GLENDALE, Ariz. — Noah Schultz allowed a double to the first batter he faced for Class A Kannapolis last June against Fayetteville.
He struck out the next three hitters.
The left-hander from Oswego East, whom the Chicago White Sox selected with the No. 26 pick in the 2022 draft, continued to rack up the strikeouts throughout his 10 starts with the Cannon Ballers, finishing with 38 in 27 innings.
The towering numbers don’t stop there for the 6-foot-9 Schultz. He had a 1.33 ERA and limited the opposition to a .175 batting average in his first minor-league action.
Schultz said last season was “really good” for his confidence.
“The time I was out there I was really successful and I hope to continue that moving forward,” Schultz said Monday morning at Camelback Ranch.
The preparation for 2024 continued Saturday with a live batting practice session.
“It was really fun,” he said. “It felt good to get out there and face some guys. It felt like it’s been forever since I’ve faced some hitters, but I really felt good and I feel like I’m ready for the season.”
Schultz was slowed early in 2023 by a forearm strain and went on the injured list in late August with shoulder impingement.
His focus this season is “to stay healthy, stay on the mound and learn to be the best pitcher I can. Get better every day.”
One of Schultz’s biggest takeaways from last season was taking care of his body and eating better. That includes cooking more, with a goal of more calories and a menu that includes steak and potatoes, steak and rice and steak and pasta.
“It’s enough to stay healthy and recover and gain positive weight,” Schultz said.
On the mound, the sinker, slider and changeup are among the pitches he’s working on.
“I’m confident in all three of them,” he said.
Schultz, 20, is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the organization by MLB.com. He doesn’t pay much attention to the listings or the expectations that come with it.
“It’s a game. I love to play it,” Schultz said. “I just go out there and do what I do and I’m confident in my talents.”
Schultz said professional baseball continues to be a “dream come true.”
“Definitely nowhere else I would want to be,” he said. “I know I’m happy with where I am and the season.”
Sox announce 7 roster moves
The Sox reassigned shortstop Colson Montgomery, the top-ranked prospect in the organization, to minor-league camp Monday, one of seven roster moves they announced.
“He’s obviously ultratalented,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “He does a lot of things right on the field. And all he’s got to do now is go play.”
Outfielders Peyton Burdick and Zach DeLoach and pitcher Alex Speas were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.
Third baseman Bryan Ramos, the No. 3 prospect in the organization according to MLB.com, was optioned to Double-A Birmingham. Ramos is 3-for-12 with a walk in 11 Cactus League games.
Montgomery, first baseman Tim Elko and catcher Carlos Pérez were reassigned to minor-league camp.
Grifol said he had a good conversation with Montgomery, who is 2-for-17 with three walks and two RBIs in 11 Cactus League games.
“One of the things I told him was that he’s always on the clock,” Grifol said. “What I mean by that is, people always are looking at him. You can’t take any plays off. You raise the bar or lower it whether you want it or not.
“He’s got to be cognizant of that. He’s got to go out and execute but play the game the right way. Run balls out, play to win, because that bar is raised by players like him or lowered by players like him.
“That’s how you were born and you’ve got that responsibility on your shoulders, so make sure you are aware of that. He does that to a high level. He’s just got to make sure he stays consistent with it.”
