Roster Watch: Can Tanner Murray’s Hot Start Earn Him a Spot?
This Spring Training is a bit different from the last few years, as there is a bit more set in stone on the 26-man roster. However, there are certainly still some key positional battles. For the first time in what seems like a very long time, there aren’t roster battles at practically every position, as the White Sox likely have their starting lineup locked up. However, there are still a few backup spots in the infield and outfield up for grabs, as well as a few spots in the bullpen.
As we get closer to the regular season, we will look at each fringe roster player and their chances to make the team out of Spring Training. The next player we will evaluate is Tanner Murray. Murray was acquired by the White Sox in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on November 18th. The White Sox traded reliever Steven Wilson and pitcher Yoendrys Gomez, and in return received Everson Pereira and Murray.
Murray has yet to appear in a major league game, but has been very impressive in camp to this point. In five games with the Chicago White Sox, he is 4 for 11, which is good for a .364 batting average. His on base percentage is .462, his slugging percentage is 1.091, and he has an inane 1.553 OPS. He’s hit two homers, drove in five runs, and has walked twice compared to just two strikeouts. This is a quite the impressive start to Spring Training and potentially gives him a opportunity to break the camp with the team.
Tanner Murray continues to mash. White Sox tied at 2, as Braden Montgomery (1B) scores on the blast. pic.twitter.com/Ig2FIKnGem
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) February 26, 2026
Last year Murray struggled in AAA with the Tampa Bay Rays organization, as he hit .241 with a .299 on base percentage. However, he hit 18 home runs and drove in 58 runs. He unfortunately did strike out 138 times and only walked 39 times. This was a more powerful season for Murray, as he had never hit more than seven home runs in a minor-league season before last year.
Murray was very productive in AA in 2024, as he hit .290 and had a .328 OBP. He also had about half the strikeouts that he did in 2025. However, that season he only hit seven home runs, but he did have more RBIs, as he had 66.
Murray is an interesting player, as he could earn a spot out of camp if he continues this pace in Spring Training. Unfortunately, he is in a very crowded infield position group, as they have multiple players that are out of options. Murray has all his options left, so it’s likely that he will find his way to AAA to start the year. However, if the White Sox feel that he played his way onto the team, he could find himself in a nice utility role.
Overall, I’d give Murray about a 30% chance to make the team out of Spring Training. That is no indication on how he’s played, as he’s been one of the better players in Spring Training to this point, he is just in a very crowded infield group. Regardless, he will likely have a very good season in AAA, and should be one of the first infielders up if there is an injury.