Second baseman Chase Meidroth’s hitting and on-base streaks ended when the White Sox mustered only one hit Saturday against the Dodgers. He started another one of each Sunday, first by getting hit by a pitch, then by hitting an opposite-field home run.
The blast was an indication of the big step Meidroth has taken this season, hitting coach Derek Shomon said.
‘‘He’s opened up a little bit more slug this year,’’ Shomon said. ‘‘A lot of the conversations revolve around approach and plan. He’s just becoming a more mature hitter at the major-league level.’’
After slugging .320 last season, Meidroth is up to .402, and his six homers already are more than the five he hit last season. But he’s still hitting for contact and getting on base, as evidenced by his just-ended 12-game hitting streak and 22-game on-base streak.
Shomon has been telling hitters to jump on pitches they think they can drive. If that leads to some whiffs, so be it. Meidroth has bought in.
‘‘It’s just knowing when to take your shots,’’ Shomon said. ‘‘Understanding what they’re trying to do to you just to give you a little bit more of an educated guess on when you should take that shot. He’s been great.’’
That has helped make Meidroth a smarter hitter.
‘‘The more you have a level of awareness that you understand what’s going on, you start asking better questions and you start preparing better,’’ Shomon said. ‘‘And I think a lot of that, outside of the physical stuff, outside of the swing, that’s been a big part for him.’’
‘‘He’s the best,’’ Meidroth said of Shomon. ‘‘What he brings for our offense every day, it’s second to none. He understands how hard this game is. The confidence he instills in us every day is awesome. He lets us be free and be ourselves every day.’’
Before the last game of the day Sunday, Meidroth ranked third among qualified American League second basemen in homers, slugging percentage and OPS (.753).
Quero’s silver linings
Edgar Quero began the season as the Sox’ regular catcher, but a slow start put him in a timeshare when the team called up Drew Romo on April 25. His memorable game against the Cubs aside (3-for-5, walk-off two-run homer), Quero’s slow start has reached midseason, and he’s at risk of losing his spot to Kyle Teel, who’s nearing a rehab assignment after recovering from a knee injury.
But Shomon maintains Quero, who’s batting .180, is in a good spot mentally.
‘‘He’s had good at-bats,’’ Shomon said. ‘‘He’s been on the barrel several times, maybe with nothing to show for it. On our end, it’s just, ‘Stay in it. It sucks right now, but stay in the fight. The work’s been good. And you’re certainly in a better spot than you were earlier in the year.’ ’’
Romo has slowed since his fast start — he’s hitting .157 — and is equally at risk.
Notes
The crowd of 38,547 at Rate Field was the Sox’ sixth sellout of the season and their highest attendance in a game not involving the Cubs.
• Teel and left-hander Noah Schultz, both of whom are out with knee injuries, are leaving Monday to begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Charlotte.
• The Sox promoted infielder Caleb Bonemer, their No. 1-ranked prospect by MLB.com, to Double-A Birmingham.