Noah Schultz, often compared to Randy Johnson, is poised to make his first big league start today against the Rays. The White Sox are calling him up with the hope that he’ll continue one tradition and buck another.
Chicago’s History with Left-Handed Pitchers
Chicago has excelled in recent years at developing left-handed pitchers into All-Stars. Chris Sale, Carlos Rodón, and Garrett Crochet are examples of this success. The White Sox hope to replicate this with Schultz and Hagen Smith.
Schultz, a product of Oswego East HS, is the fifth White Sox first-rounder from the Chicago area. Steve Trout is one local choice who earned 88 victories in 12 seasons in the Majors. Larry Monroe pitched just eight games at that level, while Grady Hall and Kris Honel never made it to the Majors.
The Sox have had limited success mining their own backyard in 60 years of the Draft. Trout and Dennis O’Toole are their only local choices to post positive Wins Above Replacement totals.
Schultz’s Journey to the Majors
Ranked No. 45 on the Top 100, Schultz has recorded a 2.03 ERA and a .191 opponent average in his first two pro seasons. He also had a 153/30 K/BB ratio. At 20 years old in 2024, he won Double-A Southern League Pitcher of the Year accolades.
After battling tendinitis in his right knee last season, Schultz rarely looked his best. He made just five Triple-A starts in the second half of last year and got tagged for a 9.37 ERA.
Healthy again this spring, he has logged a 1.29 ERA in his return to Charlotte. He has permitted just six baserunners in 14 innings while striking out 19 of the 47 batters he has faced.
Schultz’s Pitching Arsenal
Schultz’s two best pitches are back to peak efficiency now that his knee no longer bothers him. He has one of the best sliders in the game, using his 6-foot-10 frame and low arm slot to create huge action that baffles lefties and righties. His slide piece has averaged 83 mph with 2,878 rpm and 16 inches of gloveside movement in 2026, up from just 11 inches of horizontal action while he was with Charlotte a year ago.
Schultz’s fastballs are up a tick in velocity. International League hitters are batting just .143/.182/.286 against his mid-90s two- and four-seamers, down from .310/.378/.448 in 2025. He has had success working an upper-80s cutter into his mix more frequently this spring, making it his second-most used offering behind his sinker. He also employs a big-breaking low-80s curveball and a fading upper-80s changeup.
Schultz comes with one of the highest ceilings among baseball’s pitching prospects.