Antonacci has had one hell of a rookie season. I think we all like the guy. At this point, Venable uses him most as a platoon bat. Will typically sits him or pinch hits him against righties.

His stats are pretty bad against righties. He's only got a .511 OPS against them. It makes sense when you look at the stats. But with Sam seemingly being an important piece for our team's future, should he get more opportunities against lefties so he can improve? I don't see how he can if he rarely gets opportunities.

Should he get more opportunities or keep him as a platoon bat?

No. Will gives him a break against lefty starters. He's usually in by the 6th inning. Then he faces all the lefties he wants when they're thrown against him. It's a non-issue.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by WestEddy

3 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

No. Will gives him a break against lefty starters. He's usually in by the 6th inning. Then he faces all the lefties he wants when they're thrown against him. It's a non-issue.

So you're good with him being a career platoon bat?

Just now, ron883 said:

So you're good with him being a career platoon bat?

No. But as they get closer to the post-season, he gets his chances against LH relievers. They can give him a good month of run next year and see what his stats look like.

Yeah. Just hit him like 8th or something. Or not at the expense of Acuna

1 hour ago, ron883 said:

Antonacci has had one hell of a rookie season. I think we all like the guy. At this point, Venable uses him most as a platoon bat. Will typically sits him or pinch hits him against righties.

His stats are pretty bad against righties. He's only got a .511 OPS against them. It makes sense when you look at the stats. But with Sam seemingly being an important piece for our team's future, should he get more opportunities against lefties so he can improve? I don't see how he can if he rarely gets opportunities.

Should he get more opportunities or keep him as a platoon bat?

Definitely yes. He is one of our best hitters, and you need to develop him as an everyday player.

I completely understand platoons. Especially when it’s like “this dude absolutely kills lefties and should be somewhere 1-5 against them.” Acuna? He hit 9th today.

I don’t think Antoncci’s future should be in LF so not a problem I’m really worried about. He should be the 2B next year…or is it crazy to think Sam could play CF?

Either way, the roster crunch is coming where there aren’t going to be 3 starting spots for Sam, Meidroth and Peters.

17 minutes ago, TheFutureIsNear said:

I don’t think Antoncci’s future should be in LF so not a problem I’m really worried about. He should be the 2B next year…or is it crazy to think Sam could play CF?

Either way, the roster crunch is coming where there aren’t going to be 3 starting spots for Sam, Meidroth and Peters.

Agreed, but the the crunch will be due to Roch and Bonemer, not Peters.

The Sox are limited besides Grichuk for a LF that hits LP. Grich usually DH's against LP. I wouldn't count Acuna jr as a LF that hits LP because of the sample size, plus he really is an emergency OF. I would keep running Sam out there and have Chase lead off.

If not next season then 2028, I don't know how the Sox keep Bonemer and Roch off the 26 man team. I would start Bonemer playing LF down in Birmingham. Roch most likely will be the SS.

1 hour ago, TheFutureIsNear said:

I don’t think Antoncci’s future should be in LF so not a problem I’m really worried about. He should be the 2B next year…or is it crazy to think Sam could play CF?

Either way, the roster crunch is coming where there aren’t going to be 3 starting spots for Sam, Meidroth and Peters.

What are you doing with Chase then? He's pretty awesome with the glove there.

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Agreed, but the the crunch will be due to Roch and Bonemer, not Peters.

For sure, just threw Peters in as a guy that is likely to get “crunched” off a starting spot because of the incoming talent…or at least that’s what we should be hoping. Great story and hope he proves me wrong, but probably more of a 4th OF’er long term on a team with championship aspirations

40 minutes ago, JoeCredeYes said:

What are you doing with Chase then? He's pretty awesome with the glove there.

Great question…I just think the reality is it’s probably going to come down to Sam or Chase at some point in the near future for an everyday spot. Unless Sam can play CF, that would solve a lot of problems but no idea how realistic that is.

Also not out of the realm of possibility Sam could just be a k*** Hernandez/Ben Zobrist type of super utility that gets 3/4 starts a week at different positions