Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

White Sox Call Up Grant Taylor, Take a Swing at Bullpen Competence

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Besnik Zekiri | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 7:44 PM ET

The Chicago White Sox are coming off a rare winning homestand, where they split a four-game set with the team boasting the best record in baseball and then, miraculously, took two of three from the Kansas City Royals—a team they hadn’t beaten in their last 10 tries.

While they’ve somehow played respectable ball at home, the road has not been nearly as kind. The White Sox are a woeful 6–26 away from Rate Field. On Tuesday, they open a six-game road trip, all in the Lone Star State, starting with the Houston Astros.

With any luck, the trip won’t be a total disaster, and they may even have a little bullpen help coming along for the ride.

Help Is on the Way?

The White Sox are calling up right-hander Grant Taylor from the Double-A Birmingham Barons. A 2023 second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor missed most of last season due to injury. Despite the limited track record, Baseball Prospectus ranked him in the top 100, thanks to his electric stuff and projectable upside.

Can confirm @JamesFox917 that the White Sox are calling up Grant Taylor. He throws hard, has been dominating in relief at Double-A Birmingham.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 9, 2025

Taylor impressed during Cactus League play in spring training, showcasing flashes of the talent that earned him a draft pick. A starter by trade, the White Sox raised some eyebrows when they shifted him into a bullpen role at Birmingham.

Grant Taylor seals a 6-out save with ... 6 K's

The @whitesox No. 7 prospect has not allowed a run through 3 spring appearances: pic.twitter.com/x11DvrELEz
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 9, 2025

All he’s done since is dominate. The 23-year-old has pitched to a 1.35 ERA and 0.863 WHIP over 26.2 innings, while fanning 37. Yes, it’s a small sample size, but it’s been enough to earn him the call.

Calculated Risk Season

In a year where the White Sox are not remotely pretending to contend, this is the kind of move they should be making. The bullpen, although recently showing signs of life, has been largely unwatchable and remains one of the worst in baseball.

The White Sox bullpen has been pretty stinky so far this year.

23rd in ERA
25th in FIP
29th in WPA
21st in WPA/LI

There have been some interesting performances from guys like Vasil and Wilson, but besides the development intrigue of Taylor...he can fill a legitimate weakness! https://t.co/Psb03K3UPO
— Sean Sullivan (@papamoon92) June 9, 2025

To put it bluntly: it’s hard to imagine Taylor being any worse than what we’ve already seen. The long-term plan for him may still be in the rotation, but for now, he’ll get his first taste of the majors in a relief role.

It’s a calculated risk, sure—but these are the seasons when you take them. At the very least, it gives fans something to look forward to that isn’t the postgame fireworks.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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