2025 South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 76: Phil Fox

Small but mighty, this righty may end up a win for Chicago’s pen

Phil Fox

Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
5´9´´
183 pounds
Age: 25
2024 High Level University of Pittsburgh (NCAA)
Age relative to high level +0.1 years
SSS rank among all right-handed relievers in the system 12
Overall 2024 NCAA stats 3-2 ⚾️ 23 games ⚾️ 36 2⁄3 IP ⚾️ 1.47 ERA ⚾️ 0.791 WHIP ⚾️ 45 K ⚾️ 3 BB

The White Sox selected Phil Fox in Round 7 (No. 199) of the 2024 MLB Draft. The 22-year-old junior pitched two seasons of Division I baseball, one for the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (2023) and the next for his hometown University of Pittsburgh Panthers. (The righthander had sat out 2022 after Tommy John surgery.)

Serving almost exclusively as a reliever, Fox had a combined 46 appearances and accumulated a 6-5 record with a 2.82 ERA over 67 innings in his college career. As the designated closer for Pitt in 2024 he earned eight saves, the second-most in a single season in program history. He also had a streak of 18 scoreless and nine hitless outings.

Fox’s standout statistic, however, was his walks ... or lack thereof. Fox only surrendered three free passes over 36 2⁄3 frames for an unbelievable 0.7 BB/9. But it doesn’t end there. The hurler can also blow it past hitters, amassing 45 strikeouts for an 11.0 K/9 and holding opponents to a .198 batting average. The righty wrapped up his notable collegiate career with All-American, All-Region, and All-ACC accolades.

Not gonna lie; watching that video got me kinda hyped!

With a small but mighty stature of 5´9´´ and 183 pounds, Fox paints the zone with his fastball that touches 96 mph but mostly sits around 91-93. While the fastball is clearly his dominant pitch, he also mixes in a slider and changeup.

Fox’s Baseball Cube player ratings
Durability 100
vs. Power 91
Hittable 91
Strikeouts 86
K/BB 74
Walks 62
Average 84.00

Somehow, walks are Fox’s lowest rating, which may prove the system may need occasional tweaks!

Fox seems a lot like a Brian Bannister project. By all accounts, the righty seems to have the gritty makeup and baseball IQ that aligns with the type of players Chris Getz has been acquiring through the draft and trades. While he’s likely to start 2025 in Kannapolis, improved fastball command and refined secondary pitches could quickly accelerate his progress through the system.

2025 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects

100. Cole McConnell, CF
99. Drake Logan, LF
98. Marcelo Alcala, RF
97. Lyle Miller-Green, 1B
96. Jared Kelley, RHRP
95. Adrian Gil, 1B
94. Adam Hackenberg, C
93. Loidel Chapelli, 2B
92. Eddie Park, CF
91. Chase Plymell, RHRP
90. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, RHRP
89. Tristan Stivors, RHRP
88. Pierce George, RHRP
87. Wes Kath, 3B
86. Daniel González, LHRP
85. Mikey Kane, 1B
84. Shane Murphy, LHSP
83. Connor McCullough, RHSP
82. Braden Shewmake, SS
81. Caleb Freeman, RHRP
80. Michael Turner, C
79. Drew McDaniel, RHSP
78. Jurdrick Profar, SS
77. Reudis Diaz, RHSP
76. Phil Fox, RHRP