The White Sox have nine members playing for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the AFL, three of whom are among the system’s Top 30 prospects. Glendale currently leads the league with a 5-2 record. Here’s your Week 1 update!

Eric Adler
The 23-year-old had a solid start in his first two AFL games. Over two appearances, he didn’t surrender a hit or a run during three innings of relief and earned one save. Unfortunately, the hitters caught up to Adler in his third contest, where he got rocked for three runs on three hits and a walk in one inning of work. Although the righthander has strikeout stuff, he only has two Ks. One of his areas of improvement continues to be walks, as Adler has given up three free passes so far.

Andrew Dalquist
Unfortunately, this righty’s introduction to the AFL has been rough. Over two outings of one inning each, it’s been pretty brutal. Dalquist took the mound in the fourth inning of the DD’s first game and gave up four runs on three hits and two walks. His second appearance was a titch better, as he sliced the tallies in half, serving up just a two-run bomb to Oak Lawn native Charlie Szykowny. With an ERA of 27.00 and a WHIP of 4.50, there’s certainly room for improvement, and hopefully, things will only trend up from here.

D.J. Gladney
After ending the regular minor league season with the game-winning RBI that clinched the Southern League Championship, Gladney’s momentum hasn’t carried over to the AFL. The slugger has appeared in five games and has three singles and two walks. Defensively, he’s been perfect in the field, though, spending time patrolling all three outfield positions.

Tim Elko
The first baseman has met each challenge he’s faced at every level in professional ball with Chicago, and he’s also holding his own in the AFL: Elko had five hits in four games over 18 plate appearances, including two homers and five RBIs, resulting in a .278/.316/.611 slash line.

Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa
The righthander probably wishes he could hit the reset button. Despite this being his second season in the AFL (last year, for the Texas Rangers), Hoopii-Tuionetoa’s nerves were still fluttering in this year’s AFL debut, as he tossed one inning in Glendale’s first contest and surrendered three runs on three hits with a walk and a K. Three days later, he got the nod out of the pen again and lowered his ERA by securing the final out of the seventh and earning a hold.

Colson Montgomery
Some great news for you! Chicago’s No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 37) has kept the hitting going after finding his rhythm in Charlotte at the end of the season. Playing in five of the first seven games, Colson is slashing .417/.632/.750 with a 1.382 OPS, including one round-tripper. He’s also doing the little things as well, with five walks and two stolen bases.

Peyton Pallette
The righthander debuted out of the pen in Glendale’s first game last Tuesday, where he gave up one run on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts over one inning. The struggles continued when he pitched again four days later and surrendered four runs on four hits in two innings of work. Hopefully, after an impressive final month of the year with the Barons, it’s just taking a bit of time for the South Siders’ No. 27 prospect to find his AFL groove.

Grant Taylor: Taylor’s 2-0 record doesn’t fully capture his performance. Unlike regulation baseball, pitchers in the AFL can earn a win without pitching five innings, which explains his 2-0 record despite only tossing four innings. Chicago’s No. 6 overall prospect spent much of the regular 2024 MiLB season on the injured list, so this AFL stint is likely more continued rehabilitation work than anything. Even though he has an 11.25 ERA, Taylor’s eight Ks are a positive takeaway.

Michael Turner
As Chicago’s oldest prospect in the AFL, one would expect to see better output from the 26-year-old, but so far, that has not been the case. He’s had three hits in three contests over 12 at-bats, resulting in a .250/.308/.500 slash line.

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