Until this season, it felt like Jacob Gonzalez was trending towards bust territory. The 15th overall pick by the White Sox in 2023, he spent several seasons in the minor leagues putting up unspectacular numbers. His scorching-hot start to 2026 has changed perceptions of him though and forced the White Sox front office into an interesting decision about his future.
Selected just one pick after Kyle Teel and before players like Colt Emerson and Kevin McGonigle, expectations were high for Gonzalez from the start. He gradually worked his way up the minor leagues, eventually stalling out in Triple-A in 2025. His .204 batting average and .602 OPS in 171 plate appearances with the Knights last season were less than inspiring and created real concerns about his future.
Breakout 2026 Season
It took Gonzalez a long time to put up the top prospect numbers people expected, but that has finally been the case in the early going of 2026. Entering tonight’s action, the left-handed hitting infielder is batting .294 with 15 home runs, a 148 wRC+, and exactly a 1.000 OPS in 49 games. Slight mechanical adjustments could explain his success, as could Truist Field, the Knights’ home ballpark. A very hitter-friendly stadium, Gonzalez has a 1.223 OPS at home compared to a .739 OPS on the road. Even with those drastic splits, it’s hard to overlook what he has done this season.
Crowded White Sox Infield
If this were the White Sox of 2024 or 2025, Gonzalez would have been called up already. Unfortunately for him, all the positions he has played in the minors are taken at the MLB level. With Miguel Vargas at third, Colson Montgomery at shortstop, and Chase Meidroth at second, there is no clear path for Gonzalez at the MLB level. And unlike Sam Antonacci, a natural infielder who moved to left field because of the team’s roster construction, it does not appear the organization has any intention of converting Gonzalez to the outfield.
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Adding to the intrigue is the team’s recent decision to call up Rikuu Nishida instead of Gonzalez. It felt like a puzzling move considering Gonzalez’s Triple-A stats were the better of the two and that he is also the more highly regarded prospect. Nishida’s ability to play all three outfield positions likely factored into the decision, as could their preference to continue giving Gonzalez everyday at-bats. As of now, Gonzalez is still in Triple-A waiting for his chance. With all the infield spots at the MLB level accounted for and other top prospects like Caleb Bonemer, Colby Shelton, Billy Carlson, and potentially Roch Cholowsky coming behind him, Gonzalez is at an interesting crossroads at this point in his career.
Potential Trade Chip
With the White Sox surprising the baseball world and staying alive in both the division and Wild Card races entering June, it’s not impossible that they could become buyers at the deadline. If they do decide to add, Gonzalez likely would become one of the assets they would look to trade. Adding to the pitching staff is a must if the team wants to make even a somewhat serious attempt this season, and a 23-year-old infielder raking in Triple-A would be an appealing player to sellers and rebuilding teams.
Good Problem To Have
The White Sox face a good problem they haven’t had in a long time. They have too many quality infielders and not enough spots for them all. Jacob Gonzalez remains the odd one out for now, but if he keeps performing, it’s only a matter of time before he gets his chance. Whether his future is in Chicago or part of a trade package, Gonzalez has put himself back on the map and forced the White Sox to make an important decision on him sooner rather than later.
