The White Sox are closing in on finalizing their Opening Day roster and the club’s ninth-ranked prospect did not make the cut. On Monday, White Sox manager Will Venable said that Chase Meidroth will start the season in Charlotte.
Jacob Amaya has emerged as the frontrunner for the Opening Day shortstop role, while Lenyn Sosa is expected to start the season at second base. Amaya will likely be a placeholder until Josh Rojas, who fractured his toe in Spring Training, is on the mend.
Amaya is a solid defender who provides versatility, however, his offensive production has been limited. Last season, he owned a .179 batting average in 71 plate appearances before being placed on waivers this offseason. The Orioles claimed the 26-year-old, then placed him on waivers shortly after allowing the White Sox to scoop him back up. During spring training, he went 6 for 34 at the plate.
A Similar Approach to Colson Montgomery—But Is It Justified?
Seeing that he has no long-term future with the team, the decision to prioritize him over Meidroth is puzzling. The White Sox are taking a similar approach with Meidroth as they did with their fourth-ranked prospect, Colson Montgomery. Montgomery was allowed to compete for the starting shortstop job. However, after tweaking his back during Spring Training, the club opted to send him to Charlotte to get more consistent reps before making his MLB debut.
Like Montgomery, he struggled at the plate this spring, albeit in a small 41 at-bat sample size. However, unlike Montgomery, Meidroth has nothing left to prove in Triple-A. The 23-year-old posted the lowest chase rate in Triple-A last season while providing solid infield defense.
In 558 plate appearances with the Worcester Red Sox, Meidroth led the Triple-A International League with a .437 on-base percentage, an impressive feat in just his second professional season. It was a sequel to what he did during his first professional season when he owned a .408 OBP in Double-A Portland, which was the highest mark in the Boston Red Sox farm system.
Meidroth’s Track Record Suggests He’s Ready
Meidroth also has solid bat-to-ball skills, a good understanding of the strike zone, and rarely strikes out, with more career minor-league walks (199) than strikeouts (180). Last season, he logged 128 hits en route to a .293 batting average. While he doesn't hit for power, his bat speed and short swing make him a serviceable He is also an above-average defender who can play second base, shortstop, and third.
His well-rounded offensive approach could provide immediate value for a White Sox lineup that struggled with plate discipline last season. If he did struggle early on, the White Sox could then send him to Charlotte once Rojas is ready to return.
