The Chicago White Sox have many prospects who could potentially join their core this season, including infielder and Chicago native Sam Antonacci.
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Antonacci is one of the White Sox’s top prospects and showed a lot of progress last season, jumping three levels in the White Sox system (Rookie Ball to Double-A). Antonacci also appeared in the Arizona Fall League, where he showcased his hitting tool and ability to get on base, batting .378 in 74 at-bats (93 plate appearances) and had a .505 on-base percentage.
Antonacci’s ability to get on base is one of his strongest skills (career .439 OBP), with a knack for getting hit by pitches, which helps with his goal of getting on base. Antonacci got hit a total of 49 times last season.
“Definitely hurts a little bit, but you have to grow up at some point and just be able to play through it,” the non-roster invite to White Sox Spring Training told Scott Merkin of MLB.com prior to Tuesday’s workouts. “It was instilled in me in college, especially when kind of getting screamed at it if I got out of the way. I’m happy I have those teachings.
My mom hates me for it. I found that out in the offseason,” said Antonacci with a laugh. “She said I’m going to get hurt that way. She could be right. But I would rather get hurt for wearing a pitch to help my team out than getting out of the way and then striking out. So, she can be mad at that, but we’ll have our differences. I’m just here to try to get on first base.”
Sam Antonacci is excited to play with his future teammate, Kyle Teel, in the WBC
Antonacci will not be in spring training with the White Sox for long, as he will be joining his teammate, catcher Kyle Teel, to play for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Antonacci said he’s excited to play with his future teammate, saying, “It should be fun.”
“I’m excited to play alongside Teel. That should be fun,” Antonacci said. “Right now, I’m honestly just here to meet all these guys and kind of just get together with them and build on what the White Sox are doing, and then when Team Italy comes, I’ll focus on that. My sole focus is here and getting better with these guys.”
Sam Antonacci could be up with the Chicago White Sox at some point this season
Antonacci isn’t a top-100 prospect in baseball. Still, he could turn out to be a productive big leaguer, given his hitting abilities, posting a career .298 batting average, and his ability not to strike out, walking 69 times to 73 strikeouts in 2025 (86 walks and 86 strikeouts for his career).
Unlikely to break out of camp with the White Sox, it isn’t out of the question that Antonacci could get a call-up this season, as his ability to play third base, shortstop, and second base could help his chances. The White Sox currently have an opening at third base, but given his power and speed, Antonacci would be more suited to play centerfield, where there’s also a need.
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