Shane Smith emerged as a rotation spark, flirting with a near-perfect start and finishing with 146 innings (career-high climb). A Rule 5 pick who showed growth and ceiling, he stands as a potential anchor piece in a developing Sox rotation.

Rule 5 pick Shane Smith surged to the All-Star frame in his breakout year with a near-perfect late outing.

<p>Rule 5 pick Shane Smith carried a perfect-game bid into the sixth and struck out eight in six innings, underscoring ace-like potential as a rookie in 2025.</p><p>His durability and ceiling make him a central piece for Chicago’s 2026 rotation, provided workload management and development stay on track.</p>

Shane Smith represents the hopeful rookie surge for the White Sox as they navigate another tough season, a beacon of rotation potential in a rebuilding era.

Chicago rookie pitched five innings of one-run ball, showing promise with eight strikeouts but also a higher walk count.