CHICAGO — At some point, this stops being coincidence and becomes a serious safety issue.
White Sox player Sam Antonacci has been hit by pitch 10 times in just 33 MLB games. Let me say that again: ten times in 33 games. And last night, he became the first player in White Sox history to be hit by two pitches in the same inning.
Folks, this isn't normal. This isn't bad luck. This is a player who's becoming a human target, and someone needs to figure out how to protect him before he gets seriously hurt.
Let's do the math: Antonacci is getting plunked once every 3.3 games. At that rate, he'd be hit by pitch nearly 50 times over a full 162-game season. That would shatter the all-time single-season record by a mile. And that's terrifying.
Is it his stance? Does he crowd the plate? Is he struggling to pick up breaking balls? Or are pitchers just viewing him as an easy target because he's a young player without a reputation?
Whatever the reason, this is unacceptable. Baseball is a dangerous game, and getting hit by a 95-mph fastball can cause serious injury. We've seen broken bones. We've seen concussions. We've seen career-altering injuries from HBP.
Antonacci made history last night by being hit twice in the same inning — but it's the kind of history nobody wants. The White Sox should be working with him to adjust his approach, adjust his stance, do something to reduce the frequency of these incidents.
Because here's the reality: if this continues, it's only a matter of time before he takes one in the wrong spot and ends up on the injured list. Or worse.
Young players are supposed to be developing their skills, building their confidence, finding their way in the big leagues. Sam Antonacci is instead spending his time dodging fastballs and getting bruised up every few games.
The White Sox need to protect this kid. Coaches need to study the film, figure out why he's such a magnet for errant pitches, and make adjustments. Because at the current rate, career is going to be defined not by his hitting ability, but by how many times he's been hit.
