The White Sox have released their preliminary roster of participants for SoxFest 2026, scheduled for January 30-31 at the Ramova Theater. The early group is a predictable mix of front office personnel, prospects and top talent. Chris Getz and Will Venable will represent the front office side, while prospects Sam Antonacci (No. 11) and Tanner McDougal (No. 7) will be in attendance as part of a player group that includes major 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, with a handful of favorites and some of the most intriguing young names in the organization, all of whom will no doubt have a lot 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 League players 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 history, this first wave of attendees includes zero former players, who have been an essential part of the SoxFest experience in the past. This could be the biggest swing-and-miss of the event.
We’re still a long way from January 30th, and it’s likely the White Sox will continue to add to the list as the fan fest approaches. But for now, the early slate sends a clear message that SoxFest is focused on the club’s future wave of young talent.
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