Unexpected White Sox rookie emerging as legit award contender

Imagn Images

Unexpected White Sox rookie emerging as legit award contender

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Tyler Koerth | Last updated May 20, 2026 8:52 AM ET

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is off to a phenomenal start in the 2026 season, putting the 26-year-old firmly in the early American League Rookie of the Year conversation despite this being his first MLB campaign. His elite power alone, already highlighted by 17 home runs, makes him a legitimate contender, but his value goes beyond just slugging. Murakami is also reaching base at a strong clip and producing plenty of runs, giving the White Sox a middle-of-the-order bat that has quickly become one of the biggest surprises in the league this season.

That said, his teammate Sam Antonacci has also emerged as one of the league’s top rookies since making his MLB debut on April 15. As noted by Just Baseball, among first-year players during that span, Antonacci ranks second in batting average (.298), on-base percentage (.391), and wRC+ (134), while also placing inside the top five in several other offensive categories. To go along with that, he also has had a 13 game on-base streak.

Sam Antonacci’s ranks among rookies since he debuted on 4/15:

AVG: 2nd (.298)
Runs: T-5th (16)⁰SB: T-4th (3)
OBP: 2nd (.391)
OPS: 3rd (.816)
wRC+: 2nd (134)

Antonacci has made an immediate impact on an up-and-coming White Sox team pic.twitter.com/BFieqB3zvd

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 19, 2026

Right now, Antonacci’s performance should place him firmly in the discussion with some of the American Leagues best rookies.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci emerging as legit Rookie of the Year contender

May 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci (17) talks with first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) in the dugout after defeating the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Right now, Murakami and Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers appear to be the frontrunners for American League Rookie of the Year, while Parker Messick of the Cleveland Guardians has emerged as a strong contender on the pitching side. However, based on the way he has performed since arriving in the majors, Antonacci may not be far behind that group.

As things currently stand, Antonacci owns a higher OPS than McGonigle, while also leading that rookie group in both batting average and on-base percentage. Although McGonigle and Murakami may still have the edge nationally, Antonacci is quickly building a résumé that deserves to be taken just as seriously in the American League Rookie of the Year conversation.

While there is still a long way to go in the 2026 season, the White Sox suddenly find themselves with not just one, but two rookies making serious noise in the American League. If Antonacci continues producing at this level over a larger sample size, his name may become impossible to ignore in the Rookie of the Year race, giving Chicago yet another promising building block for the future.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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