Chase Meidroth getting hot at the plate while playing ‘a hell of a second base’ for the WooSox
This time last year, Red Sox infield prospect Chase Meidroth was tearing the cover off the ball for the Greenville Drive. The former fourth-round pick spent just a month and a half playing in High-A before he was promoted to the Portland Sea Dogs.
After playing in 111 games between the Drive and Sea Dogs, Meidroth finished last season hitting .271 with 108 hits, 19 doubles, one triple, nine homers, 57 RBIs, 80 walks, 13 stolen bases, and a .799 OPS.
Fast forward one calendar year, and Meidroth is now with Triple-A Worcester, and after a slow start with his offensively, the Calif. native is starting to heat up at the plate.
To open the year with the WooSox, through his first nine games, Meidroth went 3-for-25 (.120). Despite the lack of hits, he was getting on base, working eight walks during those games.
After almost a month with Worcester, Meidroth is settling in offensively. Since his slow start, over the last four games, he's gone 5-for-13 (.385) with one double, one homer, five RBI, and four walks.
“I think he’s been awesome,” said WooSox manager Chad Tracy. “What he has done very well all year is he knows the strike zone; he stays inside the strike zone, and when he’s right, he’ll stay inside the strike zone and put the barrel of the bat on the ball.”
Meidroth’s offensive approach is predicated on working deep into counts and challenging pitchers, forcing them to attack the zone. If the pitcher fails, he will barrel up the ball and poke it into play, or he’ll take a free pass and force a walk.
“What you’re seeing over the last... what started on Sunday in Syracuse, he had multiple good at-bats, lined a single to right, lined a single through the middle. Now a homer on Tuesday night, you’re seeing him come into what he is.”
As Meidroth settles into life with the WooSox, the organization is going to continue to develop his skills in the field and get him reps off second base and play shortstop and third base.
“He plays a hell of a second base. He’s moving around; he’s played third, and now we’re exposing him to shortstop. I think in the long haul, we’re going to see a guy who’s taking really quality at-bats.”
The exposure to all three infield positions has begun. Meidroth has played five games at second base, four at third base, and four at shortstop. He has fielded all three positions cleanly, playing error-free baseball.
Meidroth sound play defensively and his high offensive baseball IQ, he’ll continue to develop with Worcester by attacking Triple-A pitching, which will carve his path to Fenway Park.
“I’ve been impressed with his whole demeanor; he’s not scared of this level at all,” added Tracy.
