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**Sox Machine**

The Sox Machine podcast covers Chicago White Sox news, interviews, analysis, and more. Hosted by Josh Nelson, Jim Margalus, and James Fegan.
“We watch the Chicago White Sox so you don’t have to!”

Latest Episodes:

Top White Sox Prospects and 2025 MLB Draft Chat with Jim Callis May 18, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Jim Callis, MLB.com

Rundown

[Intro] Jim Callis would like a wellness check to see how White Sox fans are doing?
[8:05] Prospect review: Edgar Quero
[11:35] Prospect review: Kyle Teel
[14:53] Prospect review: Braden Montgomery
[20:04] Prospect review: Hagen Smith
[25:22] Prospect review: Noah Schultz
[28:34] Prospect review: Colson Montgomery
[31:24] Prospect review: Grant Taylor
[35:00] 2025 MLB Draft chat - the updated Sox Machine Top 100 draft prospect list will be released this week. Josh is fixated on a group of prep infielders for the White Sox at pick 10, and Jim helps guide on building a group of five targets.

White Sox win first road series of 2025 before Crosstown Classic May 16, 2025

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] The Chicago White Sox win a road series at Cincinnati in thanks to excellent pitching performances from Jonathan Cannon and Davis Martin. Are their arsenals getting better? Or are the Reds that bad at hitting? With the White Sox starters ERA now ranked 12th in MLB, does that grant more confidence in their overall ability?
[11:15] Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, and Matt Thaiss all have impressive OBP, but very low slugging percentages. When will opposing teams stop nibbling and challenge these hitters in the zone?
[24:54] White Sox trade for reliever Miguel Castro and claim infielder Vinny Capra
[34:03] Series Preview: Chicago Cubs. Can the White Sox pitchers hold up against the Cubs very good lineup?
[43:54] Luis Robert Jr. trade standing gets shakier. How many teams would offer multiple FV 45 grade prospects for Robert at this stage?

2025 First Quarter Grades May 12, 2025

Show notes

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Rundown

[Intro] Tim Elko made his MLB debut this weekend and has a big moment hitting a key three-run homer to help the White Sox win on Sunday. He shares what the experiences were like, and manager Will Venable provides a glimpse into his thought process of how future lineups will look with Elko in the fold.
[8:44] White Sox bench coach Walker McKinven comments about the first quarter performance.
[12:29] James Fegan and Jim Margalus join the show to comment about Elko's future role
[18:43] First Quarter Grade: Offense
[25:14] First Quarter Grade: Pitching
[31:02] First Quarter Grade: Defense
[37:16] First Quarter Grade: Coaching
[44:12] Series Preview: Cincinnati Reds
[52:42] Around MLB: The dumpster fire that's the Colorado Rockies

White Sox get barbequed in Kansas City May 09, 2025

Show notes

Reserve your Road Trip package: https://shop.soxmachine.com/products/pittsburgh-road-trip-108ing-package

Pre-order Road Trip gear: https://fromthe108.bigcartel.com/products

Rundown:

[Intro] The Chicago White Sox losing streak at Kauffman Stadium continues as they were swept in a four-game series. Big reason is the offense only scored four runs. Where did the hitting go from the previous series against Houston? What's with the roster management picking Nick Maton to replace the injured Andrew Benintendi?
[12:31] Andrew Vaughn committed an almost identical TOOTBLAN against the Royals as he did in Sacramento a couple of weeks ago. How do we feel about the contact play, and should it even be applied for a runner like Vaughn?
[21:19] Series Preview: Miami Marlins
[32:37] Former All-Star for the White Sox, Chet Lemon, passed away at the age of 70
[34:09] There's a new Pope, and he's a White Sox fan.

White Sox shock Astros thanks to bats May 05, 2025

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] Chicago White Sox hitting coach Marcus Thames shares what he has Luis Robert Jr., Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, and Edgar Quero focus on with their improvements.
[6:29] White Sox growing confidence with Edgar Quero
[13:02] Josh Rojas made his debut, and soon more veterans like Mike Tauchman, Austin Slater, and Korey Lee could join him in Chicago. How would this roster look if all four are available and healthy?
[24:47] Caleb Freeman joins the White Sox bullpen which could be shuffling pitchers between Chicago and Charlotte.
[33:23] Series Preview: Kansas City Royals. What are some ideas in getting Bobby Witt Jr. out? How the Royals starting staff continues to get better.
[41:08] Around MLB: Top of AL Central playing good baseball, Donnie Ecker goes from possible White Sox manager to being fired from the Texas Rangers, and Aaron Judge is on Triple Crown Watch.

Will April Struggles Bring Better May Vibes? May 02, 2025

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] Audio from White Sox GM Chris Getz and manager Will Venable about Andrew Vaughn, Tim Elko, and Miguel Vargas's hot streak
[5:08] April 2025 recap: Are we seeing enough progress to be confident in this rebuild?
[13:05] Are we feeling better about Luis Robert Jr.?
[20:45] Who were the brightest performances in April?
[25:11] What's our biggest concern entering the month of May?
[42:00] Who we are paying most attention to entering May
[50:43] Series Preview: Houston Astros

Time to option Andrew Vaughn Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] The case to option Andrew Vaughn. With this poor of a start, and an underwhelming career, Vaughn's poor play doesn't merit a spot on the 26-man roster
[7:10] Vaughn's batted ball data that's fueling the lack of results despite the hard hit rates.
[12:49] Revisiting what Detroit did last year with Spencer Torkelson and how that's paying off in 2025
[18:25] The case for and against Tim Elko being promoted
[31:25] Despite the high whiff rate when swinging at chase pitches, it's time to give Elko an opportunity in proving himself at the major league level.
[32:42] White Sox are using Openers, finally.
[37:17] Luis Robert Jr. showing signs of life over the weekend
[42:30] Our impressions of watching major league games in a minor league ballpark
[45:58] Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers. The Brew Crew struggle on the road but run at will. Can Edgar Quero help defend against the running game?
[54:31] Around MLB: Detroit Tigers have the best record in baseball, the Colorado Rockies will challenge 121 losses, and the Baltimore Orioles are in serious trouble.

White Sox finally find some success in Minneapolis Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Rundown

[Intro] For the first time in over two years, the Chicago White Sox won a game in Minneapolis in large thanks to Shane Smith. It's only been five starts, but Smith has been cooking for the White Sox and might be a diamond in the rough.
[12:43] Miguel Vargas makes a hand adjustment and pays dividends as he hit his first home run of the season. Is it time for him to catch on fire at the plate?
[17:19] Edgar Quero has gold bat wrap tape. Josh is giving the task to James to figure out if it's 24-karat gold.
[20:22] Bobby Dalbec now playing shortstop highlights how bad things have gotten at that position for the White Sox
[25:23] Where does Byron Buxton rank among White Sox Killers?
[32:06] Series Preview: Athletics. What is James most looking forward to in Sacramento? Why the White Sox are using Openers? Should we expect more offense in a minor league park?
[48:21] With the NFL Draft still going, a look at Josh's latest Mock Draft. Would it be a bad idea if the Chicago White Sox drafted another college starting pitcher in the first round? What needs to change in the next couple of months for a position player with power potential emerge at Pick 10?

Injuries continue to pile up as White Sox fall in Boston Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Record Date: 4/21/2025

Rundown

[Intro] After taking three out of four games against the White Sox, Boston must be feeling better about themselves.
[3:53] Martin Perez injured his throwing arm and has been placed on the 60-day IL. Why this particular injury will really test the White Sox pitching depth which was lacking in the first place.
[10:16] Chase Meidroth suffered a thumb injury with Charlotte and has only gotten worse with the major league club. Why Bobby Dalbec was called up to replace Meidroth as the White Sox offense is still looking for solutions.
[18:16] First impressions of Edgar Quero
[25:25] Josh has a "Fun Fact" about the White Sox bullpen as we are still waiting for the first Save of the season
[29:55] Series Preview: Minnesota Twins
[37:32] Around MLB: The Colorado Rockies are worse than the White Sox, Tristan McKenzie's fall from grace, and Mike Trout's odd batting numbers

FanGraphs Top 40 White Sox Prospects with Eric Longenhagen Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Eric Longenhagen, FanGraphs

Rundown

[Intro] Quick recap of the Chicago White Sox winning their first road game of the season and how the minor league affiliates are faring.
[3:21] FanGraphs lead prospect writer Eric Longenhagen joins the show, as well as fellow FanGraphs contributor, James Fegan. Start the conversation by addressing the farm system's health
[8:34] With David Keller taking over it feels like the White Sox international efforts are rebooting. How long does it take to restart international efforts and will that impact future farm system rankings for the White Sox?
[16:53] Noah Schultz is the White Sox #1 prospect. While there's plenty to like from Schultz, he does need to work on his fastballs.
[22:57] Longenhagen shares his thoughts comparing and contrasting Schultz and fellow southpaw, Hagen Smith
[31:12] Kyle Teel is the White Sox top-ranked position player prospect. Longenhagen shares why Teel has a unique set of skills that could make him a fixture for the White Sox.
[37:36] While Colson Montgomery has been hitting better of late, he's still struggling when looking at all 2025 results. Longenhagen argues the slump has started way before this year, and takes a bit of the blame of overhyping Montgomery.
[45:51] Which bats in the White Sox farm system can develop into an impact player?
[52:23] Did the White Sox find a steal in Rule 5 pick, Shane Smith?
[55:38] Who are Longenhagen and Fegan's most intriguing prospects outside of the Top 10

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