A deeper, more balanced roster gives the Chicago White Sox nine legitimate threats in the batting order for the first time in years.
The biggest difference between the Chicago White Sox in 2025 and 2026 will be the depth on the big-league roster.
The White Sox had some exciting players break out last year. But early in the season — before many of those rookie standouts arrived — fans found themselves rolling their eyes at the daily lineup.
Let’s face it: the White Sox were giving regular at-bats to players who had no business being on a big-league roster.
That won’t be the case in 2026. Between young players with upside, established veterans, and a fun free-agent signing or two, the White Sox are going to have a lineup that feels rounded out and genuinely watchable.
No wasted at-bats. And intrigue from spots one through nine in the order.
So what might that group look like? It’s subject to change as more talent arrives throughout the season, but here’s my projection for how the Chicago White Sox could line up on Opening Day.
Projected White Sox 2026 Lineup
- Chase Meidroth, 2B
- Kyle Teel, C
- Miguel Vargas, 3B
- Colson Montgomery, SS
- Luis Robert Jr., CF
- Andrew Benintendi, LF
- Munetaka Murakami, 1B
- Edgar Quero, DH
- Brooks Baldwin, RF
I could have gone with Lenyn Sosa as the designated hitter here. But even in Sosa’s career year in 2025, when he led the White Sox with 22 home runs, his final OPS+ (101) was just seven points higher than Edgar Quero’s (94).
I think the White Sox are going to want Quero and Teel in the lineup together as much as possible in 2026.
Quero is only 22 years old, has plenty of time to develop, and has already shown an offensive profile the White Sox clearly value. He’s a switch hitter with a strong understanding of the strike zone. That patience makes him the polar opposite of Sosa, and I don’t think the White Sox will be as desperate for Sosa’s power with a full season of Colson Montgomery and the addition of Munetaka Murakami.
Speaking of Murakami, I decided to slide him down in the order rather than bat him in the heart of the lineup. That could make sense early in the season as he gets his feet wet in Major League Baseball.
Right field remains the biggest question mark. I went with Brooks Baldwin to start the year, but it’s far from settled. Do the White Sox view Baldwin as a full-time outfielder in 2026, or will they still want to use him as a versatile utility option?
I also wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Everson Pereira or Jarred Kelenic rounding out the lineup instead.
The closer we get to Opening Day, though, the less likely I think it is that the White Sox make another outfield addition.
For what it’s worth, this is a well-balanced lineup: three right-handed bats, four left-handed bats, and two switch hitters at the bottom of the order. There’s also plenty of speed throughout the lineup, which should help the White Sox be aggressive on the bases and apply pressure to opposing defenses.
It should be a young, fun team to watch.