New to White Sox org, prospects Meidroth, Gonzalez set bar high for '25

December 18th, 2024
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      The White Sox introduced infielder and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez to the local media on Tuesday afternoon. The duo was part of the trade package Chicago acquired when it sent left-hander Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox last week.

      Meidroth, the 13th-best prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline, is coming off his best season in professional baseball, having posted a slash line of .293/.437/.400 for Triple-A Worcester. Meidroth credits his college coach from the University of San Diego, Bob Ungricht, for his success since leaving college.

      “It’s just leaning into my strengths,” Meidroth said. “I think I’ve always been a pretty decent bat-to-ball guy. I kind of figured out my whole approach when I got to college. [Ungricht’s] entire hitting philosophy, I really bought into it. I leaned on it the last three years of Minor League baseball. I’m really happy and really grateful for where he’s brought me in this game and led me to where I’m at.”

      As for Gonzalez, the 14th-best prospect in the White Sox system, he appeared in 24 games (19 starts), winning four games and posting a 4.73 ERA for Double-A Portland. Even more encouraging was his second half to remember: Gonzalez pitched to a 1.84 ERA and held opponents to a .149 batting average after the break.

      Gonzalez had a lot on his mind during the first half. When he walked a hitter, for example, he often worried about the runner stealing a base rather than concentrating on the next batter. He overcame that fear by the second half, and it helped that he started believing in himself.

      “I had a lot of stuff on my mind – I was thinking a lot,” Gonzalez said through interpreter Billy Russo. “Then I just cleared my mind, paid more attention to my bullpens, paid attention to details. That’s the reason I was able to get the results in the end. Not thinking too much. … I know I can trust myself, that I can pitch the way I always pitched just like I was as a kid. I realize once I do that, I tend to do a good job.”

      Meidroth is expected to be in big league camp starting in February and has a chance to make the White Sox Opening Day roster. He already has the bat-to-ball skills to face big league pitching.

      “I’m fired up,” Meidroth said. “It’s obviously what every player wants to hear. I’m not looking toward the regular season. I’ve got to get out to Spring Training first and take it day by day out in Arizona.”

      After enjoying a great season in ‘24, Meidroth is looking to improve in the batter’s box.

      “My goal this offseason is to get a lot stronger and more athletic,” Meidroth said. “Let that come not by forcing it but by putting in that time in the gym and to create that power moving forward.”

      Gonzalez also has goals in 2025, but the main ones are to command all of his pitches, throw strikes and pitch more innings. This past season, he walked 46 batters in 83 2/3 innings.

      “By improving, I’m going to be more effective,” Gonzalez said. “The other one is to try to strengthen my body. I want to be stronger. That way, I can be able to pitch more innings. I want to stay on the mound as long as possible.”

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      Bill Ladson has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2002. He covered the Nationals/Expos from 2002-2016.