The White Sox are already sketching out a different path for Sam Antonacci after his strong 2026 season, and it sounds like his next step may come with more dirt under his cleats.
Antonacci was one of Chicago’s biggest offensive bright spots in a year that also featured breakout seasons from first baseman Munetaka Murakami and outfielder Tristan Peters. The utility man gave the White Sox exactly the kind of edge they wanted: energy, production, and a bat that kept showing up. In 140 games, he hit .277/.370/.396 with eight home runs and 20 stolen bases, and he finished ninth in American League Rookie of the Year voting.
The problem was the glove. Chicago moved Antonacci into the outfield before the season to fill a need, even though it was his first time playing there professionally.
The results weren’t a total mess, but the adjustment came with obvious bumps. Baseball Savant had him at -9 Outs Above Average overall, including -7 OAA in left field.
That defensive slide is part of why general manager Chris Getz is already talking about a role change. In an interview with MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, Getz suggested Antonacci could see more time back in the infield in 2027.
"For a bat, right-handed bat, outfield, I think, makes the most sense," Getz said. "We do have a depth of infielders.
Sam Antonacci has played a lot of left field. Did great, learned on the fly, but I think getting him back into the infield a little bit more would be good."
That doesn’t sound like Chicago is pushing Antonacci out of the lineup. If anything, the White Sox appear to be looking for a way to keep his bat in play while reshuffling the defense around him. Getz has said the team will be hunting for a right-handed hitting outfield bat this offseason, which points toward a platoon setup more than any kind of hard pivot away from Antonacci.
If that move happens, Antonacci could spend more time in the infield, especially against right-handed pitching. One possible alignment would have Miguel Vargas at first, Antonacci at second, Chase Meidroth at shortstop, and Colson Montgomery at third, with Murakami sliding into designated hitter at times.
Antonacci may be more comfortable at second base, but he is not taking Meidroth’s spot. The White Sox aren’t going to mess with that bat or glove.
Montgomery, meanwhile, is the bigger question after striking out an MLB-record 227 times and fading late in the year. His defense is already elite, but the bat has to come around in what feels like a make-or-break season.
For Chicago, the bigger picture is pretty clear: Antonacci’s offense is too valuable to sit, even if the defensive fit needs work. Getz and Will Venable have already shown they can build lineups around what this young group does best, and they’ll have to keep doing that if they want to squeeze the most out of a roster that took a step forward in 2026.
In Other News...
White Sox Fans Get A Rare Shot At Team Treasures This Weekend
White Sox fans looking for a bargain, or just a piece of team history, will get a rare chance this weekend when the Chicago White Sox Charities Fall Garage Sale returns to Rate Field. The free public event is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT on the Rate Field Patio, with an expanded layout and an improved checkout process designed to handle the crowd a little more smoothly.
The sale will feature thousands of discounted items, including autographed memorabilia and game-used jerseys, with all proceeds going to Chicago White Sox Charities. Parking opens at 6 a.m., free parking will be available in Lot E, and buyers will need to bring a credit card since all transactions will be cashless. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Offseason Plan Puts The Rotation At The Center
The White Sox are heading into the offseason with a clear priority, and it starts on the mound. Chicago is focusing on strengthening its rotation, with Grant Taylor expected to move from the bullpen into a starting role as the club looks for more stability and upside in the group that will carry it into next season.
GM Chris Getz has also signaled that bullpen additions are not the main focus right now, though low-cost veteran arms could still be brought in for depth. On the position-player side, the White Sox are keeping their infield prospects out of trade talks for the moment, even as division rivals like the Twins and Guardians make their own moves around pitching and staff roles. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Fans May Need More Patience With Caleb Bonemer
Caleb Bonemer has kept pushing his way into the conversation with a strong 2026 season, and the White Sox have also been expanding his game by getting him work in the outfield in the Arizona Fall League. Even so, Chris Getz made it clear the organization is not planning to rush its top prospect straight into the majors, with Bonemer set to begin the 2027 season at Triple-A Charlotte instead of breaking camp with the big league club.
There is also a broader wrinkle hanging over the timeline. A potential MLB lockout could alter when Bonemer ultimately reaches Chicago, though his status outside the 40-man roster means he would still be eligible to keep playing in the minors if that happens. For a fan base eager to see the next wave arrive, it is another reminder that the path from prospect to regular is often less direct than it looks. [Read more 🡒]