Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Antonacci batted .471 as a Heartland (Ill.) CC freshman before winning Division II JUCO Player of the Year honors in 2023, when he topped that level in hitting (.515), on-base percentage (.618), runs (105), hits (106), doubles (32) and RBIs (103) while leading the Hawks to a national title. His bat-to-ball skills and on-base ability translated to NCAA Division I this spring, when he hit .367 at Coastal Carolina and paced the Sun Belt Conference with a .523 on-base percentage. He's an overachiever who stands out more with his skills, instincts and energy than his tools.

One of the most disciplined hitters in the college ranks, Antonacci takes a lot of pitches, rarely strays out of the strike zone and makes repeated contact against all types of pitches versus both left-handers and right-handers. A lefty hitter, he uses the opposite field well and draws more than his share of walks. His offensive upside is limited by his well-below-average power, however, as he produces lackluster exit velocities and rarely turns on pitches or drives them in the air.

Though he has fringy speed, Antonacci is an aggressive baserunner who will steal when given the opportunity. A shortstop at Heartland, he moved to third base this spring and committed 15 errors in 57 games. He has average arm strength, is best suited for second base and should be capable of also handling the outfield corners in a utility role.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 35 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Antonacci helped Heartland (Ill.) win the Division II junior college title in 2023, earning National Player of the Year honors while pacing that level in hitting (.515), on-base percentage (.618), runs (105), hits (106), doubles (32) and RBIs (103). After he transferred to Coastal Carolina and batted .367 with a Sun Belt Conference-best .523 OBP in 2024, the White Sox made him a fifth-round pick. In his first full year as a pro, he earned All-Star accolades in the High-A South Atlantic League, won a championship in the Double-A Southern League, ranked fourth in the Minors in OBP (.429) and impressed scouts in the Arizona Fall League.

Antonacci's skills and constant energy are more impressive than his tools, but he understands his strengths and limitations and makes the most of his ability. He takes the most professional at-bats in Chicago's system, rarely chasing pitches or coming up empty when he turns his compact left-handed swing loose. He doesn't have much power, so he focuses on putting the ball in play to all fields and getting on base.

Though Antonacci possesses just fringy speed, he's an aggressive runner who will steal and take extra bases. Though he played shortstop at Heartland and third base at Coastal Carolina, he fits best at second base, where he has spent the majority of his pro career. His instincts enhance his decent range and average arm strength, but they're both stretched on the left side of the infield.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 35 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The Division II junior college player of the year in 2023, Antonacci topped that level in hitting (.515), on-base percentage (.618), runs (105), hits (106), doubles (32) and RBIs (103) while leading Heartland (Ill.) to the national title. His bat-to-ball skills and on-base ability continued to stand out after he transferred to Coastal Carolina last spring, as he hit .367 against NCAA Division I pitching and posted a Sun Belt Conference-best .523 on-base percentage. Known as an overachiever whose instincts and energy are more impressive than his tools, he has continued to live up to that reputation since the White Sox made him a fifth-round pick last July.

An extremely disciplined left-handed hitter, Antonacci takes a lot of pitches, rarely chases out of the strike zone and makes repeated contact to all fields. He may take the most competitive at-bats in the system and has a knack for putting the bat on the ball against quality pitching. He comes with very little power, however, producing lackluster exit velocities and rarely turning on balls or driving them in the air.

Despite fringy speed, Antonacci is an aggressive and instinctive baserunner who could steal 20 bases per season. A shortstop at Heartland and a third baseman at Coastal Carolina, he's best suited for second base. He has average arm strength and decent range, but the game speeds up on him on the left side of the infield.

Awards

AFL Rising Stars

Year	Team
2025

SAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2025

SOU Player of the Week

Week	Team
07/27/2025

CAR Player of the Week

Week	Team
09/08/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	02/05/2026	Italy activated SS Sam Antonacci.
	01/29/2026	SS Sam Antonacci roster status changed by Chicago White Sox.
	01/29/2026	Chicago White Sox invited non-roster SS Sam Antonacci to spring training.
	11/08/2025	American League Fall Stars activated IF Sam Antonacci.
	09/10/2025	IF Sam Antonacci assigned to Glendale Desert Dogs.
	07/18/2025	IF Sam Antonacci assigned to Birmingham Barons from Winston-Salem Dash.
	07/18/2025	Birmingham Barons activated IF Sam Antonacci.
	06/05/2025	Winston-Salem Dash activated IF Sam Antonacci from the 7-day injured list.
	05/31/2025	Winston-Salem Dash sent IF Sam Antonacci on a rehab assignment to ACL White Sox.
	05/14/2025	Winston-Salem Dash placed IF Sam Antonacci on the 7-day injured list.
	04/11/2025	Winston-Salem Dash activated IF Sam Antonacci.
	04/10/2025	IF Sam Antonacci roster status changed by Winston-Salem Dash.
	04/04/2025	IF Sam Antonacci assigned to Winston-Salem Dash from Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.
	03/05/2025	SS Sam Antonacci assigned to Chicago White Sox.
	08/08/2024	IF Sam Antonacci assigned to Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.
	07/23/2024	Chicago White Sox signed IF Sam Antonacci.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated SS Sam Antonacci.
	04/02/2024	SS Sam Antonacci assigned to Chatham Anglers.
	06/08/2023	SS Sam Antonacci assigned to College Workout.
	04/29/2022	SS Sam Antonacci assigned to West Virginia Black Bears.