White Sox Pitching Falters in Loss to Kansas City

SURPRISE, Ariz.—The White Sox dropped a 10-4 decision to the Royals on Monday afternoon, but the Cactus League scoreboard was never the story. While Kansas City pounded out 15 hits and capitalized on three Chicago relievers who combined to allow nine runs, the only development that mattered to the South Siders came in the third inning, when 2024 first-round pick Hagen Smith took the mound and looked every bit the front-line starter the organization envisioned on draft day.

Smith needed only 26 pitches to navigate two frames, striking out five of the six outs he recorded and walking just one. The 22-year-old left-hander sat 95-97 mph with his fastball, snapped off a mid-80s slider that drew three swinging strikes, and buried a change-up for a punch-out of Royals top prospect Gavin Cross. It was the clearest evidence yet that Smith’s off-season mechanical tweaks—shortening his arm path and firming up his front side—have translated into game action.

“He was absolutely filthy,” one scout in attendance said. “That’s the guy you take fifth overall and don’t look back.”

The rest of the afternoon served as a reminder of how thin the major-league pitching depth remains. Right-hander Erick Fedde, penciled in as the No. 3 starter, was tagged for seven hits and three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, his velocity down a tick and his splitter lacking finish. Rule 5 pick Alexander Alberto followed and was roughed up for four runs (two earned) on four hits in one inning, likely sealing his return to the Rays organization. Fellow bullpen candidate Brandon Eisert gave up three runs on four hits in 1 1/3 frames, pushing his spring ERA to 9.00.

Offensively, Miguel Vargas continued his torrid March, doubling twice and walking twice to raise his Cactus League OPS to 1.189. Catcher Edgar Quero drove in the Sox’ first run with a sharp single to right and threw out two would-be base-stealers. The remaining RBIs came from non-roster invitees Dustin Harris and Tanner Murray, long shots to break camp with the club.

Kansas City’s offense was paced by outfielder Lane Thomas, who produced the go-ahead runs with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, and by veteran Brandon Drury, who launched a two-run homer off Alberto. Infielder Peyton Wilson and catching prospect Luca Tresh added late insurance with solo shots against Sox minor-league relievers.

Chicago (13-10-1) will send right-hander Sean Burke to the mound Tuesday evening against the Rangers and offseason acquisition Mackenzie Gore. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.