Sunday, March 09

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- George Wolkow has a message for those people who think the No. 10 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is a “feast-or-famine,” all-or-nothing, offensive talent. 

Take a look at his double play grounder against the Mariners during his callup from Minor League camp to Cactus League action on March 1 in Peoria. Actually, Wolkow’s quickness appeared to turn a 4-6-3 into a fielder’s choice by beating the throw to first, even though it was called differently. 

 
“That ball, that dribbler I hit up the middle, I thought I beat that out,” said a smiling Wolkow after his Cactus League appearance where he delivered a single to left. “I think I can play center field. I’m working hard with the coaches on working on my diving, working on my running mechanics.  

“This offseason was really cool to be able to work with my trainer and take some of the stuff we did at the performance camp in the fall through the offseason and try to utilize my speed more. If I can get one or two extra hits per week by beating something out, or play some center field down the road, I’m going to do that. I think I’m an athletic player. I have some good legs under me.” 

It's easy to picture Wolkow as that quintessential power bat. The left-handed hitter checks in at 6-foot-7, 239 pounds and is only 19 years old. There are videos capturing a few prodigious clouts among the left-handed-hitter’s 14 career Minor League homers, and there’s also the tally of 175 under his career strikeout total in 375 at-bats. 

But Wolkow’s talent array will be on display March 16 at Camelback Ranch, as he is part of Chicago’s roster for its Spring Breakout contest against the Rockies. It’s a talent-rich group, featuring six White Sox players from MLB Pipeline’s most recent Top 100 list. 

Noah Schultz (No. 16) and Hagen Smith (No. 34), the top two left-handed pitching prospects in the game, are scheduled to take part. The same holds true for catcher Kyle Teel (No. 32), who homered off Roki Sasaki during a live BP session, and shortstop Colson Montgomery (No. 39), who has a shot to break camp despite missing one week with back tightness.  

Wolkow has yet to crack this elite list, but he has a strong belief and a strong confidence in his ability to succeed and at a young age.  

“We talk about guys not wanting to get to the big leagues. We want you to become a really good player in the big leagues. Think about being a starter, think about being an All-Star. That’s what George does,” director of player development Paul Janish said of Wolkow. “Players do themselves a disservice by aspiring to just get to the big leagues. It’s subtle but significant, and I love where George is at.  

“There’s transparency. There’s no apprehension about anything. He’s willing to try whatever we ask of him. He’s going to be fine long term. Again, he’s already exceeding expectations relative to the level he’s at. One thing we do have to remember is not to get too greedy. Let it unfold the way it’s supposed to. We know for a fact he’s going to put the work in. That piece is not going to be the issue.” 

Janish agrees with Wolkow’s center field assessment, adding they are going to play him there a little bit in the Minors this season even if he doesn’t ultimately end up in center with the White Sox. They feel it’s important to his development. 

“He runs and he throws better than you think. He really is a good athlete, and he continues to work at it,” Janish said. “He’s pretty developed from a strength standpoint, not to say he’s not going to continue to add. He’s put together. If you put him on the big league field right now, he’s going to fit. But he’s an athlete and he wants to continue.” 

This Spring Breakout allows fans to get an up-close view with a number of these developing stars who are moving toward the big league field. The White Sox feature players who are close to the Majors and those on the rise such as Wolkow. 

“My biggest goal is just to go to the field every day and find something to get better at. Stay where my feet are, just one percent every day, good things are going to come,” Wolkow said. “Go out there, don’t get too high, don’t get too low, continue to play baseball hard. Play the game the right way.”

• Kudos to the fan who asked me Thursday when my next Opening Day roster projection is coming. It was a good reminder, so look for its arrival Monday.  

• Happy birthday No. 188 to the city of Chicago, the best city in the United States, with Ann Arbor, Flossmoor, and Las Vegas close behind. It doesn’t look a day over 185. As always, this newsletter greeting is in lieu of any gift. 

• One of the ESPN channels recently televised a table-top hockey championship -- the game with the metal puck that pops up and the players with the small sticks under glass. I was a solid competitor at that game, so maybe a second career if I ever retire? 

• “Trying to karate chop a baseball bat is probably not the best thing in the world.” -- catcher Korey Lee, who bruised his right hand trying to throw a runner out stealing third

• “We’ll give him some time to get in there and continue to build him up. He looks great and most importantly he’s coming out of these sessions feeling good. Just continue to build him up.” -- Manager Will Venable on Mike Clevinger, who makes his first 2025 Cactus League appearance Sunday in pursuit of possible closing opportunities

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