Minor League Baseball

Chicago White Sox Prospect Shane Smith Mows Down Los Angeles Dodgers Stars

Shane Smith, the No. 26 prospect in the Chicago White Sox's farm system, struck out Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith in the first inning of Saturday's spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sam Connon|
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Shane Smith (64) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Shane Smith (64) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

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Chicago White SoxLos Angeles Dodgers

Shane Smith may not have a fraction of the star power that some of the Los Angeles Dodgers' top bats boast, but the Chicago White Sox right-hander still managed to get a leg up on them Saturday.

The Dodgers and White Sox were going head-to-head in a Cactus League contest, with Smith drawing the start for Chicago. The first batter Smith faced was reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani, who he got to strike out swinging.

After giving up a single to Mookie Betts, Smith struck out Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.

Shane Smith plunked Max Muncy to open the second, but he proceeded to escape the frame otherwise unscathed. He strung together a 1-2-3 inning in the third, featuring another strikeout against Ohtani and a fly out from Betts.

In 3.0 innings of work, Smith racked up five strikeouts. 32 of his 49 pitches were strikes, while just two of the nine batters he faced got on base.

MLB Pipeline has the 24-year-old righty ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the White Sox's farm system.

Chicago acquired Smith in December, poaching him from the Milwaukee Brewers with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. So while he has yet to make his MLB debut, he will have to take up a spot on the White Sox's active 26-man roster whenever he is not injured this season.

Smith's first appearance in spring training made it difficult to envision him succeeding at the MLB level so soon, as he gave up one hit, three walks and four earned runs in 1.2 innings against the Texas Rangers. In the 5.0 innings he as pitched since, though, Smith has allowed just one hit, zero walks and zero runs with eight strikeouts.

As things stand, Smith is likely to open 2025 coming out of the White Sox's bullpen. He spent most of last season as a swingman in Double-A, however, so he could prove capable as a replacement starter when necessary.

Related MiLB Stories

  • ANTHONY LOSES 10 LBS: Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony returned to spring training camp this weekend after battling a brutal stomach bug. CLICK HERE
  • CAMINERO RETURNS TO LINEUP: The Rays were only without third baseman Junior Caminero for two games as he recovered from low back tightness. CLICK HERE
  • TEEL TAKES SASAKI DEEP: White Sox catching prospect hit a home run off Dodgers pitching prospect Roki Sasaki in a simulated game down at spring training Tuesday. CLICK HERE

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer for “Minor League Baseball on SI’’ and other "On SI'' baseball sites. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for “UCLA on SI’’ and won awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for “New England Patriots on SI’’ and was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow Sam on Twitter @SamConnon.

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