Road to The Rate: A Minor League Podcast

White Sox prospects Caleb Bonemer and Matthew Boughton join Connor McKnight to discuss their development through the minor leagues, from refining their swings and adjusting to each new level of pitching to the routines, drills, and teammates that have helped them along the way. They also share stories about clubhouse chemistry, life off the field with roommates and catch partners, their pregame pl...

White Sox prospects Braden Montgomery and Max Banks join Connor McKnight on the latest edition of Road to the Rate. Braden talks about how he feels about being on the cusp, while Max Banks dives into his pitching arsenal and even gives Connor his Costco hack.

Connor McKnight catches up with two of the White Sox organization’s rising names in a packed edition of Road to the Rate. First, top prospect Colby Shelton joins the show to reflect on his standout start in Winston-Salem, earning Player of the Month honors, and the moment he got the call to Double-A Birmingham. Shelton opens up about adjusting to tougher competition, refining his approach at the p...

In this episode of Road to the Rate, Connor McKnight takes listeners inside the Chicago White Sox player development system with Paul Janish, breaking down how everyday interactions help shape the growth of the organization’s youngest talent. He explores conversations with players like Schultz and Antonacci, along with how the staff supports prospects navigating struggles or adjusting after being...

On this episode of Road to the Rate, Connor McKnight is joined by the White Sox top prospects Noah Schultz and Billy Carlson. Schultz dives into the importance of daily catch play, the feedback he actively seeks from teammates, and how he’s refining his arsenal with the cutter and slider. He also discusses building toward pitching deeper into games, the routines helping him get there, and what he...

Road to the Rate returns with an in-depth conversation featuring White Sox No. 10 prospect Kyle Lodise, diving into life both on and off the field. The episode opens with a look at enjoying spring outside of baseball before shifting into his development journey, from high school to college and, ultimately, into pro ball. Lodise reflects on navigating injuries, what he learned from his stint in Hig...

Road to the Rate continues as Connor McKnight sits down with White Sox pitching prospect Christian Oppor for an in-depth conversation on his development and approach on the mound. Oppor breaks down his pitching arsenal, touches on his velocity, and opens up about the mental side of the game. He also shares insight on teammates like Tanner McDougal and coaches like Jacob Dorris, offering a glimpse...

Road to the Rate returns with Connor McKnight sitting down with White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer to discuss the path that’s carrying him through the organization. Bonemer reflects on growing up playing baseball in Michigan, the challenges of developing in Midwest weather, and the people who’ve helped him stay focused on a day-to-day approach as he’s worked to refine his swing and overall game. Bon...

Road to the Rate rolls on as David Sandlin and Tanner McDougal stop by to talk about their push toward the big leagues. Sandlin reflects on the adjustment from being dealt by the Boston Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox, dives into his work with Pitching WRX alongside Davis Martin, and breaks down the evolution of his arsenal, from the kick-change to his slider and cutter, and how he manages veloci...

Road to the Rate is back with Connor McKnight. In the first episode of 2026, Connor sits down with Paul Janish, Director of Player Development for the Chicago White Sox. Janish shares insight into the organization’s evolving philosophy, how last year’s approach compares to this season, and what fans should know about rising prospects like Braden Montgomery and Caleb Bonemer as they climb the syste...

Connor McKnight closes out season one of Road to the Rate with White Sox Director of Player Development Paul Janish to recap the year on the farm and look ahead to 2026. The two dig into why Tanner McDougal earned a spot on the 40-man roster, the next wave of impact bats like Sam Antonacci and Braden Montgomery, and how the organization is managing workloads and roles for arms such as Grant Taylor...

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers' pitching coach Jacob Dorris joins Connor McKnight from the Arizona Fall League to discuss balancing development, health, and results at season’s end. He shares insights on Hagen Smith’s growth, Grant Umberger’s steady rise, and Mathias LaCombe’s potential, plus how the White Sox teach pitch efficiency and count leverage to help young arms go deeper into games.

Connor McKnight sits down with White Sox director of player development Paul Janish to put a bow on 2025 and look ahead to the Arizona Fall League. They unpack how the Birmingham Barons went back-to-back in the Southern League, why that club’s identity matters, and how the org balances AAA needs with giving Double-A players real playoff reps. Paul digs into development vs. “money skills,” what com...

Connor McKnight is joined by Caden Connor and Sam Antonacci from the Birmingham Barons as they battle for another Southern League title. The guys share what makes this team so tough to play against, how they’ve adjusted to new levels of competition, and why the Barons’ clubhouse culture has been special all season long. They also talk about their individual growth, the keys to their approach at th...

Connor McKnight dives into player development on Road to the Rate with two standouts from the White Sox system. Braden Montgomery—fresh off a 14-game hitting streak and White Sox Minor League Hitter of the Month—breaks down his process-first mindset, the work of maintaining two swings as a switch-hitter, and how his defense has leveled up. Then Tyler Schweitzer joins to unpack his September surge...

The Birmingham Barons are rolling — and pitchers Tanner McDougal and Shane Murphy are leading the charge. McDougal opens up about his comeback from Tommy John and refining his command, while Murphy shares how preparation and mindset have fueled his breakout season. Two rising White Sox arms you need to know.

White Sox Director of Player Development Paul Janish returns to Road to the Rate for a deep dive into the club’s post-draft and post-deadline phase. Janish explains how the Sox align scouting and development, what they look for in new draftees, and how they determine when a prospect is ready for the next level — or even the big leagues. He breaks down the balance between letting players settle in...

On this episode of Road to the Rate, Triple-A manager Sergio Santos joins the show to share what it really takes to develop future big leaguers. From delivering life-changing call-ups to managing through struggles, Santos reflects on his journey through every level of the minors and how he helps players grow on and off the field. He talks about balancing development with winning, how the White Sox...

On this episode of Road to the Rate, Connor McKnight is joined by White Sox Director of Player Development Paul Janish to break down the organization's latest player development milestones. They discuss top prospects Noah Schultz and Braden Montgomery earning spots in the Futures Game, the rise of Grant Taylor in the major league bullpen, and what it takes to develop hitters who can handle elite v...

Two of the hottest players in the White Sox minor league system join Road to the Rate. Connor McKnight sits down with lefty starter Grant Umberger to break down his rise in Kannapolis—going from undrafted free agent to rotation standout with a 1.80 ERA. Then, top prospect George Wolkow joins the show to talk plate discipline, timely hitting, and how his shift to center field is helping shape his f...

Welcome to Road to the Rate, hosted by Connor McKnight. This debut episode lays the foundation for a new White Sox-focused podcast that tracks the organization’s rising minor league talent and the player development philosophies shaping them. Connor is joined by White Sox Director of Player Development Paul Janish for a wide-ranging conversation on how the organization is building the next wave of...