Red Sox Prospect Chase Meidroth Blazes Through Double-A—Is Boston’s Next Infield Star Emerging?

White Sox Rookie Chase Meidroth Turns Heads With Viral “Stutter-Step” Stolen Base White Sox Rookie Pulls Off a Highlight for the Ages During Chicago’s recent series against the Giants, 23-year-old infielder Chase Meidroth executed one of the season’s most talked-about stolen bases. Instead of the trendy “swim move,” the rookie abruptly decelerated a stride short of second, slipped into a mini hop, and slid under the tag as the fielder over-committed—an improvisation MLB.com is already calling “one of the craftiest steals of the year.” The Play That Went Viral High-speed replays of the stutter-step maneuver rocketed across X, TikTok, and baseball subreddits within minutes, generating hundreds of thousands of views overnight. Analysts praised Meidroth’s spatial awareness, noting that the hesitation forced the shortstop to reach forward, leaving the back of the bag exposed. The clip has quickly become a teaching tool for base-running coaches around the league. Who Is Chase Meidroth? • Fourth-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2022, acquired by Chicago in the Garrett Crochet deadline deal last summer. • Born in Torrance, CA, and starred at the University of San Diego before turning pro. • Reached the majors after less than two full pro seasons thanks to an elite strike-zone judgment; his combined .446 on-base percentage across four minor-league stops in 2023 ranked fourth among all full-season hitters, matching Aaron Judge’s MLB walk total at the time. Immediate Impact in Chicago Since his May call-up, Meidroth has settled in as the Sox’ everyday second baseman, slashing .281/.388/.379 while providing rock-solid defense and above-average base-running. In Sunday’s 4-2 comeback win over Toronto he went 1-for-4, scored twice, and sparked a seventh-inning rally that delighted a fan base desperate for fresh energy. Why the Rookie Matters to the Rebuild Chicago’s front office has made plate discipline a pillar of its rebuild, and Meidroth’s career 16% walk rate fits that mandate. Manager Pedro Grifol has already given him leadoff reps, betting that his high OBP will lengthen the lineup and create more RBI chances for Luis Robert Jr. and Eloy Jiménez. Scouts also point to his plus arm and quick first step—traits that allow him to handle both middle-infield spots and give the roster additional flexibility. Beyond the Box Score • Savvy base running: His 92nd-percentile sprint speed pairs with advanced reads; he’s 7-for-7 on steal attempts in the majors. • Contact consistency: Meidroth’s 86% zone-contact rate would sit top-20 in MLB if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. • Fan favorite in the making: Autograph lines at Guaranteed Rate Field have grown visibly longer when he’s scheduled to start, according to local beat writers. What’s Next With the White Sox eyeing a wild-card push, Meidroth’s ability to set the table and create extra bases could be the difference in tight divisional matchups. If he continues to marry elite plate discipline with sneaky athleticism—now rebranded by fans as the “Meidroth Move”—Chicago may have unearthed the spark plug its offense has lacked since the departure of Tim Anderson. Keep an eye on the rookie’s stolen-base totals and positional flexibility as the season progresses; both could propel Chase Meidroth from viral sensation to legitimate Rookie of the Year contender by season’s end.