2/23/2026 - Sox @ Rockies - 2:10; Smith v. Lorenzen

[WestEddy]

Today's lineup pic.twitter.com/4chCPxrl7R

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 23, 2026

Edited 15 hours ago by WestEddy

[WestEddy]

SoxMachine talks about the first weekend and parses the hype on Antonacci and McDougal. 

Podcast: White Sox Impressive Start to Spring Training - Sox Machine

 

[WestEddy]

Merk's Sunday Night report

White Sox have blueprint, winning vibes for rapid turnaround

- Best start since 2004
- Royals turned it around w/pitching
- Marlins w/swing decisions - Shoman
- guys believe they can win

Leigh Allen points out, over on SouthSideSox, that the fireworks were really Sox studs beating up on Brewer A-ballers:

White Sox debubble the Brewers, 5-2 | South Side Sox

LaMond Pope summarizes some quotes from Murakami, Antonacci and Chris Murphy at the Trib. It's a mixed Sox/Cubs report w/some Mo Ballesteros updates. 

Cactus League report: White Sox's Sam Antonacci makes impression

[fathom]

Basically the opening day lineup today, just sub in Hays for Wade and adjust some positions 

[DoUEvenShift]

No broadcast on either side. Guess i'll suck it up and be productive at work today.

Edited 14 hours ago by DoUEvenShift

[WestEddy]

1 hour ago, WestEddy said:

If you're reading down to see who is pitching today for the Sox, Jacob Heatherly and Rylan Kaufman are two free agent LHPs signed in January. 

Heatherly is a Reds' product who looks to be returning from injury. Kaufman is from the Royals' organization, and I surmise the same. 

[WestEddy]

7 minutes ago, fathom said:

Basically the opening day lineup today, just sub in Hays for Wade and adjust some positions 

Yeah, Baldwin and Hays for Wade and Kelenic. The Brewers look like their top 5 starters are all RHPs. Lefty loosie lineup. 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

27 minutes ago, DoUEvenShift said:

No broadcast on either side. Guess i'll suck it up and be productive at work today.

Aww shucks I was getting used to watching victories.😭

[Autumn Dreamin]

Colson scratched,  he's sick

Bergolla steps in at short

[WestEddy]

Updated Lineup:
2B Chase Meidroth
C Kyle Teel
DH Munetaka Murakami
3B Miguel Vargas
LF Andrew Benintendi
1B LaMonte Wade Jr.
CF Luisangel Acuña
RF Jarred Kelenic
SS William Bergolla Jr.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) February 23, 2026

[WestEddy]

Fegan's sox notes:

White Sox notes: Chase Meidroth wants to stay grounded, but not his contact - Sox Machine

- Meidroth working on leg kick
- Lenyn wants to be more aggressive earlier
- Burke happy with slider
- Mune speed-learning 1B
- Bergolla respects dad's game, but wants more "pop"

[Bob Sacamano]

1 hour ago, fathom said:

Basically the opening day lineup today, just sub in Hays for Wade and adjust some positions 

Kelenic?

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Okamoto just hit a 431ft bomb to CF for the Blue Jays vs the Mets.

No Robert Jr. in the starting lineup for the Mets.

[caulfield12]

21 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Okamoto just hit a 431ft bomb to CF for the Blue Jays vs the Mets.

No Robert Jr. in the starting lineup for the Mets.

Everyone was underselling his power...but that's only in comparison to Mune.

20-25 homers always felt a bit low.

Thirty wouldn't be a surprise...not a huge amount of pressure in that lineup to produce like more than a complementary player.

A ton of expectations for Cease/Ponce (lesser extent obviously).

[Chicago White Sox]

2 hours ago, fathom said:

Basically the opening day lineup today, just sub in Hays for Wade and adjust some positions 

I still don’t buy Kelenic being in our starting nine 9 come OD and not yet convinced he will even make the major league roster coming out of camp.  Definitely possible on the latter, but it’s going to be an uphill battle to steal significant playing time from Quero & Baldwin.

[caulfield12]

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I still don’t buy Kelenic being in our starting nine 9 come OD and not yet convinced he will even make the major league roster coming out of camp.  Definitely possible on the latter, but it’s going to be an uphill battle to steal significant playing time from Quero & Baldwin.

SoxTalk seems to believe in Baldwin a lot more than 35th and Shields.

(At least until proven otherwise.)

Can probably say the same about Mead, except in the opposite direction.

 

With Kelenic, just can't let go of that 2018-19 prospect pedigree, Top Ten ranking.

See Moncada, Yoan.

Edited 12 hours ago by caulfield12

[fathom]

13 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I still don’t buy Kelenic being in our starting nine 9 come OD and not yet convinced he will even make the major league roster coming out of camp.  Definitely possible on the latter, but it’s going to be an uphill battle to steal significant playing time from Quero & Baldwin.

I don’t think they have much of a desire at all to DH Quero

[Squirmin' for Yermin]

3 minutes ago, fathom said:

I don’t think they have much of a desire at all to DH Quero

and really shouldn't.

[fathom]

2 minutes ago, Squirmin' for Yermin said:

and really shouldn't.

He’s going to have to prove he’s not a platoon bat in the starts he gets against RHP.

[Chicago White Sox]

12 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

SoxTalk seems to believe in Baldwin a lot more than 35th and Shields.

(At least until proven otherwise.).

Based on what?  What have the Sox said or signaled that suggests a lack of faith in Baldwin?  I keep hearing this narrative and have yet to find anything substantial backing it.

[Chicago White Sox]

5 minutes ago, fathom said:

I don’t think they have much of a desire at all to DH Quero

Then he should be traded.  Thinking him being used as a backup catcher for a season will somehow increase his value is crazy.  If Quero doesn’t get 400+ PA’s somewhere then I’ll be pushing for Getz to lose his job.

[caulfield12]

3 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Based on what?  What have the Sox said or signaled that suggests a lack of faith in Baldwin?  I keep hearing this narrative and have yet to find anything substantial backing it.

Never giving him an extended run at one spot against both rh and lh starting pitching.

[Chicago White Sox]

6 minutes ago, Squirmin' for Yermin said:

and really shouldn't.

Then what is his purpose on this roster?  And who makes more sense DHing over him?

[fathom]

4 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Then he should be traded.  Thinking him being used as a backup catcher for a season will somehow increase his value is crazy.  If Quero doesn’t get 400+ PA’s somewhere then I’ll be pushing for Getz to lose his job.

Next offseason I think he’s traded

[fathom]

6 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Based on what?  What have the Sox said or signaled that suggests a lack of faith in Baldwin?  I keep hearing this narrative and have yet to find anything substantial backing it.

The Sox would love for Kelenic to win the starting spot and let Baldwin be a utility guy