Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable and shortstop Colson Montgomery reacting to being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers
• [6:30] James Fegan joins the show after spending the weekend in Milwaukee. He shares his insights from the White Sox clubhouse, including the early issues they are acknowledging that need to be addressed.
• [28:18] Series Preview: Miami Marlins
• [30:27] Paul Janish shares the development plans for Sam Antonacci, Hagen Smith, Noah Schultz, Tanner McDougal, and Billy Carlson.
• [37:39] Jim Margalus will be watching the Charlotte Knights up close as they visit Nashville this week. But he also shares his thoughts on the opening weekend. How bad is the outfield situation, and do the White Sox need Kyle Teel more than they thought?

Rundown

• [Intro] The relationship between the White Sox and Frank Thomas is so strained that a new lawsuit has been filed by the Hall of Famer. This time, it's using his likeness without permission for the new City Connect jerseys. Why this new episode is sad, and a hope for cooler heads comes sooner than later.
• [11:06] Special guest prediction picker is Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio. He shares what is the most interesting thing about the White Sox this season, his player of the year, and how many wins the White Sox will have.
• [16:30] Josh and Jim make their predictions starting with Best Case Scenario.
• [20:52] Worst Case Scenario
• [23:39] Why Munetaka Murakami is the most interesting thing about the White Sox this season
• [28:27] Preseason Player of the Year picks
• [34:32] How many wins the Chicago White Sox will have in 2026

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox sign old friend Reese McGuire to a one year contract and will be moving on from Korey Lee as the primary backup catcher. Josh Nelson and Jim Margalus ponder aloud why the White Sox made this move so late during spring training.
• [10:41] 2026 Bullpen Preview: Who are the four most important relievers?
• [13:44] Seranthony Dominguez preview
• [18:30] Sean Newcomb preview
• [21:37] Jordan Hicks preview
• [27:27] Grant Taylor preview
• [33:06] Jordan Leasure preview
• [38:10] Guesses at final three relievers to make Opening Day roster
• [42:11] Over/Under: 31.5 Saves for White Sox bullpen

Rundown

• [Intro] Latest update on Mike Vasil's injury and the rumored pitcher ready to take his spot in the bullpen
• [5:01] Alexander Alberto placed on waivers
• [7:57] An open conversation about some baseball outlets looking to phase our ERA when evaluating pitchers, and instead of using newer metrics like K-BB%.
• [17:55] 2026 Preview: Shane Smith
• [27:04] 2026 Preview: Davis Martin
• [35:36] 2026 Preview: Anthony Kay
• [40:19] 2026 Preview: Erick Fedde
• [44:55] 2026 Preview: Sean Burke
• [54:37] First to majors: Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, or Tanner McDougal

Rundown

• [Intro] The impact of Kyle Teel out four to six weeks with his hamstring injury. Why the impact doesn't feel as great as previous Spring Training injuries.
• [10:36] World Baseball Classic enters Quarterfinals as Team USA faces Canada. After losing to Italy, and not showing the same exuberance as the other countries, should MLB'ers be used in the upcoming Olympic games in 2028?
• [22:01] 2026 Preview: Catcher
• [31:12] 2026 Preview: Left Field
• [39:25] 2026 Preview: Center Field
• [46:33] 2026 Preview: Right Field

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from Will Venable and Shane Smith after the Chicago White Sox announce their Opening Day starter. After Smith, how does the rest of the White Sox starting rotation stack? Also, is it OK if the White Sox give Smith extra day of rest to start 2026?
• [8:49] 2026 Preview: First Base and Munetaka Murakami. What would be a successful season for Murakami? Yay or Nay: Rookie of the Year honors in 2026? Over/Under: 30.5 home runs.
• [21:20] 2026 Preview: Second Base and Chase Meidroth What would be a successful season for Meidroth? Yay or Nay: Meidroth plays most games at 2B for White Sox Over/Under: 124.5 base hits
• [28:56] 2026 Preview: Third Base and Miguel Vargas What would be a successful season for Vargas? Yay or Nay: Vargas settles 3B future for White Sox Over/Under: 70.5 RBI
• [41:02] 2026 Preview: Shortstop and Colson Montgomery What would be a successful season for Montgomery? Yay or Nay: Montgomery has another 3+ WAR season Over/Under: 27.5 HR

Rundown

• [Intro] Catching up on Chicago White Sox Spring Training prior to Thursday night’s game against Cleveland: examining the current outfield roster, highlighting the top hitters, and spotlighting the pitchers who are performing well at camp.
• [9:18] Brian Page of Rapsodo, who handles the company's MLB relationships, joins the show to talk about tech in the game of baseball. Rapsodo has been at the forefront of helping MLB teams capture numerous pitch metrics. Page breaks down which metrics MLB teams are focused on and how the technology helps pitchers with pitch design.
• [28:46] A deep dive into the hitting metrics Rapsodo captures, and how even though hitters are still playing catch-up, the concept of building a heat map is driving adaptation.

Rundown

• [Intro] Sounds from camp include Will Venable, who wishes Munetaka Murakami luck in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Plus, Miguel Vargas is aiming to improve his range at third base. Colson Montgomery shares how camp feels in year two and how he's hoping to improve his first step defensively.
• [6:45] Sam Antonacci continues to hit big home runs. Where is this power coming from?
• [11:59] Edgar Quero is having a great start to spring training. If he continues hitting this well, does that make Venable's job tougher when it comes to giving playing time?
• [18:57] Latest injury updates
• [20:20] A look at Noah Schultz's StatCast data from his first performance
• [24:01] Josh Nelson shares what he saw from watching Roch Cholowsky in the College Baseball Series. How is game-tying home run saved his weekend hitting-wise, but the defense is a clear standout tool. Also, what it was like to watch Grady Emerson play in Frisco, Texas.
• [40:25] With the WBC starting this week, the crew makes their picks to win it all.

Rundown

• [Intro] Sounds from camp as Shane Smith shares his thoughts about the first spring outing and how the pressure feels different from last year.
• [6:28] This is the final weekend for WBC players before they join their respective countries' squads. Munetaka Murakami's first base defense will be something to watch as he's still getting used to the position.
• [14:47] Lenyn Sosa will get more reps at third base to expand his usage and find a way to keep his bat on the roster.
• [18:16] Noah Schultz will be making his first spring appearance. Jim Margalus shares what two things he's going to be watching for in that outing.
• [21:41] First impressions of Anthony Kay, who is throwing harder than expected.
• [26:05] Spring Training injury updates that include Luisangel Acuna needing stitches.
• [31:25] Jerry Reinsdorf turned 90 years old on Wednesday. What would be a suitable gift for him? Also, Jim opines on Steve Stone's interview in the Chicago Sun-Times.
• [40:15] Thanks to our subscribers and supporters, James Fegan was able to provide amazing coverage of the White Sox spring training activity. He's heading home this weekend, but before leaving, James explains why this year's mood is very similar to that back in 2019.

Rundown

• [Intro] Sounds from camp as Will Venable talks about ABS and the base coaches boxes. Chris Murphy, Mike Vasil, and Sean Burke share how their first pitching appearances went.
• [8:04] First impression with White Sox pitchers
• [12:13] First impression with White Sox hitters
• [15:32] First impression of Munetaka Murakami
• [17:36] First impression of Edgar Quero
• [20:33] Dark horse candidate to make 26-man roster: Tanner McDougal
• [31:54] Dark horse candidate to make 26-man roster: Sam Antonacci
• [38:06] First impression of ABS challenges
• [48:08] Roch Report: After another big weekend vs. ranked TCU, Roch Cholowsky has lived up to the early hype.