February 23, 2026 | Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, AZ | 1:10 PM MT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) face the Colorado Rockies (66–96) in what’s basically a showcase of who’s rebuilding better. Both teams were terrible in 2025. Both are banking on young prospects to save the franchise. And both are desperate to prove they’re heading in the right direction.
For White Sox fans who endured 99 losses, spring training games like this matter because they show whether our top prospects are actually the real deal or just more organizational filler. Can Colson Montgomery handle major league pitching? Will Drew Thorpe develop into a frontline starter? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay healthy long enough to matter?
The Rockies are asking similar questions about Ezequiel Tovar, Chase Dollander, and their wave of young talent. Whoever gets better answers this spring has a shot at being less embarrassing in 2026.
Where the White Sox Stand (Spoiler: Rock Bottom)
2025 Record: 63–99
Ninety-nine losses. Let that sink in. We were historically, embarrassingly bad. The pitching was a disaster. The defense made routine plays look impossible. And offensively, we couldn’t score runs if our lives depended on it.
But that was the plan—tear it down, tank for high draft picks, stockpile prospects, and rebuild from scratch. It’s brutal to watch in real-time, but if it leads to sustained success, it’s worth it.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): When healthy, elite talent—power, speed, defense. The problem is “when healthy.”
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect and potential franchise cornerstone. This spring is critical.
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who can mentor young pitchers and eat innings.
Top Prospects to Watch:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat trying to prove he’s ready for the majors
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Could be a frontline starter if he develops, gets the start today
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Drew Thorpe is on the mound today, which is a big deal. This is his chance to show he can compete against major league hitters (even if they’re Rockies hitters). If his command is sharp and his stuff plays, we might have something.
The Colorado Rockies: Also Terrible, Different Problems
2025 Record: 66–96
Colorado lost 96 games last year, which somehow makes our 99 losses look even worse. But they’re also rebuilding, also relying on prospects, and also hoping their young core develops faster than expected.
Key Players:
- Kris Bryant: Former MVP who’s been injured more than healthy lately
- Ezequiel Tovar (SS): Young shortstop with defensive skills and developing bat
- Nolan Jones (OF): Breakout candidate with power potential
Top Prospects:
- Chase Dollander (RHP): Getting the start today, has velocity and upside
- Adael Amador (INF): Versatile infielder fighting for playing time
- Yanquiel Fernandez (OF): Developmental outfielder with tools
The Rockies play half their games at Coors Field, where pitching goes to die. That makes developing arms even harder. If Dollander can succeed in that environment, he’s legitimately special.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
| Position | White Sox | Rockies |
|---|---|---|
| Center Field | Luis Robert Jr. | Nolan Jones |
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Ezequiel Tovar |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Chase Dollander |
Luis Robert Jr. vs Nolan Jones in Center
When healthy, Robert is one of the most talented center fielders in baseball—elite speed, 30-homer power, Gold Glove defense. Jones is trying to prove he can be an everyday player with consistent production. Talent advantage: Robert, if he’s actually healthy.
Colson Montgomery vs Ezequiel Tovar at Shortstop
Montgomery is our franchise hope—elite bat, solid glove, potential All-Star. Tovar is already established as a good defensive shortstop with a developing offensive game. This is a fun measuring-stick matchup for Montgomery.
Drew Thorpe vs Chase Dollander on the Mound
Both are young pitchers with upside trying to prove they belong in major league rotations. Thorpe has better command. Dollander has more velocity. Whoever executes today shows they’re ahead in their development.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Commands the Zone
Three or four solid innings with fastball command and confident off-speed pitches. Against a Rockies lineup that can hit, Thorpe needs to show he can execute. If he gets lit up, it raises questions. If he dominates, it builds confidence.
Colson Montgomery Shows He’s Ready
A couple of quality at-bats—hard contact, smart approaches, maybe a walk or two. Defensively, make the routine plays look routine. Montgomery is the future of this franchise. Every spring training rep matters.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
That’s literally it. Just get through the game without tweaking something. If Robert can give us a full season of his talent, everything changes. But we need to see him play without breaking down.
Bryan Ramos Makes Contact
Ramos has power, but can he handle major league pitching consistently? Show some bat-to-ball skills, don’t chase garbage in the dirt, and prove you’re more than just a Triple-A masher.
Defense Doesn’t Embarrass Us
We ranked near the bottom in fielding percentage last year. The Rockies were just as bad. Whoever makes fewer mistakes probably wins. Execute fundamentals and don’t beat ourselves.
What the Rockies Will Bring
Chase Dollander will be pumping mid-90s fastballs and trying to overpower us. Nolan Jones will be looking to drive the ball and show he’s a legit everyday player. And Ezequiel Tovar will make smooth defensive plays at short because that’s what he does.
Colorado’s young bats can do damage, especially if our pitching doesn’t execute. They’re not intimidating, but they’re scrappy and trying to prove something—just like us.
The Reality of Two Bad Teams Playing in February
Let’s be honest—this game doesn’t matter. Neither team is competing for anything meaningful this season. The Rockies will probably lose 90+ games again. We’ll be lucky to win 70.
But for fans who suffered through last year, these spring training games matter because they show whether the rebuild is actually progressing. Are our top prospects developing? Is our pitching getting better? Can we execute fundamentals?
The Rockies are in the same boat. Two organizations at rock bottom, hoping their young cores develop into something competitive in 2-3 years.
White Sox Fan Prediction: Close Game, We Lose
Final Score: Rockies 5, White Sox 4
Drew Thorpe gives us three solid innings, allows maybe one run, and shows his stuff translates. Colson Montgomery goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks every bit like a future star. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer because that’s what he does when healthy.
But Colorado’s late-game offense—led by Nolan Jones and their young bats—scratches across runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Chase Dollander dominates early, and their bullpen holds us down.
We’ll compete. We’ll show flashes. But ultimately, we’re still figuring out who we are, and that costs us in a close spring training game.
And honestly? That’s okay. This is where we are. Rebuilding. Developing. Hoping our prospects turn into major leaguers. The goal isn’t winning Cactus League games—it’s building a foundation for sustainable success.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It Doesn’t)
The scoreboard doesn’t matter. But the development does.
Can Colson Montgomery hit major league pitching? Will Drew Thorpe show command and confidence? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay healthy? Will Bryan Ramos prove he’s ready?
These answers determine whether we’re competitive in 2027-2028 or if we’re stuck in perpetual rebuild mode.
The Rockies are asking the same questions. And whoever develops their young core faster has a shot at relevance. The other franchise keeps losing 95+ games and wondering when it’ll turn around.
For now, we’re watching prospects audition. And hoping that in a couple years, we’re the ones winning meaningful games while some other team is stuck in spring training purgatory.
Go Sox!!!
The post White Sox vs Rockies Spring Training Prediction Game Today February 23: Battle of the Rebuilds in Arizona appeared first on UrbanMatter.
