CHICAGO -- Saturday was the sort of day general manager Chris Getz envisioned for the White Sox organization.
It began with center fielder Tristan Peters deservedly being selected as an American League All-Star replacement, moved on to the selection of Roch Cholowsky with the top pick overall in the 2026 Draft and then Landon Thome at No. 34. They finished off activities with a 1-0 victory over the Athletics at Rate Field, giving the White Sox 11 series wins at home in their last 12.
At 49-45, the White Sox are a first-place team in the American League Central with one game left until the All-Star break. They also appear to be getting even stronger for the future.
“It’s been a good day so far,” Getz said. “The fact that we had the first pick today and we are currently in first place is something that I don’t take for granted. Not an easy thing to do, but certainly represents the progress we’ve made as an organization.
“We hope to continue this special year. Regardless of how the year plays out, we’ve accomplished a lot this year. Today certainly signifies something that is a big deal for the organization.”
After battling the Guardians to a four-game split last weekend in Cleveland, the White Sox were swept by the Red Sox at home in one of their worst overall three-game stretches since a 6-13 start to the season. Credit, of course, should also go to Boston in those three games. But this White Sox team has been able to quickly push aside the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and facing the Athletics (41-54), who now have an eight-game losing streak, seemed to be the perfect elixir.
Defense was the story for the White Sox -- or runs saved, to be exact. Randal Grichuk’s diving catch in left field on Jeff McNeil’s blooper ended the second inning and staved off two runs. Luisangel Acuña made a trio of top-notch plays at shortstop, including a diving stop on Tyler Soderstrom’s grounder with nobody out in the eighth to prevent a run following Jacob Wilson’s leadoff triple.
“It was awesome. He saved the game a bunch of times,” said second baseman Chase Meidroth of Acuña. “Without what he did on defense today, we don’t win that game. Props to him for showing up and playing both sides of the ball.”
Meidroth doubled home Colson Montgomery in the sixth for the game’s lone run, making a winner of Erick Fedde, who followed Bryan Hudson and Chris Murphy as the bulk hurler. Fedde threw four scoreless innings, striking out three.
Grant Taylor’s scoreless relief over 1 2/3 innings produced his fourth save, as he struck out two and walked one.
“That was awesome. It’s great to win the series, especially with the last one, just great momentum going into the All-Star break,” Taylor said. “Had a lot of great performances today on the defensive side -- Grichuk, Acuña. Everyone came in and contributed to this, so that’s a good thing for us.”
“Obviously, he’s performing at such a high level, and you’re able to drop him in the game in different spots,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Taylor. “He always wants the ball, he’s always available. Really special weapon to have.”
This momentous day ended with the first-ever White Sox Alumni Home Run Derby, and the first title went to Leury García. It was the switch-hitting infielder who hit a memorable home run during a Game 3 victory over the Astros in the 2021 American League Division Series.
Garcia’s home run five seasons ago produced the last playoff victory for the South Siders. There have been some lean years since, with three straight seasons of 100-plus losses. But Saturday’s excitement shows the growth of the White Sox and even greater hope for the future.
“In ’24, there weren’t a lot of days where you could be happy to hold your head high,” Fedde said. “This organization seems like it’s in a great spot. My first experience with the White Sox was getting a call from Getz welcoming me to the team.
“Just to see the kind of success he’s had … obviously made a bunch of trades, had a bunch of good hires. This organization seems like it’s headed in the right direction. I’m really happy for him, really happy for the Sox. These guys are working their butts off to keep winning ballgames.”