Christmas Comes Early for the Charlotte Knights

Recently Draft Carolina had fun with suggestions for Carolina teams by suggesting gifts that could be purchased for them on Black Friday. There was no way of knowing what, if any, of the suggestions might come true. With last week’s blockbuster trade between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox, the desire for the Knights to have more prospects to take the field in 2025 has already been fulfilled.

In return for ace LHP Garrett Crochet, the White Sox received C Kyle Teel, OF Braden Montgomery, INF Chase Meidroth, and RHP Wikelman Gonzalez. All four prospects were immediately placed in MLB Pipeline’s top 20 White Sox prospects, with Teel at #2, Montgomery at #5, Meidroth at #13 and Gonzalez at #14. With one transaction, the Chicago farm system is overflowing with high-end talent. Knights’ fans can reasonably expect to see a majority of the new players in Charlotte this coming season. 

The headliner of the new players is Teel, the 14th overall selection in the 2023 draft out of Virginia. Teel and #6 prospect Edgard Quero should form a talented backstopping duo for years to come. If neither seizes the starting job in Chicago, both will begin the season in Charlotte. The Knights can platoon the two as Teel is a left handed hitter and Quero is a switch hitter who is more productive from his right side. Splitting time will save wear and tear on both and allow the White Sox to determine if one of the catchers needs to change positions. If that is the case, Quero is the most likely candidate as Teel has superior framing and throwing abilities.

Montgomery was taken 12th overall last July. He is a multi-tool player that needs a little refinement. He possesses immense power and has an elite arm that should allow him to become a potential All-Star corner outfielder. He lasted until the 12th pick because of a broken ankle suffered while sliding into home during regional play of the College World Series. The injury cost him the chance to make his professional debut after signing in the summer. Because of his lack of experience, Montgomery will probably begin the season at A ball. He has the toolset to move rapidly through the system. The chances of him playing in Charlotte in 2025 are remote but not out of the question. If he does not make his Knights debut in 2025, he is a solid bet to reach Charlotte during the 2026 season. He could move in tandem with the White Sox #9 prospect, OF George Wolkow, another slugger who has already spent a season at Low A Kannapolis. The two could shortly become fan favorites at Truist Field with the number of balls they launch into the outfield bleachers. 

Meidroth was drafted in the 4th round, 129th overall, in 2022. He has the contact ability and strike zone management to be a table setter for the Knights, having reached Triple A Worchester in 2024. He is not a standout defender and profiles best at second base. However, #4 prospect Colson Montgomery is ticketed to begin the season in Charlotte, and unless he is moved to third base, he will be the opening day second baseman. Meidroth’s likely place on a MLB roster is as a utility player. He could see regular action if Colson Montgomery is promoted to Chicago early in 2025.

Gonzalez is the lottery ticket of the four new prospects. Signed by Boston out of Venezuela in 2018, he is a hard throwing strikeout machine. In 2023 he led the minors with a 13.5 K/9IP and 35% strikeout rate. His ascendency through the minors has been slowed by wildness, inconsistent mechanics, and self-doubt. When he stays within himself, he is lights out with a fastball that sits at 97 MPH. That heat keeps batters off balance against his upper 70s curveball and mid-80s slider. He reached Double A Portland in the Boston system last season and will probably begin 2025 at Double A Birmingham, where he could be joined with #1 prospect LHP Noah Schultz and last year’s top pick and #3 prospect LHP Hagen Smith. If Gonzalez puts all the puzzle pieces together, the trio might be the best in minor league baseball. If he cannot establish consistency, Gonzalez could be closing out games for the other two. By mid-season 2025 it would not be a stretch that all three will join the Knights.

Being the Triple A affiliate of the team that posted the worst record in modern major league history can be a depressing ordeal. Any prospect who could help was recalled to Chicago. Prospects in the lower levels remained there so as not to shatter their confidence, leaving the Knights’ roster populated with journeymen and no names. That should not be the case in 2025. The White Sox top six prospects should all suit up in Charlotte for a portion of the season. Schultz, Smith, and Gonzalez, could join holdovers #10 prospect RHP Mason Adams and #24 prospect LHP Tyler Schweitzer in forming a loaded staff. The prospect cart could be supplemented by a potential trade of Chicago CF Luis Robert, Jr, who would fetch additional talent laden prospects.

Things will remain bleak with the parent club in 2025. But for fans of the Knights, the upcoming season will provide a glimpse into a hopefully brighter summer. People won’t know for sure what presents are waiting for them under the tree until next week. But for Charlotte fans, the few early presents opened last week should put a smile on their faces.