White Sox vs Brewers: A Reunion on Opening Day
It was December 11, 2024, when Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick received unsettling news. While working out in Boston with fellow professionals, including Brewers farmhand Shane Smith, he learned Smith had been selected first overall by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. Fast forward to over a year later, and Smith is now poised to start against his former club and Jacob Misiorowski on Opening Day at American Family Field.
For Frelick and the Brewers organization, Smith represents a talent that slipped through their fingers. “I’ve known Shane since I was nine years old, so I know him very well,” Frelick said. “I couldn’t believe we didn’t protect him. I knew he was going to be selected, and I knew what he was capable of.”
A Risk That Paid Off for the White Sox
While hindsight is 20/20, the Brewers’ decision wasn’t straightforward at the time, considering Smith’s injury history. However, by the end of 2025, his fastball had become a formidable weapon, regularly reaching 98 mph and ranking in the 99th percentile in Statcast run value. The Brewers had a full 40-man roster and ultimately decided to risk losing Smith, hoping he’d go unnoticed.
Now, they’ll face him in the earliest season opener in either franchise’s history, marking only the third time these former American League rivals have met on Opening Day.
Pitching Matchup: Smith vs. Misiorowski
White Sox: RHP Shane Smith
- Previous Opening Day starts: None
- 2025 season: 7-8, 3.81 ERA in 29 starts
Smith’s journey to becoming a key member of the White Sox rotation is a remarkable story. Initially signed by the Brewers after going undrafted due to injuries during his time at Wake Forest, he was drafted by the White Sox in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft and quickly became a ‘25 All-Star. His early career wasn’t without challenges, including a rough Cactus League start, but he persevered, leading the team with 146 1/3 innings pitched and 145 strikeouts.
“It’s been a long journey from being 18 to being 25,” Smith reflected, recalling his shoulder and Tommy John surgeries. “A lot of reflection. Being grateful for having the opportunity to get healthy again and hopefully step on the mound.”
Brewers: RHP Jacob Misiorowski
- Previous Opening Day starts: None
- 2025 season: 5-3, 4.36 ERA in 15 games (14 starts)
Misiorowski’s 2025 season was a whirlwind of experiences. He debuted in June, throwing 103 mph fastballs, didn’t allow a hit until his 13th inning, and earned an NL All-Star invitation after just five starts – the fastest invitation in MLB history. However, he later struggled, leading to a temporary removal from the rotation and a shift to the bullpen, where he became a valuable postseason asset.
Both Misiorowski and the Brewers are aiming for a more consistent season in 2026. “The postseason going how it went made it a lot easier to swallow how the regular season ended,” Misiorowski said. “It was good it ended that way. It propelled me into the offseason to really train hard and get ready for this year.”
Misiorowski gets the Opening Day nod due to Quinn Priester’s injury and Brandon Woodruff’s need for a cautious build-up. The Brewers prioritized Woodruff’s health, aiming for a strong finish in September and, hopefully, October.
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