The Astros routed the White Sox 10-2 on June 12, 2025, as Davis Martin struggled against Framber Valdez. With the Sox now 23-44, is there hope in the rebuild?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another tough one to watch. The Chicago White Sox wrapped up their series in Houston not with a bang, but with a 10-2 shellacking at the hands of the Astros. The loss drops the team to a dismal 23-44 on the season, further cementing their spot in the AL Central cellar and testing the patience of even the most faithful fans.
The White Sox have struggled on the road, with a 7-26 record away from home.
Starter Davis Martin battled but couldn't hold back a potent Astros lineup that erupted for ten runs on Thursday. The loss saddles Martin with a 2-7 record, while Houston's Framber Valdez cruised to his sixth win. The Sox offense, meanwhile, was mostly silent. Despite Miguel Vargas leading the team in nearly every offensive category, his .233 batting average tells the story of a lineup that simply isn't producing. Two runs aren't going to win you many ballgames, especially when the other team puts up a crooked number.
If you're looking for a reason to keep watching, you have to turn your eyes to the future. The farm system boasts an impressive six Top 100 prospects, and we're seeing some of that talent contribute in Chicago. Rule 5 pick Shane Smith has been a revelation in the rotation with a sparkling 2.37 ERA. Trade acquisitions like Sean Burke and Chase Meidroth are also getting valuable major league experience. Down at Class A, outfielder Braden Montgomery is showing flashes of his potential. These are the building blocks, the names to remember on nights like these.
Unfortunately, the optimism around the farm system was dealt a major blow this week. A rash of pitching injuries has swept through the organization, with four Top 30 prospects now out for the year after Tommy John surgery. The most painful name on that list is Drew Thorpe, the centerpiece of the Dylan Cease trade, who will now miss the entire 2025 season. Add in top prospect Colson Montgomery's struggles at Triple-A, which led to him being sent back to the Arizona complex, and it's a stark reminder that development is never a straight line.
So where does this leave the Sox? Stuck between the harsh reality of a 10-2 loss and the fragile hope of a rebuild. Thursday was a microcosm of the 2025 season: a tough loss at the major league level, mixed with promising and concerning news from the minors. The path back to contention is long and, as we were reminded today, full of potential setbacks. For now, all fans can do is watch the young players develop and hope the foundation being laid is a sturdy one.
