Grady Sizemore’s 2024 stint as Chicago’s interim manager planted the seed of a culture-led rebuild. Under Will Venable’s offensive-staff framework, the White Sox pivoted from chasing quick wins to developing the “best version” of each player, prioritizing accountability, discipline, and new attitudes. The club closed the year on a sharper second half, hinting at tangible growth even as losses mounted.

Colson Montgomery and a rookies-heavy roster became a focal point of the reframed mission, with Thames and McKeithan driving message delivery and on-field tweaks. Sizemore, while not ruling out a future return to the dugout, emphasized learning and preparation to ensure readiness should another managerial opportunity arise. The Braves’ 1-0 win and the Rockies’ historic loss pace underscore the uphill climb, but the Sox insist the culture shift is the true prize, not the immediate win total.

In this evolving narrative, the Sox aim to lose fewer games, build a sustainable foundation, and foster a winning mindset even through setbacks. The multiple layers—Sizemore’s leadership, Venable’s staff, and the rookie-driven roster—signal a patient but persistent path back toward competitiveness, with growth as the main metric of success.

Fantasy players should watch how the hitters adapt to new coaching and how Montgomery and fellow rookies tackle adjusted approaches in 2025. The takeaway is clear: a culture-first rebuild can unlock upside in young talent when paired with disciplined development and clear standards.

The Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves played a pitching-focus finale after a 43-run opening duo, as Martín Pérez returned from the 60-day IL and limited Atlanta to one unearned run over 5 1/3 in a 1-0 loss. Hurston Waldrep matched the run-stopping theme with seven scoreless innings, using a splitter that kept Chicago's bats quiet for most of the night. The Sox totaled four singles (Tauchman, Robert Jr., Mead, Montgomery) and could not muster more than one run in the decider.

Ozuna delivered the Braves' lone RBI with a fourth-inning double, then advanced on a grounder mishandled by Colson Montgomery, allowing Ozuna to score. Atlanta nailed down two of three in the series as the Sox went 1-5 on the trip, a reminder that even with Pérez back in form, the offense remains uneven. Sox manager Will Venable lauded Pérez’s rhythm and the front-door sinker that worked to right-handed hitters, signaling some encouraging depth amid a volatile six weeks left in the season.

While the series had flashes of life (the 13-9 and 11-10 swings in the first two games), Wednesday’s contrast underscored how small gaps decide tight games. For Chicago, the returns of Pérez and a few competitive plate appearances are a hopeful sign; for Atlanta, Waldrep’s mastery provides a durable, high-upside pillar as the Braves push toward a playoff run.

Chicago White Sox exploded for a season-best 13 runs in Atlanta, snapping a four-game skid with a shootout victory over the Braves. The offense finally woke up behind a trio of long balls and a six-run fourth inning that turned a lopsided game into a showcase for projection hits and depth pieces. Colson Montgomery left with left-side soreness, but young bats carried the day as Lenyn Sosa anchored the middle of the lineup with a 439-foot two-run shot in the sixth and a run-scoring single earlier in the contest. Brooks Baldwin set the tone with a 404-foot solo blast off Spencer Strider in the third, and Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth added timely hits to keep the pressure on. Luis Robert Jr. joined the party with a two-run homer, ending a two-week drought and signaling a much-needed spark from the heart of the lineup. The Sox piled on after chasing Strider, taking advantage of a short bullpen night for Atlanta and padding the cushion late with Teel’s solo shot and Meidroth’s RBI hits to seal a 13-9 win. On the mound, Yoendrys Gómez navigated five innings with three earned runs as Atlanta briefly climbed back into it, while the White Sox announced a rotation shakeup, with Martin Pérez returning to start in Atlanta and Owen White being recalled to the bullpen. Outside the game, Colorado’s sinking season continued as the Rockies flirted with history, while Dodgers’ scraps of the past hinted at the broader sport’s volatility and the White Sox’s willingness to ride their young core to offensive upside.

White Sox rebuilding with patient conviction: Will Venable and Chris Getz are balancing a young, talent-rich pipeline with the need to win now and in the long run. Chase Meidroth returns to fortify a reshaped infield alongside Colson Montgomery, with Miguel Vargas penciled in at first and Curtis Mead and Lenyn Sosa pushing for everyday at-bats in a lineup still short on big-league experience. Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel share catching duties as Chicago experiments, while Braden Montgomery’s rise and a handful of prized prospects fuel the long-term plan.

Montgomery’s Birmingham breakout (.308/.392/.477 across 17 games) and the Crochet–era acquisitions (Meidroth, Teel, Gonzalez) spotlight a pipeline stacked with upside. The Banana Ball cameo by Sox legends adds culture and energy to the rebuild, underscoring a franchise intent on sustainability and development. The challenge remains everyday consistency, but the blueprint is clear: durability and growth at the top, with at-bats doled out to maximize future value.

Waiver Wire Watch returns with four standout under-40% rostered MLB adds. Colson Montgomery sits at 39% rostered, carrying a big upside despite a recent dip in contact; his 119 Process+ since mid-July signals a hitter with power and a chance for a steady role. Sal Frelick is a daily job in Milwaukee, piloting a 18-steal pace and a .294 clip in his last 15 games, making him a dependable multi-category asset. Jordan Beck has surged for Colorado, hitting .326 with four homers and 13 RBI across 26 games, and the Coors Field factor only heightens his upside. Lenyn Sosa is entrenched in an everyday role with a 113 Process+ since July 15, delivering a .293/.343/.511 line with four homers in 25 games. These names offer a mix of safety and upside for mixed leagues seeking cheap wins down the stretch.