The White Sox have reaped the benefit of their recently graduated prospects, as they have received some significant production out of their young players that were known as some of the more intriguing prospects in the minor leagues.
Colson Montgomery, a former top-100 prospect, has hit 20 home runs already and has driven in 46 runs. Miguel Vargas, a former top-100 prospect for the Dodgers, is one of the best third basemen in the American League. Braden Montgomery, a current top-100 prospect, has gotten off to a fantastic start to his young major league career. Additionally, Sam Antonacci, while not widely considered to be a top prospect outside of Chicago media, has been one of the best hitters on the team. These players have all contributed to the White Sox currently sitting atop the AL Central.
Now, armed with the first pick in the 2026 MLB draft, the White Sox will look to continue to stockpile young talent in their organization. When you combine that with the success the White Sox are currently having with their players in the minor leagues, the White Sox could be dangerous for years to come.
General Manager Chris Getz has shown his ability to identify talent in the draft, as top-20 prospect Caleb Bonemer was a second round pick and aforementioned Antonacci was a fifth round pick. If Getz can continue to hit on talent outside of the first round, that would be huge for the organization.
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As you look across the White Sox organization, a recent draft pick is having surprising success in his first minor league season. This would be Matthew Boughton, an infielder who was selected in the 11th round in last year’s draft, as the White Sox were able to lure Boughton away from his Texas A&M commitment. Now, Boughton is playing with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Low-A affiliate of the White Sox.
Boughton got off to a nice start in his minor league career, as he hit .267 in the month of April after joining the team a few weeks after the season started. However, he had a rough patch in May, as he hit .174 in 86 at-bats. Boughton has seemingly figured something out in June, as he has been one of the Cannon Ballers’ best hitters.
In June, Boughton is hitting .287 with a fantastic .380 on-base percentage. He’s added three home runs, 11 RBIs, and six stolen bases. He’s walked 12 times compared to 16 strikeouts, which is a very impressive ratio for a player with just 200 at-bats in his minor league career.
Matthew Boughton puts a charge into a liner to the berm in LF for his 4th HR. Jaden Fauske (1B) scores on the blast. #Ballers up 3-1. pic.twitter.com/qHdk37KLcP
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) June 28, 2026
If that wasn’t impressive enough, Boughton was the Carolina League Player of the Week just two weeks ago. For an 11th round pick, this is exciting to see, as he could turn out to be one of the more intriguing prospects in the White Sox organization.
Boughton has fantastic speed, as he already has 14 stolen bases on the season. If he can continue to hit like he has in June, he may find himself on top-100 prospect lists to end the season.
Regardless, this is fantastic production to see out of an 11th round pick so quickly into his career. Boughton will be a player to watch over the next few seasons, as he could add to the already impressive surplus of middle infielders the White Sox have in their organization.
