White Sox' catching corps off to strong start in camp

MESA, Ariz. — The White Sox’ young catching tandem has done nothing in spring training to lower expectations for them heading into their second seasons.

Kyle Teel has impressed veteran pitchers with take-charge moxie behind the plate. And while he had just one hit in 13 at-bats before leaving the team for Team Italy Saturday, the left-handed hitter is controlling the strike zone, manager Will Venable said.

Results don’t matter all that much right now, because Teel showed he can hit last season.

“We think he’s going to be an elite offensive catcher in this league,” Venable said Sunday. “We saw that last year [when he hit .273/.375/.411 with eight homers in 79 games]. Looking forward to what the next version of that looks like.”

The switch-hitting Edgar Quero, who hit .268/.333/.356 with five homers in 111 games, homered against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga Sunday. He’s 9-for-17 (.526) with two doubles and a homer this spring and leading the Cactus League with nine RBI.

Venable would prefer having his players stick around in camp but he’s not stressing much about losing Teel and versatile infielder Sam Antonacci to Team Italy, even though catchers’ work with pitchers is important here.

“He’s put in a ton of work, last year and the front side of camp here,” Venable said of Teel. “We’re missing out on some reps and that’s a real thing but he’ll jump right back in. He’s done such a good job with that kind of stuff that we’ll catch up on him.”

The Big A

The left-handed hitting Antonacci heads to the WBC having reached safely in six straight games with two homers, seven runs scored, three walks and three stolen bases. He hasn’t struck out in 18 plate appearances.

“He’s locked in and he has one speed, and that’s all the way,” Venable said. “It’s great to see, it really sets an example for our guys and what it’s supposed to look like.”

No auditions necessary

Joining the Team Italy players in the WBC are corner infielders Munetaka Murakami (Japan) and Curtis Mead (Australia) and closer Seranthony Dominguez (Dominican Republic).

Besides rooting for them to do well, Venable said the staff will be more locked in on Sox campers in the house.

And how Antonacci plays in the tournament won’t win or lose him a job with the Sox.

“That performance is really separate and really he doesn’t have to do anything here,” Venable said. “We have an understanding of where he’s at.

“We like Sam, he’s in a good spot. Whatever that means for him, joining us whether it’s Opening Day or later in the year, he’s going to be someone who contributes regardless of how he plays with Team Italy or the rest of camp.”

Notes

Left fielder Andrew Benintendi (tightness in right side) won’t play until after the Sox’ off day Wednesday, Venable said.

There’s a good chance center fielder and infielder Luisangel Acuna (cut on forehead) will play Monday for the first time since Wednesday.

*The Sox lead all of baseball in hits (107) and doubles (29) this spring.

Sox 5, Cubs 1

The Sox (7-4) hit four solo homers, three against Shota Imanaga, and lefty Anthony Kay allowed one run over 2 ⅔ innings against the Cubs’ top lineup.

Edgar Quero, Braden Montgomery and Austin Hays hit solo shots against Imanaga and Lenyn Sosa also went deep. Hays, who owns an .819 OPS against lefties, homered for the second time against the Cubs. Montgomery, the Sox’ top outfield prospect who was acquired from Boston in the Garrett Crochet trade, also tripled.

• Kay, who made 13 relief appearances for the Cubs in 2023 before pitching successfully as a starter the last two seasons in Japan, laughed when asked if the Cactus League game had a “rivalry” feel before a full house at Sloan Park. The Sox beat the Cubs 8-1 in the spring opener at Sloan.

“Not really,” Kay said. “A little different for me since I was there. Kind of want to get a little bit of revenge but it’s spring training so it doesn’t really matter just yet.”

The teams play for real May 15-17 at Rate Field and Aug. 17-19 at Wrigley Field.

• Infielder Tanner Murray made the defensive play in an error-free game for the Sox, diving behind third base to take extra bases from Nico Hoerner.

• On deck: Giants at Sox, 2:05 p.m. Monday, Glendale, 1000-AM, Landen Roupp vs. Davis Martin.