“Squabble Up” by rapper Kendrick Lamar was blaring on speakers throughout Rate Field before the White Sox’ first at-bat, and that could mean only one thing: Chase Meidroth was back.
The rookie infielder returned to the lineup for Thursday’s 8-0 win over the Brewers after a stint on the 10-day injured list with right thumb inflammation.
He worked a 3-0 count in the first inning before holding back on a fastball in the heart of the zone, making the count 3-1. On the next pitch by Chad Patrick, Meidroth pounced on a sinker in the heart of the zone for a sharp line-drive double to left field. He later scored on a Luis Robert Jr. RBI single to make it 1-0.
In the seventh, Meidroth made an impressive stop and throw to help the Sox turn an inning-ending double play. He finished 1-4 with a walk.
“That’s what we expect out of Chase,” manager Will Venable said. “He’s dynamic on both sides of the ball.”
For the White Sox’ prized rookie, Meidroth used his stint on the 10-day IL to “watch the game the right way.”
“Just certain plays you kind of watch and it helps you for the next time,” Meidroth said. “It’s almost like if you watch it the right way, it’s almost like you’re playing.”
Meidroth was originally anticipated to return this weekend, but he said he felt good swinging on Wednesday. With a successful day hitting, he was ready to go. Meidroth has been able to field and participate in most physical activity while injured, but he struggled to grip a bat.
Meidroth said he’ll wear a thumb guard for the rest of the season, but it looks like the thumb wasn’t bothering him much Thursday.
“Nice to have Chase and set the tone for us today,” Venable said. “And really quality at-bats throughout the lineup and we were to push them across today.”
Meidroth said he was able to learn not only from his coaches and teammates but also from other teams. He mentioned A’s slugger Brent Rooker and Brewers superstar Christian Yelich as players he observed, noting their approaches as something he studied.
“You watch them and how they go about their business and how they take their at-bats and how they play the game and how they get down the line,” Meidroth said. “You can learn a lot as a young guy from doing that.”
Venable said he wants Meidroth to “continue doing what he’s been doing.” He’s lauded Meidroth for his instant-impact offense. But he also offered up some advice for the youngster: Be more aggressive. After Thursday’s game, Meidroth is batting .269/.389/.300 with a .689 OPS.
“If there’s one thing that I’ve been on him about is just letting it loose in the heart of the plate more and being more aggressive at times,” Venable said. “At the same time, that’s just in his DNA to be a selective hitter. I don’t want to change who he is, but I think in time, he’ll learn that he needs to be aggressive and get some good swings off early in the count on pitches over the heart.”
Entering Thursday’s play, Meidroth had a 16.1% walk rate and a 12.9% strikeout rate. Although Meidroth might not profile as a power bat, Venable believes that there’s more pop in his bat and now that he’s fully healed, extra-base hits could come more regularly for Meidroth.
“We saw it in camp,” Venable said. “We’ve seen it in the past in the minor leagues with him. It’s in there.”