The Case For Chase: Why White Sox Fans Should Pump The Brakes On Meidroth Hate

After a week filled with poor at-bats and runners stranded in scoring position, Chase Meidroth became the target for many frustrated Chicago White Sox fans.

But despite the recent struggles, the 24-year-old deserves far more patience given the spark he has provided atop Chicago’s lineup this season, especially when considering the state of the White Sox second base situation prior to his arrival.

The vitriol culminated on Wednesday in a key divisional matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. With the White Sox trailing by one in the 10th inning and the bases loaded, Meidroth had a chance to deliver. After working the count to 3-1, he offered at a borderline strike and rolled into a forceout, effectively killing the rally in a 4-3 loss.

But Meidroth answered the criticism in emphatic fashion, going 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored in a 22-1 drubbing of the Kansas City Royals. 

While Meidroth has admittedly struggled in run-producing situations — entering Friday’s matchup against the Royals, batting just .204 with runners in scoring position — his overall impact on the offense extends well beyond those moments. Despite his recent brutal 12-game stretch, Meidroth is still slashing .276/.340/.384 on the season with a team-high 81 hits. 

Meidroth has never been known for being a prolific run producer, and that’s not his role. His value comes as a catalyst at the top of the lineup. Despite a sub-par walk-rate, he has reached base at a .340 clip this season and has been particularly effective setting the tone, posting an .810 OPS when leading off an inning.

When Meidroth leads off a game, his production jumps to another level, with his OPS soaring to 1.160. That should come as no surprise to anyone who watched him launch a home run in the White Sox’s first at-bat of the season off Brewers ace Jacob Mizorowski on Opening Day.

Speaking of homers, Meidroth hasn’t just been consistently putting together hits—he’s also added a new layer of power to his game. After hitting just five home runs in 505 plate appearances last season, he already has six before the end of June.

While that added power has come at the expense of a higher strikeout rate, it hasn’t necessarily been because he is expanding his strike zone. Meidroth still has a low whiff rate and respectable chase rate, suggesting his approach remains disciplined. 

Before getting traded to the White Sox, Meidroth owned the lowest chase rate in Triple-A, while leading the International League in on-base percentage in just his second professional season. 

But his value extends well beyond the offensive numbers. Meidroth plays hard and has an excellent glove at second base. Rarely will you find a game where he finishes with a clean jersey. He brings a competitive edge and relentless energy every night. That kind of edge had been noticeably lacking on the South Side before the organization’s new wave of prospects arrived.

It’s one of the many reasons the Boston Red Sox were hesitant to part ways with him. Meidroth was reportedly the toughest player to get included in the trade package for Garrett Crochet, which is saying something considering the deal ultimately netted prospects like Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery.

Defensively, he ranks first among American League second basemen in putouts, third in double plays turned, and has three Outs Above Average at second base, placing him in the top third of all MLB defenders.

For a player still in the early stages of his big-league career, Meidroth has already shown exactly why the White Sox valued him so highly in the Crochet deal. As with any player, offensive inconsistencies will come and go.

But his ability to set the table at the top, play dependable defense, and bring a relentless edge should not go underappreciated. Even with a loaded farm system of infield prospects on the way, Meidroth already looks less like a short-term spark and more like a potential long-term fixture in Chicago’s infield.