GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chase Meidroth started at second base for the Chicago White Sox in Saturday’s Cactus League opener against the Cubs at Sloan Park. He slid over to shortstop on Monday against the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch.
That versatility is a strength for Meidroth, one of the four players the White Sox acquired in the December trade that sent starting pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox also received catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery and pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez.
All four are in camp this spring, with Teel, Montgomery and Meidroth receiving nonroster invitations.
“It’s been great,” Meidroth told the Tribune last week. “I got out here a few weeks early just to see faces and start learning names and get to know the guys in here. The vibes are good in the clubhouse with the players and coaches. It’s been really fun.”
Manager Will Venable said the four players “all look really comfortable.”
“They’re great guys, they’re competitors and they’ve fit right in,” Venable said before Monday’s game.
All four appeared in Monday’s game, which the Sox lost 11-3 after surrendering nine runs in the first inning.
Meidroth, Teel, Montgomery and Gonzalez recently provided a spring progress report to the Tribune.
Kyle Teel
Teel typically arrives at the Sox facility around 7 a.m. After breakfast and a workout, he’s hitting by 8:15. Then comes catching work, which includes bunt defense and throwing to bases. He catches a few bullpens and then participates in live batting practice as a hitter and catcher.
It’s all part of becoming familiar with a new group of pitchers.
“Everybody’s different — personalities and stuff they’ve got,” Teel told the Tribune. “It’s just not cookie-cutting it. It’s getting to know your guys and understanding their stuff.
“We’re working hard. The workload is definitely high. It’s just paying attention to the small details, getting to know your guys. That’s been my biggest thing.”
Teel, 23, is the No. 32 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. He slashed .288/.386/.433 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs, 78 RBIs, 88 runs, 68 walks and 12 stolen bases in 112 games last season with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He spent two seasons in the Red Sox system after they drafted him in the first round (No. 14) in 2023 out of Virginia.
Teel is one of six catchers in White Sox camp.
“It’s been awesome to be a part of that group,” he said.
Teel is 0-for-1 with two walks and a run in two games this spring. He walked and scored from first on a double by Oscar Colás in the ninth inning Monday.
Braden Montgomery
Montgomery told the Tribune he prepared this offseason “trying to get the body ready for a longer season than I’ve played before.”
The outfielder is back after a broken ankle in an NCAA super regional last year delayed his professional debut.
He had a monster year at Texas A&M in 2024, slashing .322/.454/.733 with 14 doubles, 27 home runs, 85 RBIs, 53 walks and a 1.187 OPS in 61 games. The Red Sox drafted him in the first round (No. 12).
Montgomery, 21, is rated the No. 55 prospect in baseball by MLB.com.
“I love being around baseball, so to be around players as good as these has been super exciting,” he said. “An amazing opportunity. I don’t take it for granted, but I also want to show them who I am as well. I want to take this opportunity to do what I can.
“To have a locker in here and get after it every day has been awesome. It’s been more than I can ask for.”
He is 1-for-2 with a walk in two games this spring, reaching on an infield single in the ninth Monday.
Chase Meidroth
Meidroth and shortstop Colson Montgomery turned a smooth 6-4-3 double play during Saturday’s game.
“They’ve carried themselves with professionalism,” Venable said of the duo. “They bring great energy.”
Meidroth, 23, has concentrated on “seeing pitches, being consistent and getting really comfortable at short, third and everywhere around the infield.”
He’s vying for a spot on the 26-man roster after slashing .293/.437/.401 with 20 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 57 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 122 games for Worcester in 2024. A fourth-round draft pick in 2022, he led all minor-league players last season with 105 walks. His .437 on-base percentage ranked third.
Meidroth is hitless in four at-bats in two games this spring.
Wikelman Gonzalez
Gonzalez has been working on commanding his pitches this spring. He made his first Cactus League outing Monday, allowing two solo home runs in the ninth. He also had one strikeout.
The right-hander had a 4.73 ERA last season in 24 appearances (19 starts) and 92 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings for Portland.
Gonzalez, 22, emphasized strength this offseason.
“I put a lot of focus on my body, trying to strengthen my body,” he told the Tribune through an interpreter last week. “To be stronger because I know that way I’ll be able to handle the long season and also pitch a lot of innings. That’s one of my goals. That’s why I put a lot of effort into this offseason, trying to strengthen my body.”
