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Dennis Allen Dropped Some Bad News For Tyrique Stevenson

By
Erik Lambert
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dennis allen
Oct 6, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) makes a catch as Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) defends during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears entered training camp with a purpose: to grind the players down to see who the real competitors are. Head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen have led the charge, bringing intensity and accountability to the field that players haven’t seen in years. They’ve made clear from the start that no job is safe. Everybody is competing. Allen has taken up that charge more than anybody else. He’s fostered an environment that is equal parts family and sibling rivalry. If you want a spot on the field in his defense, you’d better be prepared to work for it.

One person who is finding that out the hard way is Tyrique Stevenson. For the past two years, the former 2nd round pick has been the unquestioned starting outside cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson. That status is now very much in danger. Allen was asked about the #2 spot since everybody knows Johnson is #1. The defensive coordinator didn’t mince words. The job is up for grabs. It no longer belongs to Stevenson. It will go to whoever earns it in training camp, and there is plenty of competition for the opportunity.

Dennis Allen has no obligations to Stevenson.

Draft status means nothing anymore. Dennis Allen wasn’t here when the Bears selected the cornerback; a different coaching staff did that. Matt Eberflus may have been loyal to Stevenson, but he’s gone. Allen only sees the player who frequently cost the Bears games last season. That Washington fiasco alone is a stink Stevenson still hasn’t fully escaped.

Meanwhile, the push for his spot is intensifying. Veteran Nahshon Wright has looked sharp in early practices, having experience working with new secondary coach Al Harris. That is before mentioning Terell Smith and Zah Frazier, who also have legitimate chances to join the race. Allen isn’t giving preferential treatment to anybody. If Stevenson wants to keep playing, he must fight it out.

Seems Long Injury Absence Didn’t Hurt Luther Burden At All

By
Erik Lambert
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luther burden
May 10, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver (87) Luther Burden III participates in rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears didn’t hide their disappointment that Luther Burden missed most of spring practices and the start of training camp with a hamstring injury. Head coach Ben Johnson admitted the missed time would hurt his ability to master the offense. He was behind everybody else. That reality showed up in the first practice back when Burden was removed from drills because he kept lining up wrong. Fans accepted the fact that it would probably take time before the rookie receiver made any meaningful impact.

That assessment proved premature. Just one day later, Burden was the clear standout of practice. His presence was felt across every drill, including two excellent plays in 11-on-11s. One was a catch-and-run over the middle that led to a touchdown. The other was a phenomenal grab in the end zone that was blown dead because he stepped out of bounds. Some questioned if replays would’ve shown him in. Regardless, the 2nd round pick didn’t look out of place among the starters at all.

Luther Burden remains an absolute freak.

For him to hit full go after just two practices despite missing months of practice with a hamstring issue tells you how insane his talent is. His mix of size, speed, and route-running skills reminds you why he probably should’ve been a 1st round pick. The fact that he and Colston Loveland are already making plays is a huge sign for this offense going into the season. They have the highest ceilings of anybody on the roster. If both pan out, Caleb Williams could be destined for great things in the near future. Luther Burden controls his own destiny. Talent won’t hold him back from dominating the NFL. It has always been about how much he wants it. If he puts in the work, no defense on the planet will stop him.

White Sox Make Strategic Call Protecting Key Pitcher

By
Craig Rowland
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Jul 25, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Adrian Houser (57) delivers during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

As we sit just one day away from the trading deadline, there are a ton of rumors surrounding White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., as it is expected that he will play his last game in a White Sox uniform today against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Robert Jr. is not the only player that is expected to be traded, as the White Sox will likely explore trades for everyone on the roster, specifically players that will be a free agent at the end of the season.

The player that could fetch the most in a trade outside of Robert Jr. is starting pitcher Adrian Houser. Houser has been absolutely phenomenal since joining the White Sox, as he has a stellar 2.10 ERA over 68.2 innings.

This should be enough to convince teams in the playoff hunt that Houser could help them, as he has had some of his best outings against playoff teams.

In his first start with the White Sox, Houser threw six scoreless innings against the Mariners. He then followed that up with another six scoreless against the Mets. On June 22nd, Houser threw 6.1 innings of two run ball against the Blue Jays, while three weeks later he threw seven innings of one run ball against them.

Most recently, Houser shut down the Cubs for six innings before giving up a three-run homerun when they were up by 10+ runs in the seventh inning. This quality start was the perfect ending to his White Sox career, as now he can be traded to a contender and pitch more meaningful innings, hopefully in the playoffs.

The White Sox just made a very smart move, as Houser was scheduled to pitch today against the Phillies this afternoon. However, the White Sox just announced that Tyler Alexander will be starting in his place instead.

Chris Getz is being smart here, as it would have been malpractice to let Houser start today. Houser has proved everything he’s needed to over 11 starts, so there is no need to take an unnecessary risk.

There was always a chance Houser could’ve had a bad game today, which likely would have affected his value more than him having another good game, as teams could see something they don’t like. However, that isn’t the main concern, as something else could have gone terribly wrong.

Keeping him healthy after a beautiful quality start against one of the best lineups in baseball should be paramount, and the White Sox scratching him is the right move, as he will likely be traded in the next 24 hours.

Take Diamondbacks star Eugenio Suarez for example. One of the most valuable trade chips in all of baseball took a 98 MPH fastball right off the hands and was taken out of the game. Luckily for him and the Diamondbacks everything is okay, but there is no need to take that chance with Houser when one misstep or pitch could completely tank his value and ruin his tremendous season.

Houser has proved himself to all the contenders out there and allowing him to pitch would be malpractice for him and the team. Chris Getz and the White Sox made the right move for both the team and Houser. Houser probably wants to play for a contender, as he has earned the chance to pitch in the postseason. Exposing him to a potential injury could only ruin that chance for him and he doesn’t deserve that. Sox fans will wish Houser the best of luck wherever he goes, as he gave it his all every time he stepped on the field.

Ben Johnson Isn’t Here to Babysit: How the Bears Finally Got a Coach Who Gives a Damn

By
Ficky
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Jul 24, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson speaks during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, you’ve been through it. The endless cycle of “trust the process,” empty pressers, half-hearted accountability, and a locker room that talked big in August and folded by November. But those days might actually be dead. Why? Because Ben Johnson just sent the strongest cultural signal this franchise has seen in over a decade: do it right, or get the hell off the field.

From Day 1 of training camp, Johnson made it crystal clear — execution isn’t optional, and accountability isn’t some buzzword for the press. When his first-team offense screwed up lining up during 11-on-11s? He didn’t lecture. He didn’t coach them through it. He yanked them. Twice. Then sent in the backups, led by veteran Case Keenum, like a mob boss swapping underperformers with hired guns. No mercy, no soft-glove treatment, just raw football justice.

“About an hour into the practice, the first unit botched something. And then they botched it again”

Mark Grote from 670 The Score

Johnson didn’t hesitate. Immediate benching. Immediate message. This wasn’t for show. This was philosophy in action.

“Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable”

That’s Johnson’s mantra. And it might sound like coach-speak until you realize how deeply he lives it. During his intro presser, he dropped that line straight to the faces of guys like Caleb Williams and DJ Moore. No sugar. Just facts. Johnson doesn’t care if you’re a Heisman winner or a top-10 WR. If you’re not crisp, you’re sitting.

“I don’t think you can let things slide. Offensive football is about precision. It’s a constant communication of what that should look like”

Ben Johnson

You hear that, Bears fans? No more “we’ll clean it up on Monday.” No more shrugging off busted routes or lazy lineups. Every detail matters now. From how Caleb calls plays in the huddle to how a TE lines up a half-step too wide.

Tight end Cole Kmet said it best: “It’s every day and it’s relentless.”

Kevin Byard III: The Vet That Gets It

Enter Kevin Byard, a no-nonsense safety with nine years in the league and zero patience for mediocrity. He’s been here for minutes and already sees what the Bears were lacking.

“This organization over the last 10 years or whatever, it’s been a losing culture… you have to drastically rearrange everything.”

And guess what? He believes Ben Johnson is doing exactly that. Byard was named captain not because he’s loud, but because he’s real. He sees Johnson’s no-BS approach and he’s all in:

“Ben Johnson breathes competition. His energy raises the level of everybody on the team.”

You want to win a Super Bowl? Start by acting like a team that gives a damn. Byard and Johnson aren’t chasing moral victories. They’re hunting trophies.

“We’re trying to win the Super Bowl. Ben Johnson wants to build a dynasty.”

That “Aura” Sh*t Is Real

Byard called it out perfectly. The young players feel something different. He calls it “aura.” It’s not hype. It’s not fluff. It’s presence. Johnson walks into a room and the energy shifts. Practices feel like battlegrounds. Meetings are competitions. Every rep is a test.

“Don’t apologize for competing”

Ben Johnson

This isn’t about yelling for show or throwing clipboards. It’s about intent. If you’re not competing at full throttle, you’re getting passed. That’s the new normal. And it’s starting to stick.

Execution Is King

Ben Johnson doesn’t just point out mistakes — he explains why they matter. When Kmet was misaligned? Johnson didn’t just bark. He showed Kmet how it literally cost him the chance to get the damn ball. That’s how you coach. Not to shame, but to sharpen.

“Afterwards he was joking, saying ‘I’m trying to get you the football.'”

Cole Kmet

Rome Odunze echoed that sentiment. The second-year wideout said Johnson is “strict” and “detailed” but everyone’s buying in. Why? Because it’s about winning, not coddling. Players are adults. Treat them like it.

Eberflus Who?

Let’s be real. The contrast between Johnson and Matt Eberflus is staggering. Under Eberflus, accountability was a whisper. Guys made mistakes and no one blinked. It was a ten-game losing streak wrapped in a warm blanket of excuses.

Byard didn’t hold back:

“There were little mistakes that would happen and wouldn’t be addressed properly. Accountability has to be set from the top.”

He even took some of the blame himself, saying he should’ve been more confrontational. That tells you everything about the culture shift. Johnson doesn’t wait for players to demand accountability. He leads with it.

Results? Already Here.

By day three of camp, Johnson saw a shift. After benching the starters on Day 1, the offense responded. They lined up right. They finished plays. They started looking like a professional football team.

“We’re not frustrated at all. We’re right where we need to be… We’re not having to coach alignment. We’re not having to coach finish. Now we’re coaching football.”

Ben Johnson

Read that again. That’s progress in three days. Not weeks. Not midseason. Three. Damn. Days.

The Ironman Leadership of Byard

Kevin Byard isn’t just a mouthpiece. He’s a rock. Two-time All-Pro. Never missed a game due to injury. Missed practice only for the birth of his kids. That’s it. That’s the standard.

“Showing up every single day, working extremely hard, studying in the classroom, practicing.”

Kevin Byard

That aligns perfectly with Johnson’s vision. No excuses. No exceptions. You either elevate or you evaporate.

Final Verdict

This isn’t just a culture change. It’s a hostile takeover. Ben Johnson is here to build something lasting — and he’s not waiting for consensus or permission. He’s setting the bar high and daring players to meet it. And guess what? They’re responding.

For the first time in years, Bears fans have a reason to believe. Not because of some draft pick. Not because of empty slogans. But because the guy in charge refuses to accept bullshit.

Ben Johnson’s Bears are still a work in progress. But you can already tell: the days of passive leadership and soft expectations are over.

And thank whatever football gods you believe in for that.

Jed Hoyer Has to Ge Rid of His Biggest Offseason Mistake

By
Aldo Soto
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Apr 13, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Pressly (55) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Lesson learned, stop getting aging relief pitchers from the Houston Astros. Last year Hector Neris derailed the back-end of the bullpen and now in 2025 Ryan Pressly is proving to be Jed Hoyer’s biggest offseason mistake.

The 36-year-old veteran waived his no-trade clause last winter and ultimately relented, leaving his home in Texas to begin a new journey in Chicago. Pressly didn’t publicly demand the closer role with the Cubs, but if you read between the lines after his acquisition there was an understanding that the right-hander would be given the role to start the season.

Although the Astros demoted Pressly from his closer spot heading into the 2024 season after they signed Josh Hader, Pressly wasn’t too far removed from being nails in the postseason. His four-year run as the ninth-inning man in Houston was capped off by some incredible work in October.

Well, motivated or not, Pressly just doesn’t have it anymore.

He began the season by recording a 2.08 ERA in his first 13 games. However, that number was extremely deceitful as Pressly was giving up hard contact, barely striking anyone out and overall not fooling hitters with his pitching arsenal.

Then, Pressly entered in the 10th inning on May 6, against the San Francisco Giants.

He didn’t get away with his subpar stuff then and was pushed down the depth chart in the Cubs bullpen following his record-setting appearance.

The veteran did rebound during the next month, stringing together 15 straight scoreless innings. He struck out 14 batters and walked three in 15 innings of work, while his ground ball rate increased above 50%. Still, outside of a couple strong appearances, Pressly just wasn’t convincing on the mound.

And well we’re back to Pressly not getting away with his mistakes again. In his last 14 games the righty has given up 14 hits, nine earned runs, while only striking out nine and walking six. However, the biggest red flag is that Pressly has now given up five home runs in the 13.1 innings.

Pressly now has a 4.35 ERA this season. His strikeout rate, which was already a concern because it had dropped significantly during the past few years, has gone down to 15.4%. That’s ninth worst among 169 qualified relievers through July 29.

It’s time to cut bait on Pressly. The bullpen is regressing hard during the month of July and while getting rid of Chris Flexen was a good first step, Hoyer has to admit his mistake and move on from Pressly as well before he continues to hurt the Cubs even more down the stretch.

White Sox Start Deadline Dealings In A Trade With The Yankees

By
Craig Rowland
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Jul 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Austin Slater (15) hits a one run single against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

As we sit just one day away from the trading deadline, the White Sox have been very quiet, as there haven’t been too many significant rumors outside of what the White Sox plan to do with Luis Robert Jr. However, that just changed, as news broke of the White Sox first trade at the deadline.

According to Jeff Passan, the White Sox have sent outfielder Austin Slater to the New York Yankees. There were some rumblings of this the other day, and now it actually comes to fruition.

This is exactly why the White Sox signed Slater in the offseason, as they hoped that he would play well enough, especially against lefties, to entice a team in the playoff hunt to make a trade for him at the deadline.

Slater could be a nice addition to the Yankees, as he is hitting .236 with a .299 OBP and a .722 OPS. He has added five homeruns and 11 RBIs. He has been a lefty masher, as he has hit .261 with a .338 OBP against lefties this year. He has hit all five of his homeruns against lefties and eight of his RBIs have come against lefties, all while having a very solid .860 OPS.

Jack Curry reports that the White Sox will receive AA pitcher Gage Ziehl in return for Austin Slater.

Ziehl is the Yankees 18th ranked prospect on their MLB Pipeline top-30 list. He has a 4.15 ERA over 82.1 innings, striking out 70 batters in those innings. Ziehl was a fourth round pick in last year’s draft.

This should set off a flurry of trades for the White Sox, as they have plenty of moves to be made before tomorrow’s 5 P.M. deadline.

Upcoming Roster Move Could Signal Blockbuster Trade for Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
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Jul 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (8) is helped off the field by a Chicago Cubs trainer and manager Craig Counsell (11) after fouling a ball off his foot against the Milwaukee Brewers in the eighth inning at American Family Field. Happ did not return to bat after being taken out of the game. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ is reportedly heading to the injured list after he fouled a ball off his left shin in Tuesday night’s 9-3 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s a bummer for Happ, who was starting to break out of his slump since he was removed from the leadoff spot. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported that the Cubs are calling up one of their top prospects to replace Happ on the active roster, but it’s surprisingly not one of the outfield prospects.

Cubs Calling Up Moises Ballesteros

Who knows, it could be as simple as the Cubs trusting Moises Ballesteros against MLB pitching more than Owen Caissie at this point, but seeing that the Cubs just lost one of their corner outfielders, it made sense to think Caissie could have been the one promoted. Instead, the Cubs are planning to bring up Ballesteros from Triple-A prior to Wednesday’s series finale in Milwaukee.

Ballesteros was also called up earlier this season, when Happ went on the injured list in May because of an oblique strain. The left-handed hitting prospect was 3-for-16, with two walks in five games. At Triple-A this season Ballesteros is hitting .332/.393/.496, with nine home runs in 379 plate appearances.

The 21-year-old prospect has been red-hot in July, hitting .351, with a 930 OPS across 19 games.

Owen Caissie Trade Rumors

Again, maybe the Cubs feel that Ballesteros is better suited to face MLB pitching right now, but this could have been a prime opportunity to give Owen Caissie some action. Maybe the Cubs are close to trading him?

Caissie, who the Cubs acquired in 2020 from the San Diego Padres in the Yu Darvish trade, has been in trade rumors for a while. His name was popular last winter and the Cubs were reportedly close to dealing him for Jesus Luzardo in December. That trade eventually fell through after the Cubs weren’t satisfied with the Miami Marlins’ pitcher’s medical report. Luzardo was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and Caissie remained with the Cubs.

Now, Caissie is the No. 1 prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system according to MLB Pipeline’s rankings. The left-handed hitting outfielder got off to a slow start in 2025, but is now up to a 137 wRC+ in 82 games.

The 23-year-old outfielder has been on a tear since May 31, posting a 1.086 OPS and 172 wRC+ in his last 40 games. During that stretch Caissie has crushed 13 of his 20 home runs on the year, while slashing .320/.412/.673, in 177 plate appearances.

According to a recent report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs are willing to trade Caissie for Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller.

Via USA Today.

“The Cubs desperately want another starter at the deadline, targeting Mitch Keller of the Pirates, and would include outfield prospect Owen Caissie to make it work.”

That report was a bit surprising because Keller isn’t necessarily seen as one of the top pitchers available on the trade market. He’s been better this year, posting a 3.69 ERA in 22 starts, but the rest of his contract certainly drives Keller’s value down.

Regardless, we know that Caissie’s name is involved in trade talks. We also know that the Cubs aren’t dealing him for a rental at this year’s trade deadline, so if Caissie is departing then it’ll be for a pitcher that is under team control for multiple years.

Edward Cabrera, Sandy Alcantara, Joe Ryan and MacKenzie Gore are among the top starting pitchers the Cubs have been linked to this summer. Elite relievers such as Jhoan Duran, Cade Smith, Pete Fairbanks, Griffin Jax and David Bednar have also been connected to the Cubs in trade rumors. You can add Emmanuel Clase too, but he’s a bit tied up now.

Chicago Bears Offense Made One Huge Change No One Is Talking About

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Jul 24, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs on the field during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears offense was rough last season. There were plenty of reasons for it. Horrible coaching was a big one, as was subpar pass protection and reliance on a rookie quarterback. Yet one thing that wasn’t talked about much was the general lack of complexity. It was evident almost immediately that former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron didn’t put much credence in diversity. He ran the same set of formations and expected players to execute it properly, even if they weren’t always equipped to do so.

Ben Johnson threw that idea in the trash the moment he arrived. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, one of the biggest changes the Bears head coach has made involves an undervalued part of modern offenses.

“The offense has had issues getting to the line of scrimmage quickly and adjusting with a lot more pre-snap motion. The players still are learning the offense. I’d expect it to be better, but again — and this isn’t a cop-out answer — let’s give this time. It should be better by this time next week, and by Week 1 things should be ironed out.”

Motion on offense has been around forever, but teams haven’t always embraced it because it can make a system tougher to learn. However, the benefits are obvious. Motion helps the offense learn what coverage defenses are playing while also creating mismatches for wide receivers and tight ends.

The Chicago Bears learned this lesson the hard way.

Last year, they were the fourth-lowest team in the NFL in motion percentage at 46.22%. Conversely, Johnson’s Detroit Lions team ranked third-most at 82.64%. Here is the ranking in total offense for the top five teams in motion rate.

  • Miami Dolphins: 18th
  • Green Bay Packers: 5th
  • Detroit Lions: 2nd
  • San Francisco 49ers: 4th
  • Buffalo Bills: 10th

Keep in mind that Tua Tagovailoa missed six games with injuries for Miami last season, so that ranking likely would’ve been higher. The pattern is pretty clear. Teams that use lots of motion tend to have more success. What makes this so crazy is that the Chicago Bears pretty much invented this style of offense with their iconic T-formation in the 1940s. It helped them win four championships. One would think they would’ve kept it as part of their identity moving forward.

The fact it took a coach from a division rival to bring it back is semi-embarrassing. Still, it feels like sanity is finally prevailing once again at Halas Hall.

Former Player Drops Shocker For Most Improved Chicago Bears Name

By
Erik Lambert
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kiran amegadjie
May 10, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (72) during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears need more than just the arrival of outside help to make this team successful. What they need most is for the guys already on the roster to take big steps forward. It starts with Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and the other prominent draft picks from last year. The first full week of training camp is almost in the books. Players have practiced in pads twice over the past 48 hours, giving those in attendance their first chances to truly evaluate the roster. Certain names have flashed more than a few times.

However, former tight end Clay Harbor believes one has stood above the rest. It’s not Odunze or even 1st round pick Colston Loveland. It is Kiran Amegadjie. People weren’t talking about the former 3rd round pick from last year much. That isn’t a surprise, despite him being squarely in the competition for left tackle. Most believed it was more of a two-man race between Braxton Jones and rookie 2nd round pick Ozzy Trapilo. That may be true, but Harbor thinks Amegadjie’s progress from last year is impossible to miss.

The Chicago Bears should be thrilled with this development.

Even if Amegadjie doesn’t end up winning the left tackle job, it means the team is suddenly deep at one of the most important positions in football. If Jones manages to keep his spot, the Chicago Bears will have him and Trapilo in reserve to play either tackle spot in the event of injuries. Most teams would kill for that kind of flexibility. It is refreshing to see investments in the offensive line for once. Over the past three offseasons, GM Ryan Poles has spent 1st, 3rd, and 2nd round picks on tackles. We know Darnell Wright can play. Buzz is picking up on Trapilo. If Amegadjie is the real deal too, this team is suddenly strong in an area they’ve been weak in for most of the past decade.

Kannapolis Prospects Make Major Statement In July

By
Craig Rowland
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Okemos' Caleb Bonemer swings at a Mason pitch during the seventh inning on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Mason High School.

The White Sox are currently focused on building for the future, as they are expected to be very busy over the next two days as we approach the trade deadline. The future starts with the farm system, as the White Sox already have a solid foundation of prospects in their system.

There is talent at each level in the minor leagues, as the White Sox have done a good job over the last few yeas of drafting and adding players with different timelines to the major leagues. Prior to what will likely be significant additions to the farm system before Thursday at 5 P.M., we can take a look at each level to see who’s performed well over the last month.

We first start off with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the low-A affiliate of the White Sox. The roster is likely to change over the next few weeks, as some of their draft picks will report to Kannapolis when they start their affiliated career.

Caleb Bonemer

The first prospect that had a good month with the Cannon Ballers is Caleb Bonemer, the White Sox second round pick in last year’s draft. Bonemer was recently added to the MLB Pipeline top-100 list, so there is a good amount of hype surrounding Bonemer to this point in his career.

After a June that saw Bonemer hit just .192, he had a much better July. In 69 at-bats, Bonemer hit .261 with a .363 OBP and a .493 slugging percentage. He added three homeruns, 12 RBIs, three stolen bases, and walked 10 times compared to just 13 strikeouts.

This was a nice bounce back for Bonemer, as he started off hot in the month of May but cooled down significantly in June. Bonemer has a ton of potential, as he has shown that he can consistently get on base, as well as provide a nice power and speed combination.

Bonemer could get a late season promotion to the Winston-Salem Dash as the season winds down, as moves will need to be made to the Cannon Ballers roster when the 2025 draft picks get assigned to the team.

Pierce George

Sticking with the theme of 2024 draft picks, 13th rounder Pierce George had a fantastic month of June. In nine innings as a reliever, George gave up just one run while striking out nine.

That wasn’t all, as opposing hitters only hit .133 against him in July, as he gave up just four hits. This was what the White Sox wanted to see out of George, as he lowered his ERA by almost two runs in the month.

While George walked seven batters, he was able to limit the damage and only allowed the one run to score. Walks have been a challenge for George since joining the organization, but George’s 100 MPH fastball is difficult for hitters to pickup if he can locate it.

George is a work in progress, but if he can work on cutting down the walks he could be a dominant pitcher, as he doesn’t give up many hits and gets a ton of swings and misses.

Kannapolis features some very intriguing prospects and it will be very fun to see them progress through the minor leagues as they work their way to Chicago.

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