The White Sox got a breather, and the timing could matter for Andrew Benintendi as much as anyone on the roster.
Benintendi was reinstated from the bereavement list ahead of a crucial road series against the Minnesota Twins, returning after time away to be with loved ones during what was clearly a difficult stretch. Now the focus shifts back to baseball, and the Sox need the veteran bat to look more like himself down the stretch.
That’s especially true because August has been rough. In 14 games this month, Benintendi is hitting .222/.283/.370 with nine RBIs. That’s his quietest month since April, when he posted a .211/.258/.378 line and drove in 11 runs while still getting starts in left field before it became obvious his days as a regular defender were over.
He’s been far more valuable since the defensive load came off his plate. The clearest sign is his RBI total: Benintendi has already set a Sox-high with 65.
There may be some wear-and-tear involved here, too. The White Sox have been playing .500 ball in the second half, and Benintendi, at 32, has logged plenty of baseball - even if not nearly as much as 34-year-old Randal Grichuk, which was always expected.
If Chicago is going to finish off the AL Central, Benintendi has to be part of the push. He doesn’t need to match the hot streaks of Miguel Vargas and Tristan Peters, but he does need to reach base at a steady clip and keep the pressure on opposing pitchers. In this part of the season, you can’t be the bat the other side is counting on getting through.
Maybe the pause helps. A little time away, a cleared head, and a fresh return to the grind could be enough to nudge Benintendi back into form. Slumps don’t announce when they’re going to end.
In Other News...
White Sox Fans Will Love Pope Leos Latest Sox Moment
Pope Leo XIVs White Sox connection is starting to feel less like a fun footnote and more like part of the teams broader identity. During a visit to Vatican City, Father Tom McCarthy presented the former Father Bob Prevost with a White Sox-themed hat and other merchandise, a fitting gesture for a pope whose allegiance to the South Side has long been part of his personal story. He was at games during the 2005 World Series, and even from Rome, he has remained a follower of the club.
For White Sox fans, the appeal goes beyond the novelty of seeing their team mentioned in a Vatican setting. McCarthy said the popes love for the Sox has never really gone away, and he also expressed hope for the teams success this season. In a year when every bit of positive attention matters, the sight of the pontiff wearing team gear is the kind of detail supporters are likely to enjoy nearly as much as a win. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Are Betting Big On A Prospect With One Huge Question
The White Sox made one of their more interesting draft-day investments in Alex Weingartner, a New Jersey high school outfielder who landed a $1,397,000 deal after going in the sixth round. For a player outside the usual SEC pipeline, that kind of bonus stands out, and it says plenty about how much Chicago likes the tools. Weingartner has already drawn attention for his running ability and arm strength, and the organization is now focused on helping him sharpen the bat at the White Sox complex.
For a club that has spent plenty of time trying to restock its talent base, the appeal is obvious: there is real upside here if the hit tool comes along. The question hanging over Weingartner is the same one that followed him through the draft process, and it will shape whether this becomes a savvy gamble or just another intriguing name in the system. For now, the White Sox are betting that the physical gifts are good enough to justify the price, and that the rest can be built from there. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Surprise Run Just Raised The Stakes For September
With 28 games left, the White Sox have put themselves in a place few saw coming, sitting atop the American League Central and holding the ALs No. 2 playoff seed. For an organization that has spent recent seasons buried in 100-loss territory, the shift has been dramatic enough to change the tone around the clubhouse and the front office alike, even if nobody inside is pretending the work is finished.
Assistant general manager Josh Barfield said the level of success has been unexpected, a reflection of how much better the talent and preparation have become under general manager Chris Getz. The Sox have tried to keep the conversation grounded, setting realistic expectations and focusing on steady progress rather than letting the standings create extra weight, but September now carries a different kind of significance for a team trying to turn a surprise run into something lasting. [Read more 🡒]