Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Shane Smith tossed six shutout innings during his second career MLB start on Tuesday afternoon against the Cleveland Guardians. He allowed just two hits and held a strong 1:6 BB:K. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but his bid was spoiled by third baseman Jose Ramirez. In Smith's first outing of the season on April 1, he tossed five 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the Minnesota Twins. In that outing, he struck out just three batters and served up four free passes. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development, but he appears to be taking consistent steps forward. Smith is lined up to face the Boston Red Sox in his next start. Given his strong showing on Tuesday, he is worth a look in deeper 15+ team formats.
MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that Chicago White Sox right-hander Shane Smith has earned a spot in the team's starting rotation to begin the 2025 regular season. Smith will be making his major-league debut when he toes the rubber for the first time. The 24-year-old Wake Forest product earned the rotation spot this spring by posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks in four Grapefruit League starts covering 10 2/3 innings. He ends up beating out right-hander Bryse Wilson for the fifth rotation spot. Smith, a Rule 5 draft pick, must stick on Chicago's MLB roster all year or be offered back to the Milwaukee Brewers. In 32 appearances (16 starts) for Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville last year, he had a 3.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 113 K's and 29 walks in 94 1/3 innings. Smith is in play as rotation depth in AL-only leagues.
White Sox pitching prospect Shane Smith has made the team's Opening Day roster after four spring starts in which he allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out 11 in 10 2/3 innings pitched. Chicago selected the righty in December's Rule 5 Draft from the Brewers' organization, so he'll need to stick with the White Sox all season or he'll be returned to the Brewers. The 6-foot-3 hurler worked as both a starter and reliever last season at Double-A but exclusively as a reliever at Triple-A, posting a 3.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a strong 22.0 percent K-BB% over a total of 94 1/3 IP. He and Bryse Wilson were competing for the final rotation spot and it isn't clear which one will earn the job, but both can work as either a starter or reliever. If it is Smith who earns the job, he could be worthy of a roster spot in deeper leagues with his strikeout ability, although don't expect too many wins given his environment.
White Sox Expected To Select Shane Smith In Rule 5 Draft
The Rule 5 Draft will take place Wednesday at 2 p.m. EST, and the Chicago White Sox have the first pick after finishing last season with the worst record in baseball. The team is reportedly set to pick pitcher Shane Smith from the Brewers' organization. The 24-year-old spent most of his time last season at Double-A, pitching to a 3.08 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a strong 22.6% K-BB% over 87 2/3 innings (27 appearances, 16 starts). The righty tossed six-and-two-thirds innings of relief at Triple-A as well, allowing two earned runs with a 3:7 BB:K. With the selection, Smith will be put on Chicago's 40-man roster. Last season, 10 players were selected in the Rule 5 Draft, with six of those players sticking on the roster for the entire season.
Shane Smith
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White Sox
