
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Sam Antonacci, a Sacred Heart-Griffin graduate, made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 15, hitting a single in his first at-bat against the Tampa Bay Rays. He also scored a run after drawing a walk in the ninth inning.
Mentioned in this story
Sacred Heart-Griffin graduate Sam Antonacci hit a single in his first MLB at-bat with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, April 15.
He lofted a 0-1 count to right field in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. He also scored his first run in the ninth after drawing a walk.
The 23-year-old left-handed hitter joins several other Springfield area products in the MLB ranks. Here’s what to know.
Antonacci is largely expected to man left field for the White Sox.
Antonacci, rated among the top 10 prospects within the White Sox organization, has built up a sterling résumé ever since he graduated as The State Journal-Register's Large School Player of the Year in 2021.
The former Heartland Community College shortstop was named the NJCAA Division II national player of the year following a blistering run to the 2023 national title.
He was eventually selected by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 2024 draft after a season at Coastal Carolina University with a .367 batting average and six home runs.
He was promoted from the High-A affiliate Winston-Salem Dash (where 2020 Chatham Glenwood graduate Jake Curtis currently resides as a reliever) to the Double-A Birmingham Barons in 2025, the latter of which he summoned a .292 average with eight doubles, two triples, and a homer in 49 games.
Antonacci generated considerably more buzz on Italy’s roster in the World Baseball Classic this past March, where he helped stun Team USA with a two-run homer in an 8-6 win in pool play. He ultimately staged two hits and three RBIs as a shortstop in the WBC six-game stretch.
He soared further with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where he reportedly transitioned to left field to accommodate the White Sox’s lack of depth in the outfield.
He orchestrated a flourishing .313 average with 15 hits, two home runs and seven RBIs over 14 games with the Knights. He also had 15 walks — compared to eight strikeouts — and five stolen bases.
“He’s made a tremendous impression. Not surprised,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz told MLB.com in March. “From the beginning, when we signed him, the feedback we were getting from our player development crew, his stops at different affiliates last year, this is a kid that can do a lot of different things to help a baseball team win.
Sam Antonacci debuted with the Chicago White Sox.
Sam Antonacci made his MLB debut on April 15.
Sam Antonacci is largely expected to play left field for the White Sox.
In his first MLB game, Sam Antonacci hit a single and scored a run after drawing a walk.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Subaru vs Hyundai: A New Rivalry at the 2026 Nürburgring 24h
Pirates catcher Joey Bart surprises Braxton Ashcraft with an on-field gender reveal before his start!
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies at 48 after being hit by a train in Salzburg.
Mike Trout becomes the first visiting player to homer in three straight games at Yankee Stadium since 2013.
NHL Playoffs 2026 begin April 18; key standings and tiebreakers explained.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
“What he’s about, what he brings on a daily basis, it’s a winning style of baseball that’s going to fit in very well here. I’m very confident that the South Side is going to enjoy watching Sam Antonacci when the time comes.”
Sam Antonacci celebrates scoring a run for Italy against Puerto Rico in the first inning at Daikin Park.
The 2011 Chatham Glenwood graduate was placed on the 15-day injured list beginning April 8 with right knee tendinitis.
The 33-year-old reliever has appeared in five games with the Cubs, who signed him in November to a two-year deal worth $14.5 million. The St. Louis Cardinals traded Maton to the Texas Rangers last season before going to free agency.
The righty sizzled over the 2025 season with a 2.79 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 61 1/3 innings. He has a 4.06 ERA over his 11-year MLB career.
Former Texas Ranges relief pitcher Phil Maton (88) throws during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 26, 2025.
The Nokomis native and 2017 Chatham Glenwood graduate has hopped back into the starting rotation.
The 26-year-old lefty wields a 3.57 ERA with 26 strikeouts in four starts. Detmers (1-1) made his 2026 debut against the Houston Astros, where he struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings.
He collected his first win against the New York Yankees just recently on Tuesday, April 14, where he again fanned nine and gave up just one run on four hits and no walks over seven innings. It was his longest MLB outing since April 22, 2024. He was demoted to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees less than two months later.
The 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft regained his footing last season as a reliever with a 3.96 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 63 2/3 innings.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers (48) pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 14, 2026.
The 2016 Rochester graduate was acquired by the Blue Jays on April 4 and was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 14.
The 28-year-old infielder had a simmering 2024 season with a .280 batting average and 15 home runs for the San Francisco Giants, but tumbled after a left rib fracture last May.
He has not appeared in any MLB games this season.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield area MLB players at the start of 2026 season