“Whole New Mindset This Year”: Walcott, 19, Delivers Career Night at Double-A

By [Skylamp]
[pressjournal.com.ng]
May 31, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — At just 19 years old, Ethan Walcott is already proving he belongs among baseball’s elite prospects. The Chicago White Sox phenom, ranked as MLB’s No. 9 overall prospect, put on a show Thursday night at Double-A Birmingham, launching two home runs in a single game for the first time in his professional career.

Walcott’s breakout performance came in the Barons’ 7-4 victory over the Tennessee Smokies, electrifying the crowd at Regions Field and further cementing his status as one of the game’s most exciting young talents.

A Night to Remember

The young shortstop wasted no time making an impact, crushing a first-inning fastball over the right-field wall for a solo shot. But he wasn’t done. In the fifth inning, Walcott stepped up again, this time demolishing a hanging slider deep into the night for a three-run blast that broke the game open.

“Feels amazing,” Walcott said postgame, still grinning. “I’ve been working on staying balanced at the plate, not trying to do too much. Tonight, everything just clicked.”

His stat line for the evening: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs. The multi-homer game marked a new career milestone for the 2023 first-round pick, who has been rapidly ascending through the White Sox system.

A Refined Approach at the Plate

What’s different about Walcott this season? According to the teenager himself, it’s all about mindset.

“Last year, I was pressing a lot—trying to prove I belonged,” Walcott admitted. “This year, I’m just letting the game come to me. Trusting my hands, my eyes. It’s a whole new mindset.”

That adjustment is paying off. After a solid but unspectacular 2024 campaign in Low-A and High-A, Walcott has exploded in 2025, slashing .285/.368/.542 with 12 homers and 38 RBI through his first 50 games at Double-A. His improved plate discipline (a 12% walk rate) and reduced strikeouts (down to 20% from 28% last year) suggest a hitter maturing ahead of schedule.

Praise from Coaches and Scouts

Birmingham Barons hitting coach Carlos Lee, a former MLB All-Star, has been impressed with Walcott’s growth.

“Ethan’s always had the tools—the bat speed, the power, the athleticism,” Lee said. “But now he’s learning how to be a complete hitter. He’s not just swinging for the fences; he’s controlling at-bats. That’s what separates the good prospects from the future stars.”

Scouts in attendance Thursday night noted Walcott’s improved pitch recognition and ability to adjust mid-swing—traits that bode well for his eventual transition to the majors.

“He’s making hard contact to all fields now,” said one AL scout. “The power was never in question, but the way he’s handling off-speed stuff? That’s the real development.”

The Road Ahead

With his stock rising rapidly, the question now becomes: How soon will Walcott reach the big leagues?

White Sox GM Chris Getz has preached patience, but Walcott’s rapid development could force the issue. If he continues to dominate Double-A, a late-season promotion to Triple-A Charlotte—or even a 2026 MLB debut—isn’t out of the question.

For now, though, Walcott is focused on the present.

“I’m not thinking about the majors yet,” he said. “Just trying to get better every day. Nights like this? They’re fun, but the work doesn’t stop.”

If Thursday was any indication, the baseball world should buckle up. Ethan Walcott is coming—and he’s only getting started.

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