MESA, Ariz. — The White Sox’ young catchers have done nothing in spring training to lower expectations heading into their second seasons.

Kyle Teel has impressed veteran pitchers with take-charge moxie behind the plate. And while he had only one hit in 13 at-bats before leaving the Sox for Team Italy on Saturday, the left-handed hitter is controlling the strike zone, manager Will Venable said.

Results don’t matter that much right now because Teel showed he could hit last year.

“We think he’s going to be an elite offensive catcher in this league,” Venable said Sunday. “We saw that last season [when he hit .273/.375/.411 with eight home runs in 78 games]. Looking forward to what the next version of that looks like.”

The switch-hitting Edgar Quero, who hit .268/.333/.356 with five homers in 111 games, homered against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga on Sunday. He’s 9-for-17 (.526) with two doubles this spring and leads the Cactus League with nine RBI.

Venable would prefer having his players stick around in camp, but he’s not stressing much about losing Teel and versatile infielder Sam Antonacci to Team Italy, even though catchers’ work with pitchers is important here.

“[Teel has] put in a ton of work, last year and the front side of camp here,” Venable said. “We’re missing out on some reps, and that’s a real thing, but he’ll jump right back in. He’s done such a good job with that kind of stuff that we’ll catch up on him.”

The Big A

The left-handed-hitting Antonacci heads to the World Baseball Classic having reached safely in six consecutive games with two homers, seven runs, three walks and three steals. He hasn’t struck out in 18 plate appearances.

“He’s locked in, and he has one speed, and that’s all the way,” Venable said. “It’s great to see. It really sets an example for our guys.”

No auditions necessary

Joining the Team Italy players in the WBC are corner infielders Munetaka Murakami (Japan) and Curtis Mead (Australia) and closer Seranthony Dominguez (Dominican Republic).

Besides rooting for them to do well, Venable said the staff will be more locked in on Sox campers in the house.

And how Antonacci plays in the tournament won’t win or lose him a job with the Sox.

“That performance is separate, and, really, he doesn’t have to do anything here,” Venable said. “We have an understanding of where he’s at.

“We like Sam; he’s in a good spot. Whatever that means for him, joining us whether it’s Opening Day or later in the year, he’s going to be someone who contributes regardless of how he plays with Team Italy or the rest of camp.”

Notes

Left fielder Andrew Benintendi (tightness in right side) won’t play until after the Sox’ day off Wednesday, Venable said.

• There’s a good chance center fielder/infielder Luisangel Acuna (cut on forehead) will play Monday. He has been out since Wednesday.

• The Sox lead the majors in hits (107) and doubles (29) this spring.

Sox 5, Cubs 1

The Sox (7-4) hit four solo homers, three against Shota Imanaga, and lefty Anthony Kay allowed one run in 2⅔ -innings against the Cubs’ top lineup.

Edgar Quero, Braden Montgomery and Austin Hays homered off Imanaga, and Lenyn Sosa also went deep. Hays, who has an .819 OPS against lefties, homered for the second time against the Cubs. Montgomery, the Sox’ top outfield prospect who was acquired from the Red Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, also tripled.

• Kay, who made 13 relief appearances for the Cubs in 2023 before starting the last two seasons in Japan, laughed when asked if the Cactus League game had a “rivalry” feel before a full house at Sloan Park. The Sox beat the Cubs 8-1 in the spring opener at Sloan. “Not really,” Kay said. “A little different for me since I was there. Kind of want to get a little bit of revenge, but it’s spring training, so it doesn’t really matter yet.” The teams play for real May 15-17 at Rate Field and Aug. 17-19 at Wrigley Field.

• Infielder Tanner Murray made a great defensive play in an error-free game for the Sox, diving behind third to take extra bases from Nico Hoerner.

• On deck: Giants at Sox, 2:05 p.m. Monday, Glendale, 1000-AM, Landen Roupp vs. Davis Martin.