Welcome back to the Charlotte Knights’ redemption season. Last season didn’t go as expected, as the Knights finished 65-85, the fourth-worst record in the International League East. Despite spending time early in the season with a winning record and flirting with .500 for a while, the club ultimately struggled because the bullpen frequently gave up games, and the bats were streakier than Midwest weather in the spring. Fortunately, the Knights finally appear to be sporting some top-notch talent this year.
Starting Pitching
The Knights rotation looks slightly different than last year.
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After securing a Southern League title, Tanner McDougal is ready to cruise through Charlotte. His 3.26 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and .241 allowed batting average made him a standout pitching in the farm system in 2025. But the real test is yet to come. McDougal lasted less than four innings in nearly half his starts last year, which isn’t enough in the majors. All eyes will surely be on the only new starter.
Jonathan Cannon returns to Charlotte after missing Chicago’s 26-man roster cut. He hopes to work his way back to the majors after posting a 5.82 ERA and giving up 17 home runs in 22 games. His regression from 2024 and struggles in Charlotte require he work especially hard to reclaim any role in Chicago.
Duncan Davitt and Noah Schultz fall into a similar category of needing to prove themselves. Davitt didn’t give up the long ball as much as he couldn’t stop the bleeding. His 27 earned runs in nine starts with the Knights set a sink-or-swim expectation for him this year. Schultz is also in hot water after his leap from Double to Triple-A was a disaster. Schultz was decimated for 15 runs in his first three starts, was plagued for a month by a bum knee, and couldn’t manage to squeak out shutout appearances in his last two very short starts.
Shane Murphy starts the season with the Knights after breaking out last year. His stunning 1.66 ERA, 24 walks, and 104 strikeouts from High-A through Triple-A went under the radar, but he was one of the best pitchers in the minors. Murphy needs reps in Triple-A before he gets the call up, and his timeline could speed up if Erick Fedde or Drew Thorpe get annihilated in April and May.
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Relievers
Shifting to the bullpen, not much has changed. A few old faces will reclaim their place in the pen after pitching at least 25 innings last year for the Knights:
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Wikelman González – 33 IP
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Tyler Schweitzer – 50 IP
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Chase Plymell – 52 ⅓ IP
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Garrett Schoenle – 27 ⅔ IP
Ben Peoples, Adisyn Coffey and Zach Franklin got a taste of Triple-A last year, but struggled in the few innings they pitched.
Brandon Eisert had two appearances in Charlotte before being called up to play out the rest of the season with the Sox. He’s been relegated back to the Knights — although it could be a brief stay given Chicago embarrassed itself on Opening Day in a 14-2 loss to Milwaukee. Eisert’s 34 earned runs, 74 strikeouts, and nine holds in 72 innings aren’t keeping him off the 26-man as much as lack of space. However, he still has yet to show he isn’t a 4A reliever.
Position Players
With Korey Lee released, the Knights will rely on backstops Michael Turner, Josh Breaux and Drew Romo. With Reese McGuire signed to an MLB deal (no demotion to Triple-A in the plans) and Kyle Teel on the mend and preparing to share catching duties with Edgar Quero, it’s unlikely that any of this trio will get off of the Charlotte busses in 2026. However, Turner is the closest thing the White Sox have to an ace catcher in the system at this point.
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Making our way around the horn, first base seems anyone’s guess, while there is some strong talent otherwise. A trio of middle infielders anchor the group, including Sam Antonacci, William Bergolla Jr. and Jacob Gonzalez. Gonzalez, the only one a first-rounder, is probably the odd man out and pushed to third base, as Antonacci strutted his stuff at the WBC representing team Italy and seems destined to be the first bat up in Chicago when injury calls. Like Antonacci, Bergolla impressed with his Spring Training invite. Oliver Dunn was solid at third base and could slide over to play some first. Darren Baker also had an active camp with the White Sox, and he’ll be subbing in at second base and pinch-running.
Finally, the outfield. Dustin Harris comes from the Rangers minor league system bouncing between Triple-A and the majors. While he didn’t hold his own in Texas, he slapped the ball around for Round Rock Express (.285/.369/.435, 44 walks, 41 RBIs). He should help move runners around the diamond on a team that loved to strand hitters. Dru Baker had a strong season with the Knights and has a real chance of being called up. Acquired in the Matt Thaiss trade, Baker hit a respectable .256 batting average and kept the offense. The only issue is that he is one of the few guys who can incite an offense on a whim. Jarred Kelenic takes over right field after struggling with Braves and Gwinnett Stripers. With batting averages below or just touching the Mendoza line, there are no expectations. And finally, LaMonte Wade Jr. couldn’t parlay his terrific Spring Training with the White Sox into a guaranteed deal somewhere else, so he is back to club the ball in Charlotte.
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