GLENDALE, Ariz. – Sam Antonacci almost certainly won’t break camp with the White Sox, a point stressed by general manager Chris Getz when asked prior to Wednesday’s 8-4 loss to the Angels in Cactus League action.
But with the impressive style of play during Spring Training and for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic from the club’s No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, the trip to Chicago shouldn’t be far removed for the feisty 23-year-old infielder.
“He’s made a tremendous impression. Not surprised,” Getz said. “From the beginning, when we signed him, the feedback we were getting from our player development crew, his stops at different affiliates last year, this is a kid that can do a lot of different things to help a baseball team win.
“What he’s about, what he brings on a daily basis, it’s a winning style of baseball that’s going to fit in very well here. I’m very confident that the South Side is going to enjoy watching Sam Antonacci when the time comes.”
Antonacci came into camp off a breakout 2025 Minor League campaign, where he picked up 48 stolen bases across three stops and was hit by a pitch 39 times, including four with Glendale during the Arizona Fall League. He has shown off his power since Cactus League games began, going deep against Jameson Taillon and Tanner Bibee and then connecting Tuesday against Nolan McLean in Team Italy’s victory.
“I’m here, but at the end of the day, all that stuff is just like a number and it doesn’t really mean anything to me,” said Antonacci of his fast-rising prospect status before he left for the WBC. “You are just playing for your team. It’s good to hear but you have to do what you gotta do and go from there.”
Mead returns
After finishing 5-for-14 with one home run and three RBIs for Team Australia, Curtis Mead returned to the White Sox on Wednesday.
“It was special,” Mead said. “The cool thing about those games is if the team wins, that’s all that really matters. It was super special to have a pretty successful tournament by our standards, I guess. It’s disappointing to come up a little bit short, but it was definitely a memorable experience.”
Mead is one of the numerous talented players on the White Sox Spring Training roster who is out of options, leaving the team with some tough decisions to make before March 26 in Milwaukee. The third baseman believes his time in the WBC can help him.
“I feel good about how I’m feeling and excited about the rest of camp and beginning the season,” Mead said. “It definitely gave me some confidence, not only in my performance but in my body. I’ve already played five nine-inning games.”
Injury updates
Outfielder Everson Pereira played his second Cactus League game since being scratched from the starting lineup on Feb. 20 and sidelined with right oblique soreness. He will try to build up to be ready for the start of the regular season.
“First and foremost, just trying to stay healthy,” said Pereira through interpreter Billy Russo, before singling and picking up a stolen base Wednesday. “Get everything in sync on my game. My timing, my bat speed, everything.”
Brooks Baldwin has not played since March 6 due to right elbow soreness he sustained while throwing to bases, according to manager Will Venable. The switch-hitting outfielder is day to day.
Montgomery for three
The White Sox 3-point shooting contest came to an end Wednesday morning, with Colson Montgomery topping Mike Vasil, Ryan Borucki and Zach Franklin in the finals. The left-handed shooting Montgomery is the all-time leading scorer for Southridge High School in Huntingburg, Ind., and the one-time three-sport standout homered later in the day off the Angels’ Alek Manoah.
“He had the shooter’s touch going on a little bit. Obviously he has played,” said catcher Korey Lee, who was one of the many White Sox players watching the hoops action. “But get him in the pool and we’ll see who wins there.”
Lee was an accomplished water polo player in high school.