Chicago White Sox: Nick Madrigal proves existence of miracles

Nick Madrigal will never be confused for a power hitter. He had a grand total of eight homers during his three seasons at Oregon State, a number that may have been inflated with aluminum bats. The Chicago White Sox second baseman followed that up with four homers in his minor league career, all of which came during an outburst in 2019. He had yet to homer in the majors, and given his general lack of pop, one had to wonder if it would ever happen.

But miracles do happen. That was the case for Madrigal on Monday, as he lined a J.A. Happ fastball to left center for his first major league homer.

Chicago White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal hits first major league homer

Madrigal clearly did not think that ball had cleared the fence. He sprinted around first, holding up as he headed to second, expecting a stand-up double. It was only as he touched second that he realized what had happened and that he had hit his first major league homer.

This blast is not going to suddenly turn Madrigal into a power hitter. He had all of ten extra base hits – eight doubles and two triples – in his 243 plate appearances entering Monday. If he is to get more extra base hits, those will likely come due to his speed as opposed to muscling up and sending a ball over the fence.

His profile is not going to change much. Madrigal is still going to make consistent contact without striking out much, putting the ball into play by spraying line drives to all fields. His speed will make more of an impact than his bat, and his power will remain minimal at best.

But there is plenty of room for a player such as this in the majors. His incredible bat control and ability to make contact make him the perfect hitter in the second spot of the lineup. That speed also pays off with the White Sox potent lineup behind him. Just don’t expect too many more homers.

Nick Madrigal has hit his first major league homer. It may take a while before the Chicago White Sox second baseman ends up putting a second ball in the stands.