Introducing the 67th Top Prospect for the South Side Sox in 2026: Mark McLaughlin!
Mark McLaughlin is a promising right-handed relief pitcher standing tall at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 205 pounds. Currently, at the age of 25, he has shown notable potential in his career thus far. In the 2023 ranking of the South Side Sox's Top 100 Prospects, he was positioned at No. 62, but he has not appeared in the 2024 or 2025 rankings—he was noted as No. 103 in 2025.
As he progresses, McLaughlin's journey through the levels of minor league baseball has been noteworthy. In 2025, he pitched at the High Level Birmingham (AA), and interestingly, he was slightly younger than the average age for players at that level, being 0.7 years younger. Among all right-handed relief pitchers in the White Sox organization, he ranked 13th. Analyzing his overall statistics from 2025, we see that he played in 45 games, finishing 15 of those, with a record of 3 wins and 3 losses, an impressive 8 saves, and a 3.48 earned run average (ERA). His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) stood at an efficient 1.161. He also struck out 67 batters while allowing 21 walks, contributing to a wins above replacement (WAR) of 0.8.
McLaughlin was selected by the White Sox as the 221st pick in the 2022 MLB Draft after showcasing his talents as a right-handed reliever from the University of Tennessee. Notably, if he achieves his dream of playing in the major leagues, he has a quirky fact that could charm fans: he was born on Valentine’s Day!
When McLaughlin joined the organization, he drew comparisons to pitchers like Zack Burdi—not necessarily for their speed but for the high-profile nature of their roles as leverage relievers who could quickly ascend through the ranks. However, McLaughlin's initial trajectory didn't proceed as smoothly as anticipated. After making his debut with just one game played, where he struck out a batter in a single inning, he faced significant challenges during his first full season. His ERA ballooned to a staggering 11.19, coupled with a WHIP of 2.467, as he struggled to find the strike zone, posting a dismal 1.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. This downturn in performance could have been exacerbated by the hitters' ability to make solid contact against him.
Being a seventh-round draft pick from a prominent SEC program likely spared McLaughlin from an early exit from the organization, as the White Sox remained confident in his abilities. In 2024, he made a strong comeback, returning to Low-A and finishing the season with a more respectable 3.92 ERA over 42 appearances. By 2025, he had finally aligned with players of his age group, performing impressively between High-A and Double-A levels. Despite experiencing some fatigue later in the season—culminating in a tough September with a 9.00 ERA in Birmingham—his earlier numbers were commendable, highlighted by a stellar 2.68 ERA up until August.
Years ago, we predicted McLaughlin would make swift progress through the system, and aside from a complete overhaul during the summer of 2023, he has proven this prediction to be accurate. As we look ahead to 2026, it seems likely that he'll begin the season in Charlotte, with the possibility of earning a call-up to the major league team on the South Side.
Players Who Were Top 100 Prospects But Are No Longer in the System:
- 15. Peyton Pallette, RHRP (lost to Cleveland in the Rule 5 draft)
- 43. Ronny Hernandez, C (traded to Boston on Nov. 18, 2025)
- 51. Drew Dalquist, RHRP (declared free agency)
- 66. Andre Lipcius, 1B (declared free agency)
- 84. Caleb Freeman, RHRP (declared free agency)
- 90. DJ Gladney, RF (declared free agency)
- 98. Luis Pineda, C (declared free agency)
Estimated Prospect Ratings for New Additions This Offseason, Too Late for Top 100:
- 23. Alexander Alberto, RHRP (Rule 5 pick from Tampa Bay)
- 40. Tristan Peters, OF (trade from Tampa Bay)
- 44. Tim Elko, 1B (re-signed as MiLB free agent)
- 45. Jackson Kelley, RHRP (MiLB Rule 5 pick from Texas)
- 87. Tanner Murray, INF (trade from Tampa Bay)
For further insights, check out:
* 2026 White Sox Top 100 Prospects
* Chicago White Sox Prospects & Minor Leagues
* Chicago White Sox Top 100 Prospects
* Mark McLaughlin
* White Sox Minors
