White Sox Infield: A Tale of Depth and Competition
Sam Antonacci is turning heads this spring for the White Sox, and while GM Chris Getz has said he won't start the season with the big league club, his performance is certainly putting pressure on Chase Meidroth.
Meidroth quickly became a fan favorite with his sharp eye at the plate, consistent contact, and ability to play multiple infield positions. Called up in early April, he made an immediate impact, racking up 10 hits in his first 10 games. By the end of his rookie year, he reached base 165 times, ranking third among AL rookies.
However, in July, Meidroth shifted from shortstop to second base to make room for Colson Montgomery, who smashed 21 homers in just 71 games. Montgomery is just one of many emerging talents in a suddenly stacked White Sox infield.
A Crowded Infield Picture
Caleb Bonemer, the team's third-ranked prospect, snagged Carolina League MVP honors in Single-A. William Bergolla Jr., ranked 11th, hit .286 in Double-A with an impressive 5% strikeout rate. Meanwhile, Billy Carlson, a 2025 first-round pick, is hailed as one of the top defensive shortstops from last year's draft.
The White Sox also hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, with UCLA's Roch Cholowsky as the favorite. He's touted as the best college shortstop prospect in a decade, with MLB Pipeline calling him the most well-rounded in 20 years. Cholowsky could rise quickly through the minors, potentially pushing Montgomery to third base as soon as next season.
While Meidroth is set as the starting second baseman, Antonacci is emerging as a significant contender for playing time.
Meidroth's Performance and Challenges
Meidroth hasn't disappointed, maintaining a high floor with a 14% strikeout rate, placing him in the 88th percentile in MLB. His whiff, chase, and squared-up rates are all top-tier.
However, with limited power and a .649 OPS last season, he hasn't yet secured his spot as the long-term solution at second base. A slow start could open the door for Antonacci.
Antonacci's Winning Edge
Antonacci's breakout in the Arizona Fall League, with 28 hits and three homers in 19 games, has kept him in the spotlight. He's already gone deep in Cactus League play and shone in the World Baseball Classic with a 403-foot homer for Team Italy.
His power surge is notable given his five homers in the minors last year, where he still managed a .291/.433/.409 slash line with 32 extra-base hits. But it's his gritty, winning style that truly stands out. In the WBC, he made a heads-up play against Team USA, scoring on a passed ball, and later tricked a baserunner into a double play against Mexico.
“What he’s about, what he brings on a daily basis, it’s a winning style of baseball that’s going to fit in very well here,” Getz said confidently.
Antonacci's knack for winning isn't new. He helped Heartland Community College win the NJCAA Division II national championship in 2023 and shined at Coastal Carolina with a .367 average and a .523 on-base percentage.
Meidroth's Future
There's talk of moving Antonacci to the outfield to manage the infield logjam, but Meidroth's position isn't secure. His arm makes second base his best fit, which could be problematic if Cholowsky and Montgomery are in the mix next season.
Offensively, he mirrors Bergolla but with a lower ceiling than Antonacci. Bonemer’s .874 OPS adds another layer to the decision-making.
For the White Sox, this depth is a good problem to have. It might force some trades down the line, but in the short term, Meidroth's performance this season could determine his role as a starter, trade piece, or bench option.