The White Sox topped the Astros 4-2 on June 11, 2025, to snap their skid. Luis Robert Jr. and Sean Smith starred, but all eyes were on Grant Taylor's call-up.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, Wednesday night at Daikin Park felt... good. The White Sox didn't just win a baseball game, snapping a frustrating losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Astros. They offered a tantalizing glimpse of the future, pairing a solid all-around team performance with the arrival of one of their most exciting young arms, Grant Taylor.
Very excited about Grant...the stuff is very good. Made the transition to a reliever. Will be using him out of the ‘pen here.
Let's start with the win, because it was a clean one. Sean Smith looked like the steady hand the rotation needs, navigating 6.2 innings while allowing just two runs and striking out seven to improve to 3-3. The offense, often dormant, provided just enough juice. Luis Robert Jr. was the catalyst, going 2-for-4 with a double and two crucial RBI. Andrew Vaughn added some insurance with a solo shot, and Brandon Eisert locked down his second save. As manager Will Venable put it, 'We played clean baseball tonight and got the big hits when we needed them.' At 23-44, every single one of those nights is worth savoring.
While the win was the story on the scoreboard, the buzz in the ballpark was for the new guy in the bullpen. The White Sox officially called up their No. 6 prospect, right-hander Grant Taylor, ahead of the series. To say he dominated at Double-A Birmingham would be an understatement. Taylor posted a minuscule 1.01 ERA with 37 strikeouts in just 26.2 innings, holding hitters to a paltry .135 average. His promotion came at the expense of Bryse Wilson, who was designated for assignment. Taylor made his debut on June 10 and is poised to become a high-impact weapon for a team in desperate need of them.
Before fans anoint Taylor as the next bullpen savior, it's important to understand the team's plan. The move to the bullpen in the minors was strategic, designed to manage his innings and fast-track him to Chicago. The organization has made it clear they will protect their asset. Expect the Sox to be cautious with Taylor's usage early on, avoiding back-to-back appearances and carefully picking his spots. This isn't about throwing him into the fire immediately; it's about developing a potential cornerstone of the future pitching staff at the major league level. It's a smart, long-term play for a team that has to be focused on 2026 and beyond.
One win doesn't erase a 23-44 record, and one prospect's debut doesn't instantly fix a franchise. But for one night, the White Sox gave their fans the perfect combination: a satisfying victory in the present and a legitimate reason for hope for the future. Now we watch to see if they can build on it, and we wait for the next time Grant Taylor's number is called from the 'pen.
