The 2022 season was bad and boy has 2023 been even worse for the Chicago White Sox. But hey, how about some positive news. The White Sox now have two prospects ranked in the top-50 according to Baseball America’s updated rankings.

The mid-season list came out on Friday and everyone knew shortstop Colson Montgomery was a no-doubt name to appear in the rankings, as the shortstop was rated 39th before the start of the regular season. The big revelation was 19-year-old pitcher Noah Schultz, who didn’t just crack Baseball America’s top-100, the left-handed starting pitcher is ranked in the top-50.

White Sox Prospects in Baseball America’s Top-100

Colson Montgomery: No. 30
Noah Schultz: No. 44

The White Sox selected Schultz with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. The 6-foot-9 left-hander pitched at Oswego East and although he didn’t make his pro debut until last month, it’s easy to see why prospect observers love him.

Schultz’s 2023 season was delayed, as he was shut down in April because of a forearm strain that he suffered during spring training. On June 2, the lefty made his first appearance in the minor leagues, starting at low A-Ball with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Schultz dazzled in his first start, striking out five batters, while giving up just one hit in two innings.

Overall, Schultz has pitched in five games at low A-Ball and he hasn’t given up an earned run in 12 innings. Impressive, but what’s even more ridiculous is that Schultz has only allowed one hit, while striking out 16 batters.

I mean, at 6-foot-9, coming from the left side, yeah that’s a brutal at-bat for these guys in A-Ball.

As for Montgomery, the shortstop was also sidelined to begin the 2023 season. At first he was dealing with an oblique strain, which Montgomery suffered early in Cactus League action during spring training. The team initially thought their 2021 first-round pick would be able to come back by the end of April, but then Montgomery had a setback, as he was dealing with a back strain.

Fortunately, Montgomery returned in June, when he was first assignment to rookie ball in the Arizona Complex League. After two weeks of getting his groove back, the White Sox officially activated Montgomery from the injured list and assigned him to the Winston-Salem Dash in early July.

So far in five games at Advanced A-Ball, Montgomery is showing off his great hitting skills, going 11-for-19, with 6 walks.

Last year Montgomery made it up to Double-A by the end of the minor league season. In his first full season as a pro, Montgomery slashed .274/.381/.429, with 11 home runs.