What the Sox can provide Schumaker is stability. Getz is not leaving anytime soon. The next manager should be given a long-term contract, as the White Sox are not an appealing franchise right now. Schumaker also knows Tony La Russa, who coached him and now serves as the team’s advisor.
While the Cards made sense in principle, Schumaker’s reality was much from certain.
“We’re always going to be a small-market club,” Krall stated in September, when David Bell was fired as manager. “That won’t change. When you look at it, we’re going to bring younger players up here, and we’ll end up drafting, developing, and promoting them. And we need those players to prosper in the major leagues.
Which prospects in player development could be the next wave to reach the major leagues? Here are three trends to watch for in 2025.
RHP Chase Petty
MLB Pipeline ranked Petty No. 8 in the organization, and he reached Triple-A Louisville by the conclusion of the 2024 season, with a 1.80 ERA in two starts. In 26 starts for Double-A Chattanooga, the right-hander went 10-5 with a 4.39 ERA. In 127 innings, he allowed 116 hits, 56 walks, and 123 strikeouts.
Petty, who turns 22 in April, had a limited pitch count in 2023 at High-A Dayton and did not pitch more than four innings due to an elbow ailment in ’22.
This year, the governor was removed, and Petty struggled in four April starts, with a 9.56 ERA and being prone to walks and hard hits. However, he improved steadily, particularly down the stretch, with three of his final four starts lasting seven innings.
The Reds acquired Petty as part of the March 2022 trade that sent starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Twins. He will most likely attend major league camp for the second time next Spring Training. If injuries again test the rotation depth, Petty might be a phone call away from making his debut in 2025.
SS Edwin Arroyo
Arroyo, who was ranked third in the organization and 65th overall, missed out on a full year of development due to a bizarre play. In his first big league camp, Arroyo tore the labrum in his left shoulder while diving back to first base on a pickoff play against the Giants on March 13.
Arroyo was supposed to open 2024 with Chattanooga, but he ended up missing the entire season. To make up for some missed at-bats after his recuperation, the 21-year-old was assigned to the Arizona Fall League.
Another trade acquisition to help with the reconstruction, Arroyo joined Cincinnati on July 29, 2022, in exchange for rotation ace Luis Castillo from the Mariners.
The Reds liked what they saw from Arroyo during camp, and some believe he is the finest defensive shortstop in an organization that includes De La Cruz.
If Arroyo plays well early next season and reaches Triple-A, the Reds may search for a way to add him, but will this necessitate moving De La Cruz to a new position?
RHP Chase Burns
Burns, the second overall choice in the 2024 Draft out of Wake Forest and the organization’s top prospect (No. 21 overall), is expected to make his major league debut in 2026, according to MLB Pipeline. But it’s not difficult to imagine ’25 happening, especially if the 21-year-old follows the Rhett Lowder model.
Burns, like Lowder, Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2023 and a Wake Forest product, did not throw professionally during his draft year. Lowder began the season in High-A Dayton and made 22 Minor League starts in High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A before making the Major Leagues. The right-hander then went on to have a 1.17 ERA in six starts for the Reds.
Burns, who signed for a record $9.25 million bonus, spent the summer strengthening his arm and conditioning at the team’s Arizona facility. If the Reds need to strengthen their rotation in the latter part of next season, Burns could be the answer if he is prepared.
