White Sox Pitching Coach Bove Sees 'Hungry' Staff Eager to Improve

Bove provides camp evaluations of rotation and bullpen competition as Sox prepare for season

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In his first season as Chicago White Sox pitching coach, Zach Bove is encouraged by what he's seen from the team's pitching staff during spring training. Bove highlighted the competition for spots in the rotation and bullpen, praising the pitchers' willingness to improve and work together. He provided updates on several key pitchers, including Shane Smith, Anthony Kay, and prospects Davis Martin and Sean Burke.

Why it matters

The White Sox are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season, and the development of their pitching staff will be crucial to their success. Bove's evaluations provide insight into how the team's pitchers are progressing and the level of competition within the organization as they finalize their roster for Opening Day.

The details

Bove said the White Sox pitchers have been "open to suggestions" and "want to get better," creating a collaborative environment. He emphasized the focus on getting ahead in counts and praised the bullpen depth, which includes the addition of Seranthony Domínguez. Bove provided updates on several pitchers, including Smith working on his slider, Kay adjusting well after returning from Japan, and prospects Martin and Burke making positive strides.

  • The White Sox are currently in spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.

The players

Zach Bove

In his first season as the Chicago White Sox pitching coach, Bove previously spent the last three seasons as an assistant pitching coach with the Kansas City Royals.

Shane Smith

A right-handed pitcher who had a successful rookie season for the White Sox in 2025.

Anthony Kay

A pitcher who is readjusting to the major leagues after spending the last two seasons pitching in Japan.

Davis Martin

A White Sox pitching prospect who the team has stretched out while evaluating rotation options.

Sean Burke

A White Sox pitching prospect who Bove says "has been awesome" and is "moving in the right direction."

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What they’re saying

“They're open to suggestions. They want to get better. It's been great. Just build that relationship, guys want to continuously improve.”

— Zach Bove, White Sox Pitching Coach (chicagotribune.com)

“Cannon has been good. It's unique because hearing the perspective of people who have been here, seeing him, they think he's made a big step — which I totally agree with that.”

— Zach Bove, White Sox Pitching Coach (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The White Sox will continue to evaluate their pitching staff over the next few weeks as they work to finalize their Opening Day roster.

The takeaway

Bove's positive assessments of the White Sox pitching staff, particularly the competition and willingness to improve, suggest the team is well-positioned to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and field a strong pitching corps in 2026.