Daniel Wright
Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
6´9´´
245 pounds
Age: 24
First Appearance on the South Side Sox Top 100
2026 High Level
Age relative to high level -3.2 years
SSS rank among all right-handed relief pitchers in the system 18
Overall 2026 season stats 2-1 ⚾️ 33 games (1 start, 10 finishes) ⚾️ 1 SV ⚾️ 42 1/3 IP ⚾️ 2.98 ERA ⚾️ 1.441 WHIP ⚾️ 39 K ⚾️ 7 BB ⚾️ 1.3 WAR
The Chicago White Sox took a flier on the right-handed reliever, selecting him in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB draft
(No. 286) out of the University of Iowa.
Wright had an unconventional start to his baseball career. A native of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Wright was a multi-sport standout in high school in football, baseball and, yes, basketball, even earning himself a McDonald’s All-America nomination. After graduation, he initially pursued a career in college football, walking on as a quarterback for the University of Wisconsin before returning to baseball.
Prior to landing in Iowa City, Wright had stops at Iowa Western Community College and the University of Houston. With the Hawkeyes in 2025, he went 2–2 with a 3.41 ERA in 18 games, striking out 20 over 29 innings. The full college tour? He went 6–5, with 60 Ks, in 80 innings, over 49 appearances. Not exactly world-beater numbers, but he got the job done.
On the mound, the 6´9´´ righty features a fastball that sits 91–93 mph and can touch 95, complemented by a much more interesting mid-80s cutter/slider.
The 24-year-old spent all but one game with the Single-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in 2026, usually working toward the back end of the bullpen in the seventh and eighth innings. His first full professional season got off to a rocky start, posting a 5.84 ERA in April over 12⅓ innings. But Wright settled in as the season progressed, including a stretch of seven consecutive appearances in May and June without allowing an earned run.
He even squeezed in a successful Triple-A cameo. Called up to Charlotte for one game on August 9, Wright picked up the win after handling the third and fourth innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking none and striking out two. Not a bad way to spend a day away from the Ballers.
Wright’s improvement after that rough opening stretch gives him something to build on heading into 2027. He will likely open the season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons, and a strong start could earn him a longer look with the Charlotte Knights.
Full 2027 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects Storystream
