Chase Meidroth delivers a historic moment, leading off the 2026 season with a home run for the Chicago White Sox.
There’s a buzz that’s always in the air on MLB Opening Day. Every team is 0-0, and every fanbase has high hopes for what’s possible in the upcoming season.
And while the Chicago White Sox have not had much luck getting off to a hot start in recent years, there seems to be a different feel to the 2026 team. This is a young group of players that legitimately believe they can make some noise in the AL Central, despite being counted out nationally.
They’re ready to hit the ground running. And they did just that in Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon.
The highly anticipated 2026 season started with something that had never happened before in the 125-year history of the White Sox: the first batter of the season hit a home run.
Second baseman Chase Meidroth led off the game and worked Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski into a full count.
He got a 99.5 mph fastball on the inner half of the plate from the 23-year-old right-hander, and Meidroth deposited it deep into the seats for a home run. The ball was hit 107.7 mph off the bat and traveled 417 feet. Meidroth knew it right away.
It wasn’t the most likely source for an early power surge. Meidroth had just five home runs last season in 450 at-bats as a rookie. But he did show a polished approach at the plate in 2025, and he should only continue to improve as he matures and develops his game.
It’s a big year for Meidroth as the White Sox look to sort out a crowded infield mix moving forward. He’ll need to prove he belongs as an everyday starter for an ascending team that will be looking to contend before long.
And being a spark plug at the top of the lineup like he was on Thursday is a great way to do that.
More than anything, it sets a tone. For a team trying to establish a new identity, moments like that matter. It’s not just about one swing or one game — it’s about showing up ready, setting the energy early, and putting pressure on the opposition from the very first pitch of the season.
If this White Sox team is going to outperform expectations in 2026, it’s going to come from contributions up and down the roster. And if Meidroth can consistently provide that kind of presence at the top of the lineup, it gives this group a foundation to build on every single night.