I spent some time last week breaking down the potential 2027 Chicago White Sox roster by position group. But I didn't do a projected batting order. I'd like to do that now.
This is just a projection -- and even if Sox manager Will Venable puts together a lineup similar to my guess/prediction/preference here, it would obviously change if a hitter gets hot or if there are injuries. For example, I am putting Colson Montgomery at the bottom, but if he improves his average and cuts down on strikeouts, a guy with his potential home-run power could move to the middle of the lineup.
Any stats referenced come from MLB, ESPN, or Baseball Reference.
Here we go.
2027 Chicago White Sox Batting Order
1. Sam Antonacci, LF/DH
His ability to generate contact (and get hit by baseballs) makes him the perfect candidate for this spot. He's not the prototypical leadoff guy, but his on-base percentage was the best of last season's starters, and he was the one guy not striking out much during the ALDS. In fact, he struck out just twice in the ALDS -- a series in which the Sox set not one, but single-game strikeout records.
2. Chase Meidroth, 2B
Meidroth was all over the order in 2026, and he hit well in the postseason. He's a pretty good contact guy with a little bit of pop. While part of me could see him moving down if need be, I feel like the Sox lineup has a lot of potential if he's batting second. Imagine him moving Antonacci over or driving him in on a consistent basis.
3. Miguel Vargas, 3B
Vargas was the Sox's best position player all season, and he hits well enough -- and walks often enough -- to bat third. If the next guy in my preferred Sox lineup can mash consistently, and Vargas is walking often in front of him, and Meidroth and Antonacci are reaching base ahead of Vargas...well, that scenario would be awesome.
4. Munetaka Murakami, 1B
Murakami needs to cut down on strikeouts, and I still wonder if his first-half injury had lingering effects. He needs to adjust his approach to lay off high fastballs. The good news is, he takes his walks. Imagine an even more selective Murakami who stops missing in the zone so much -- and maybe learns to take fastballs the other way with two strikes. A power-hitting lefty who also walks and can scrape together a hit when the home-run pitch isn't there? That would make Murakami the threat he has the potential to be.
5. Open, DH
I am not sure who the DH is quite yet. The spot could go to lefty Andrew Benintendi, if he can hit consistently. It could also be used for a prospect like Caleb Bonemer, or left open for any position player who is hitting well and crowded out of a spot in the field, or just a guy who needs a day off.
For example, imagine putting Tristan Peters here if he's been starting in center but needs a day off his feet -- he can DH while Brenton Doyle plays center. The Sox could also give Antonacci days at DH, though in the leadoff spot.
Another option is re-signing lefty killer Randal Grichuk and placing him here against lefties. Maybe Benintendi DHs against righties and Grichuk against lefties?
The Sox could also bat whoever the backup catcher is, be it Joey Bart or Edgar Quero, here. Assuming either one of those players is hitting well enough.
Yet another possibility -- with Bonemer being a third baseman in addition to playing outfield, I could see a scenario where Bonemer arrives, plays third, and Vargas moves to first and Murakami to DH. Or Vargas moves to DH.
Finally, if 2026 number-one draft pick Roch Cholowsky makes the bigs, the shortstop could play in the field and Colson Montgomery moves to DH. Or Cholowsky DHs and Montgomery stays in the field.
That's a lot of words for an open position, but the Sox have a lot of flexibility here.
6. Tristan Peters, CF
I like Brenton Doyle, but while he showed flashes with the bat, I think Peters is the starting center fielder until further notice, and he has enough pop in his bat to hit sixth.
7. Kyle Teel, C
Teel is a tough one -- the lefty can bat second. But I think the seven spot suits him best, at least for now. He has a bit of pop, but he missed a lot of time with injury in 2026. Need to see him play -- and then, hit -- consistently, before I can move him up.
8. Braden Montgomery, RF
The switch-hitting Montgomery might someday be a start outfielder with power. Right now, though, he's raw. So until his hitting improves, he goes to the bottom of the lineup.
9. Colson Montgomery, SS
It's odd to bat a guy with over 30 homers ninth. But he also struck out a major-league strikeout record with 227. Worse, he looked lost at the plate at times. If he fixes his swing, he can bat somewhere between fifth and seventh and adjustments can be made. Until then, he's batting ninth if I am managing the Sox.
Bench
Benintendi, Luisangel Acuna, Doyle, Quero or Bart, Grichuk or free agent/prospect/trade acquisition. That's five players. Since MLB teams are allowed to carry up to 13 pitchers before late-season roster expansions (obviously, this could change with a new collective-bargaining agreement), I am assuming a pitching staff of 12 -- five starters and seven relievers.
With a 26-man roster, if the Sox carry the max of 13 pitchers, that leaves just four bench spots. Obviously that might be in flux -- perhaps the Sox carry only four starting pitchers. Or perhaps they have five but fluctuate the amount of relievers from six to eight.
Let's not overthink it, this is a projection, and while I am trying to make the roster add up to 26, there will be far more than 26 players used over the course of a season as guys move up and down and get designated for assignment and so on.
So, there you have it. One man's projected and preferred 2027 Chicago White Sox batting order.
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