’t closing in one offseason.
But spring training shows whether we’re moving in the right direction. Are our prospects developing? Is our pitching improving? Can we execute fundamentals?
If the answer is yes, then maybe—maybe—we’re competitive in 2027 or 2028. If the answer is no, we’re looking at another lost decade.
For now, we’re watching prospects audition and hoping one of them turns into Julio Rodríguez. Because without a true superstar, you can’t compete in today’s MLB.
Go Sox. Enjoy the rebuild (it’s gonna be a while).
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