The White Sox are currently 72-64 and are atop the AL Central by 3.5 games. As it currently stands, the White Sox are going to make the playoffs and will be benefiting from a first round bye, as they will have the second best record among divisional winners.
This success is surprising, as many believed there would be significant improvement from last year, but nobody projected the White Sox to be this successful, as they have had a historic turnaround. This isn’t just a random one-off season either, as the White Sox are set up for sustained success due to the talent in their farm system.
Everyone knows about the top prospects in the system like Roch Cholowsky, Caleb Bonemer, and Billy Carlson. However, there are lower-level prospects putting up strong seasons that deserve recognition.
One of those players is Kyle Lodise, a shortstop currently at High-A Winston Salem. The White Sox selected Lodise in the 3rd round of last year’s draft out of Georgia Tech. Prior to the draft, he was ranked as the 79th best draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
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Lodise was very successful at Georgia Tech, as he hit .329 with a very solid .429 OBP in his last season for Georgia Tech. He also had a 1.095 OPS, 16 homeruns, 61 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.
To end the 2025 minor League season, the White Sox gave Lodise an aggressive assignment, as he went straight to High-A to play for the Dash. He ended up playing in 28 games, hitting .185 with a .319 OBP. However, he added four homers, 10 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. He also walked 15 times compared to just 21 strikeouts. While this wasn’t the best of years, he flashed his tools, as he has legitimate 5-tool potential.
That has been the case this year, as Lodise has been one of the most underrated players in the White Sox organization. So far, Lodise is slashing .231/.381/.437 with an elite .818 OPS as a 22 year old in High-A. He has added 19 homeruns, 72 RBIs, and 39 stolen bases. He’s walked 88 times compared to 136 strikeouts. He is on the cusp of a 20/40 season, which is extremely impressive.
Kyle Lodise goes to the 2 dubs for his 19th HR on the year. #Dash tied at 2. pic.twitter.com/gNZFY2cxfU
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) August 26, 2026
While in an ideal world you’d like him to cut down the strikeouts and hit for more average, you have to be happy with this season from Lodise if you are the White Sox. I would imagine he gets a late promotion to AA Birmingham before the end of the year, as that is where he will likely start the 2027 season.
The White Sox have a ton of depth in the infield across all levels, which may put the Sox in a tough spot when figuring out where Lodise fits in their future plans. However, he could also be a trade piece in the offseason and could net them a solid starting pitcher.
Regardless, this is a fantastic season from Lodise and White Sox fans should start getting to know him, as if he can put a season like this together at AA, he could make his way onto some top-100 lists.
