{"id":320103,"date":"2025-11-29T07:04:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T07:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/320103\/"},"modified":"2025-11-29T07:04:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T07:04:10","slug":"could-white-sox-prospect-sam-antonacci-be-a-factor-in-the-majors-next-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/320103\/","title":{"rendered":"Could White Sox prospect Sam Antonacci be a factor in the majors next season?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Balancing the lineup will be a priority for the White Sox<\/a> this offseason.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018We\u2019ve gotten a little right-handed-redundant on the infield,\u2019\u2019 general manager Chris Getz said this month at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas. \u2018\u2018Sam Antonacci comes to mind as a left-handed bat that can be inserted into the infield to help attack that.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Was that slip intentional or unintentional? Antonacci, the Sox\u2019 fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, has risen rapidly through the farm system. He finished the regular season at Double-A Birmingham, where he batted .292\/.435\/.381, and Getz said he has \u2018\u2018been outstanding.\u2019\u2019 MLB.com lists Antonacci as the 11th-ranked player in the Sox\u2019 system.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s notable that Getz mentioned Antonacci, 22, as a potential solution, given that he hasn\u2019t even had an at-bat in Triple-A.<\/p>\n

Antonacci\u2019s ascent continued in the Arizona Fall League, where he slashed .378\/.505\/.541 in 19 games. He showed impressive contact skills and played multiple positions, though second base has been his priority.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Definitely feel comfortable wherever they put me,\u2019\u2019 Antonacci said. \u2018\u2018I\u2019m just having a lot of fun playing wherever they put me. I\u2019ve gotten a lot better just understanding how a lot of other people here go about their routines and learning what works for them.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018[I\u2019ve just been] reading hops and [doing] glove work and stuff like that. It has benefitted me to be out there around this quality of infielders. I\u2019m looking forward to what\u2019s ahead.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Antonacci rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone. Though he doesn\u2019t have much power, the Sox could use his bat-to-ball skills in the lineup. Sox left-handed hitters batted .230\/.317\/.385 in 2025.<\/p>\n

The Sox seem to be invested in the continued development of corner infielders Miguel Vargas and Curtis Mead. A left-handed hitter would be brought in to complement the two, Getz said. But given how frequently manager Will Venable uses his bench, a left-handed hitter could see quite a bit of playing time.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018It can come in different forms,\u2019\u2019 Getz said when he was asked whether there\u2019s a preferred position the left-handed hitter would play. \u2018\u2018Versatility is great. It would be nice if they could play a little bit of third base. But we\u2019ve got some flexibility with Colson [Montgomery] being able to play some third, and Chase [Meidroth] can play all over.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Given that the Sox aren\u2019t likely to be huge spenders in free agency, Antonacci could be an intriguing in-house option. He wouldn\u2019t bring the certainty an established veteran would, but he would provide a cheaper option that would allow the Sox to spend money in other areas.<\/p>\n

Antonacci handled the AFL well and adjusted to the higher caliber of pitching. Instead of overhauling or tinkering with his swing, he just leaned into his strengths and trusted the results would follow.<\/p>\n

But Antonacci said he doesn\u2019t want his development to plateau at the AFL level. He is a dedicated worker with instincts that have allowed him to outperform his physical traits.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I would say it\u2019s no confidence-booster because you\u2019re not in the big leagues putting up these numbers,\u2019\u2019 Antonacci said of his AFL success.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I don\u2019t really want to be known as a good [AFL] player; I want to be known as a productive big-leaguer who brings a championship to Chicago.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018It\u2019s obviously better than not succeeding here, but there\u2019s still a lot of work to be done to get to where I want to be.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A working group spent three months studying stadium developments across the U.S. to see what worked and what failed and found the ideal stadium district was in Chicago. <\/p>\n

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Outfield has become a pressing need for the Sox this winter. <\/p>\n

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Could the Sox deal from their catching depth to improve at other positions?<\/p>\n

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The Sox acquired Pereira, a former top-100 prospect, from the Rays this week. <\/p>\n

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