White Sox shine spotlight on their next wave in SoxFest 2026 initial lineup debut

The White Sox released their preliminary attendee list for SoxFest 2026, scheduled for January 30-31 at the Ramova Theatre. The early group is a predictable blend of front-office personnel, prospects, and major-league talent. Chris Getz and Will Venable will be representing the front-office side, while prospects Sam Antonacci (No. 11) and Tanner McDougal (No. 7) will be on hand as part of a player group that includes big leaguers Davis Martin, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Luis Robert Jr., Shane Smith, Grant Taylor, Kyle Teel, and Miguel Vargas. The list so far is a good one, featuring a handful of favorites and some of the most intriguing young names in the organization, all of whom will no doubt have much to discuss about the club’s direction for 2026.

However, the list is also notable for who is not on it. Andrew Benintendi, Edgar Quero, Lenyn Sosa, and Mike Vasil are among the current major-leaguers who have yet to be added to the SoxFest roster. Additionally, Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, Braden Montgomery, Billy Carlson, and Caleb Bonemer are among the organization’s top prospects who are also not on the list. It’s hard not to hope that more members of Chicago’s next wave will be added to the list in the coming weeks. And for the first time in recent memory, this initial wave of attendees includes zero former players, who in the past have been an essential component of the SoxFest experience. This may be the event’s biggest swing-and-miss.

We’re still a long way from January 30, and it’s likely the White Sox will keep adding to the list as the fan fest approaches. For now, though, the early slate sends a clear message that SoxFest is focusing on the club’s future wave of young talent.