Caleb Bonemer: White Sox 2025 Minor League Player Of The Year
Cold-weather Michigan punches below its weight for producing baseball talent, and 19-year-old shortstop Caleb Bonemer would agree.
Unconvinced the lower velocity he faced in games was preparing him for the next level, Bonemer spent spare moments taking machine reps against pro-level velocity, even if it had him out in front for spurts of the season.
That level of preparation helped key an outstanding pro debut for Bonemer. He hit .281/.400/.458 in 96 games for Low-A Kannapolis to lead the Carolina League with an .859 OPS. He advanced to High-A Winston-Salem for 11 games and between the levels totaled 12 home runs and 29 stolen bases.
“He’s 19, but he feels like a guy who went to college,” White Sox director of hitting Ryan Fuller said of Chicago’s 2024 second-rounder. “He’s physical, really strong and simple out there. That’s what I love about him. It’s really good at-bats. He knows the strike zone. When he hits, there’s a lot of authority behind it.”
Filled out and physical, Bonemer moved to third base at Winston-Salem for newly-drafted Kyle Lodise. But improved reviews for his bat from scouts across the league suggest that Bonemer will survive an anticipated move off shortstop.
“A lot of people say they don’t see my hands moving at all, and well, I feel like I’m moving them,” Bonemer said. “I try to take my back pocket and turn it toward the pitcher, continuing to load that up, and when it’s time to go, I just release and unload it.
“With my hands, I set them with a slight hand pump—nothing too crazy—and make sure I get into those spots.”
Bonemer had a vulnerability to changeups that will be tested at higher levels, but his adjustments saw him post a slightly above-average contact rate, while his swing decisions improved. Outside of a missed series in August for a hip issue, Bonemer stayed healthy in his debut and is getting more recognition, but he is unsatisfied.
“I (texted him), ‘Congrats on getting named to the Top 100 (Prospects),’ ” said White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery, who trains with Bonemer in the offseason. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, No. 100 or something.’ I was like, ‘Dude, gotta start somewhere.’ ”
