Randal Grichuk leads Major League Baseball in pinch-hit home runs and has emerged as one of the White Sox's most valuable role players.
A good bench is the calling card of every good Major League Baseball team, especially those that may not be abundant with resources or established talent. For a team like the Chicago White Sox, winning close games and playing above expectations is often made possible by the contributions they get off the bench.
In 2026, the White Sox have one of the most productive benches in the sport. They also have the league leader in an important category.
With a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning on Monday night, White Sox outfielder Randal Grichuk now leads MLB with three pinch-hit home runs. He's been a true diamond-in-the-rough find for the White Sox.
Grichuk was batting just .194 in 16 games and 31 at-bats with the New York Yankees before being designated for assignment, electing free agency, and signing an MLB deal with the White Sox. Since joining Chicago on May 4, Grichuk has appeared in 34 games and is batting .293 with eight home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .991 OPS.
Grichuk has a 1.088 OPS against left-handed pitching this season. That's what the White Sox pay him to do. Bring a quality at-bat and some power off the bench, and get the job done against left-handers. He's doing both at an elite level this year.
According to Grichuk, the biggest difference between his time with the Yankees and his tenure with the White Sox has been the communication, which has allowed for better preparation. With New York, Grichuk never knew when or where he was playing, when he'd be in the lineup, when he'd be sitting, or when his number would be called for a pinch-hit appearance.
In Chicago, there is a clear plan in place, and the White Sox coaching staff does a good job of making sure Grichuk knows what's coming and how to prepare for the moment.
We can't pretend like the White Sox somehow discovered Randal Grichuk out of nowhere. His home run on Monday night was the 220th of his MLB career. He's an experienced player who has played a lot of good baseball over the last decade. As recently as 2024, Grichuk hit 12 home runs with an .876 OPS for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But the White Sox do deserve a lot of credit for identifying the ways in which Grichuk could help this club and then putting him in a position to succeed.
Should the White Sox go on to make the playoffs or even win the AL Central, Randal Grichuk will continue to be a huge part of what they do, and he'll be one of the most memorable players from this run. Because when you've got a guy like Grichuk who can come off the bench and change a game with one swing, you're never truly out of it. And close games feel that much more winnable.
