White Sox Prospects Fueled Playoff Push
Acquisitions from the 2024 Garrett Crochet trade have propelled the White Sox to a 2-0 series lead over Cleveland.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Baseball
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The Chicago White Sox have taken a 2-0 series lead in the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Key contributors include young players acquired from the Boston Red Sox in December 2024.
Why it matters
The team's rapid turnaround from a 41-121 record in 2024 highlights the success of a strategic rebuild aimed at acquiring long-term prospects. The Red Sox had initiated the deal to secure an ace pitcher for their own roster.
Chase Meidroth recorded a 4.5 WAR with 31 doubles, 16 home runs, and 63 RBI during the 2026 season. In Game 2, Braden Montgomery added a two-run double in the sixth inning to bolster the team's victory.
The players
Chase Meidroth
He is a central prospect acquired by the White Sox who finished the 2026 season with a 4.5 WAR.
Braden Montgomery
He is an outfielder whose postseason contributions include a crucial two-run double in the ALDS.
Garrett Crochet
He is a high-performing pitcher traded by the White Sox to the Red Sox in 2024 after previously recording an 18-5 record.
Chicago White Sox
This professional baseball team is currently competing in the 2026 ALDS following a major organizational rebuild.
Cleveland Guardians
This professional baseball team is the current opponent of the Chicago White Sox in the 2026 American League Division Series.
The details
Chase Meidroth delivered an RBI single in Game 2 to help secure the win against the Cleveland Guardians. These performances follow the December 2024 trade where the White Sox parted with pitcher Garrett Crochet to acquire a package featuring Meidroth, Montgomery, Wikelman Gonzalez, and Kyle Teel.
Timeline
December 2024 marked the trade between the Red Sox and White Sox.
The 2025 season saw Garrett Crochet finish as the runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award.
June 2026 included Braden Montgomery hitting a walk-off home run in his MLB debut.
October 2026 is when the Chicago White Sox competed in the ALDS.
Season Trajectory
The White Sox are one win away from their first trip to the ALCS since 2005. This postseason success validates the front office's decision to pivot toward a prospect-heavy roster following a historically poor 2024 campaign.
The team holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, meaning they need only one more victory to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Chase Meidroth and Braden Montgomery have established themselves as core contributors to the starting lineup for the remainder of the postseason.
The takeaway
The rapid development of the prospects acquired in the 2024 trade has fundamentally altered the competitive outlook for the Chicago franchise. Fans are now seeing the immediate results of a rebuilding process that prioritizes long-term talent acquisition over established veteran contracts.
What happens next
The White Sox aim to clinch the series with a third win, which would secure their first trip to the American League Championship Series since 2005.
Further reading
For more on the team's postseason run, visit the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boston.
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