Autumn Dreamin

Kelenic with 2 nice catches and a 3 run HR (111mph, 419)

I was posting Sox/Murakami specific highlights here, but I think it makes sense for general WBC talk to have its own thread.

Mune started the rally with a walk and keeps it going with an RBI single as Japan bats around in the second. A walk, run scored, hit, and RBI in one inning can't be too common.

Mune tried to match him:

Interestingly, his top EVs in spring are all against 95mph+ He actually has the highest recorded EV of any White Sox batted ball so far (111.4), and it was against a 98mph heater

People have been pretty dismissive of Mead based on last year, but it does look to me like he made some kind of adjustment over the offseason. His EVs, barrel%, and pullair% are all way up in spring so far. Wonder if he was another participant in the Fuller bat speed program.

Big go ahead 3 run HR for Mead in WBC

More news on injury returns. Pereira will need to make an impression quick.

Good to hear Thorpe is back on the mound.

Gameday has them: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/chinese-taipei-vs-australia/2026/03/04/788120/live Mead's hit was 98.4mph

The first hit in the WBC belongs to White Sox legend Curtis Mead!

He just came off the bench...to play RF 👀 Another gaudy EV for him too:

Team Italy playing another exhibition, this time vs. LAA

Yeah, that's exactly why the article is silly. The premise was using a whopping two scoreless innings as evidence that the Sox would regret the loss of a guy who had been riding the waiver wire. Meanwhile the Sox have multiple lefties who have thrown a whole THREE scoreless innings! With multiple strikeouts/inning instead of Rolinson's 0! Like @WestEddy said, it's just filler content. If they kept Rolison over Eisert, you could write the same article and arguably have a better case (Eisert is slightly younger with an additional year, and has been better)

In the regular season they'll play their best guys in leverage instead of minor leaguers. Considering most teams are due for a random blowout or two by week 2 of ST, it actually feels weirdly positive that their losses are from prospects/NRIs coming a run short in late innings.

Antonacci came up with the bases loaded, no outs and got a job done with a sac fly. Italy up 9-4.

Antonacci subs in for Team Italy on defense bottom 7. He'll get an AB at least (currently due in the 9th). Italy up 5-4 over the Cubs.

A couple more OFs getting popped and maybe someone comes calling for Beni

Wicks gets a visit from the trainer and then leaves the game, apparently gesturing towards his hand. Maybe a blister? Velo was there, control wasn't.

Over at Sloan, a Kyle Teel homer to tie the game for Team Italy!

The analytics apparently are in support of the contact play, but I swear it leads to an out at the plate more often than not when I've seen it. Solid outing for Chris Murphy. 3IP scoreless, 1 hit/walk and 4Ks. Sitting 95-96 with the fastball.

Can't imagine how the Sox pen will survive without that "hidden gem" production!