The White Sox Might Not Be Good, But They Sure Are Fun
Jé Tania
April 14, 2026
The White Sox have a losing record. This is not a surprising statement about a team that set an MLB record for losses in the modern era with 121 of them in 2024. They followed that up in 2025 with a 60-win, 101-loss season, a slight improvement under then-new manager Will Venable. This year, they might turn a page.
Erin Hooley / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Tristan Peters celebrates a Walk-Off single with teammates.
That 2025 team had a lot of problems. Everywhere.
The White Sox ranked near the bottom in almost every offensive metric across the board, with the exception of stellar catcher play. Their pitching was even worse, ranking 29th in wins and losses and dead last in saves. Defensively, they did not fare any better, with just one player, rookie standout Colston Montgomery, ranking in the top 50 in defensive WAR. It was not a season to be particularly proud of.
This year feels different.
Some would call it an omen of good things to come, but a noticeable shift came when the White Sox walked away with the #1 draft pick in the 2026 draft. Low expectations might have been an unrecognized positive in 2025, allowing young talent the chance to get their feet wet in the majors without added pressure. The result was a farm system ranked #2 in 2025, which fell to #18 in 2026, but is set for a quick turnaround with 10 draft picks in the first 10 rounds and the highest bonus pool among MLB teams.
The White Sox also landed 26yo Munetaka Murakami, who averaged 33 home runs with a .273 batting average over eight seasons in the Japanese Major Leagues. He was not expected to land in Chicago, but fell into their hands amid questions about whether his hitting would translate to MLB. After hitting a home run in each of his first three games, mostly off mistakes in the middle of the plate, it seems the league is starting to adjust. Still, his eye has been impressive, drawing 13 walks through 16 games. Already nicknamed the ‘Southside Samurai,’ he has quickly endeared himself to fans, and there is a noticeable energy in the stadium when he steps to the plate. As we all know, hitting often comes with defensive comfort, and between learning first base for the first time during Spring Training and adjusting to a new culture and country, it is fair to say that once Murakami settles in, his bat will too.
Ross D. Franklin/AP Photos. Munetaka fielding at first base in White Sox uniform
If you build pitching, the wins will come.
Although early returns have shown some inconsistency in hitting production, the bats have come alive on warmer days, suggesting offense will not be the issue this year. But teams are only as good as their pitching and the defense behind them. Early in the season, non-quality starts from the rotation put stress on the bullpen, which led to a few games slipping away. As the pitching has settled, with the help of opener Grant Taylor, behind whom the Sox have gone 5-1, and closer Seranthony Domínguez, who is 3-1 in save opportunities, it looks like GM Chris Getz has started to pull the right strings.
The Final Cut
We will not pretend this White Sox team is a contender right now. They sit last in the Central with a 6-10 record. They have lost close games due to outfield blunders, untimely walks, and strikeouts in clutch moments, and their team batting average sits at .193. Last place, struggling, and frustrating are familiar feelings for Sox fans.
But the difference this year is that this team is fun.
They steal bases. They make quality throws. They have pitchers with the ability to dominate and real power in their bats. No, this White Sox team might not be good, but what they will not be this year is disappointing or boring. And as a fan, that is all you can ask for.
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