Chase Meidroth’s power has come with a steady approach, lifting his numbers and changing how the White Sox generate offense. Sunday’s hit-by-pitch start and opposite-field homer continued a breakout season, even as other roster battles—like the catcher timesha
When Chase Meidroth’s streaks ended on Saturday against the Dodgers—just one hit for the White Sox that day—it looked like the momentum had finally run out. But Sunday told a different story.
Meidroth started another hitting and on-base run in the first place he could: he was hit by a pitch, and then he turned it into real damage—an opposite-field home run. Hitting coach Derek Shomon called that kind of swing a sign of a bigger step Meidroth has taken this season.
“He’s opened up a little bit more slug this year,” Shomon said. “A lot of the conversations revolve around approach and plan. He’s just becoming a more mature hitter at the major-league level.”
Last season, Meidroth slugged .320. This year, he’s up to .402, and his six homers already are more than the five he hit last season. Even with the added pop, he hasn’t abandoned the basics. His just-ended 12-game hitting streak and 22-game on-base streak showed he’s still finding ways to reach—whether it’s contact. patience. or getting on base when the ball won’t cooperate.
Shomon has been pushing hitters to jump on pitches they think they can drive. If that costs them some swings-and-misses along the way, he’s willing to live with it. Meidroth has bought in.
“It’s just knowing when to take your shots,” Shomon said. “Understanding what they’re trying to do to you just to give you a little bit more of an educated guess on when you should take that shot. He’s been great.”
That patience-by-awareness is starting to show up in the at-bats themselves. Shomon described it as a shift in preparation—outside the swing, outside the physical work.
“The more you have a level of awareness that you understand what’s going on, you start asking better questions and you start preparing better,” Shomon said. “And I think a lot of that, outside of the physical stuff, outside of the swing, that’s been a big part for him.”
Meidroth returned the praise with the confidence of someone feeling the difference in the lineup each day. “He’s the best,” Meidroth said of Shomon. “What he brings for our offense every day, it’s second to none. He understands how hard this game is. The confidence he instills in us every day is awesome. He lets us be free and be ourselves every day.”.
Before the last game of the day Sunday, Meidroth ranked third among qualified American League second basemen in homers, slugging percentage and OPS (.753). It’s a brief snapshot, but it’s also the clearest proof of what the changes have done so far.
For the rest of the roster, the questions are sharper—and the timeline is tighter.
Edgar Quero began the season as the Sox’ regular catcher. but a slow start put him into a timeshare after the team called up Drew Romo on April 25. Quero’s memorable game against the Cubs is part of what makes his midseason slump feel more painful: he went 3-for-5 with a walk-off two-run homer. But his slow start has carried into this point. and he’s at risk of losing his spot to Kyle Teel. who’s nearing a rehab assignment after recovering from a knee injury.
Shomon said Quero is in a better place mentally than the batting average suggests. Quero is batting .180.
“He’s had good at-bats,” Shomon said. “He’s been on the barrel several times, maybe with nothing to show for it. On our end, it’s just, ‘Stay in it. It sucks right now, but stay in the fight. The work’s been good. And you’re certainly in a better spot than you were earlier in the year.’ ”
Romo’s season has started to cool as well. After a fast start, he’s hitting .157 and is equally at risk.
What happens next on the South Side may not be decided by one at-bat or one homer. But Meidroth’s transformation has added a new kind of threat to the lineup—one built around timing, pitch selection, and the willingness to take shots when the moment is right.
There’s also plenty already in motion beyond the batter’s box. The Sox drew 38,547 at Rate Field, their sixth sellout of the season and their highest attendance in a game not involving the Cubs.
Teel and left-hander Noah Schultz—both out with knee injuries—are leaving Monday to begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Charlotte.
And the organization keeps pushing prospects up through the system: the Sox promoted infielder Caleb Bonemer, their No. 1-ranked prospect by MLB.com, to Double-A Birmingham.
Chase Meidroth Derek Shomon White Sox Dodgers opposite-field home run Quero Drew Romo Kyle Teel Noah Schultz Triple-A Charlotte Caleb Bonemer Rate Field
So he got hit by a pitch and then homered… that’s kinda insane.
White Sox offense has been struggling for forever and now suddenly it’s like one guy wakes up. I don’t even know the other players names lol.
Wait they said his streak ended Saturday vs Dodgers with one hit? That means he’s still only good against one team or what. Feels like the article is contradicting itself.
Meidroth up to .402?? I thought batting averages were like way lower than that unless they’re counting something else. Also catcher battles… who cares if he’s getting on base. If he’s getting hit by pitches that’s not even “skill” it’s just luck half the time.