When it became clear that teams like the Cubs and Phillies had put in enticing bids for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet, Boston sprung into action, dealing a package headline by top prospect Kyle Teel to secure the southpaw flamethrower.
The acquisition of Teel will prove to be a boon for the White Sox in due time, as he looks like the real deal as the team's catcher of the future. For now, though, the South Siders are calling up someone else to help stabilize the 2025 edition of the big league squad.
Chase Meidroth promoted, marking first Crochet trade prospect in MLB
While Teel (and Braden Montgomery and Winkleman Gonzales) continues to develop in the minor leagues, Chase Meidroth is going to make his MLB debut on April 11. It just so happens the White Sox are hosting their red counterparts for a three-game series over the weekend.
BREAKING: Chicago White Sox are calling up Chase Meidroth, sources tell TJStats
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) April 10, 2025
Meidroth (INF) is a extremely patient contact hitter that has flown through the minors with exceptional production. He was acquired by the White Sox in the offseason as part of the Crochet deal pic.twitter.com/Gsy3akZaPZ
At the time of his promotion, the White Sox have a full 40-man roster, so they will have to DFA someone or place them on the 60-day IL in order to make room for Meidroth.
Though arguably the least exciting prospect the White Sox got in return for their ace, Meidroth is a versatile infielder who can play every position on dirt, though he makes his money as a middle-infielder. It isn't hard to imagine him usurping shortstop Jacob Amaya or second baseman Lenyn Sosa in the starting lineup, as both rookies are struggling thus far in 2025. Amaya, in particular, has been an abject disaster, posting an OPS of .258 (-39 wRC+) in his first 31 plate appearances.
Meidroth isn't the all-around talent Teel or Montgomery are, but he is really, really good at one thing: getting on base. If this were the early 2000s, he would be Billy Beane's favorite player in the league.
In 1,187 minor league plate appearances in his career up to this point, he's slashing .285/.425/.414 batting line and 136 wRC+. Yes, his OBP is higher than his slugging percentage. In fact, his walk rate (17.4%) is higher than his strikeout rate (15.6%) in the minor leagues.
He did struggle in spring training to the tune of a .146/.300/.171 batting line, but he's up to 1.050 OPS in Triple-A action this year. He's ready for the big leagues.
He isn't a huge power or speed threat, though it isn't impossible to imagine him reaching ten home runs and 20 steals on an annual basis. Instead, he's in Chicago because he knows how to wear pitchers down and set up the next guy in the lineup.
This is just the first component of the Crochet return, but Meidroth has a good chance at sticking in the big leagues thanks to his high floor. If he can give the White Sox a surefire infielder, the odds of them ultimately winning the trade go up significantly.