‘Plunking king:’ White Sox’s Sam Antonacci taking beating at plate originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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After leading off Saturday’s game with a second-pitch home run of Detroit Tigers starter Troy Melton, Chicago White Sox Sam Antonacci stepped into the batter’s box in the third inning.
On the second pitch, a 91-mile cutter, Melton plunked the rookie.
A revenge pitch?
Not really. And despite Friday’s verbal sparring, highlighted by Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal engaging with the White Sox bench, the benches did not empty to challenge the act. Both teams understood.
That’s just Antonacci.
Competing in his 57th MLB game at Comerica Park on Saturday, the former 2024 fifth-round draft pick endured his 16th hit by pitch.
Here are the types of pitches Antonacci has been hit by:
- Sinker, six times
- Four-seam fastball, three
- Sweeper, three
- Cutter, 2
- Slider, 1
- Splitter, 1
White Sox rookie Sam Antonacci endures bruises for bases
Tigers broadcaster Jason Benetti had fun analyzing Antonacci’s brief career as a pitcher’s punching bag.
“Here’s a guy … he’s the plunking king,” Benetti said after he was hit near the right knee.
During one stretch this season, Antonacci was hit by a pitch during four consecutive games. On May 22, he was drilled twice in the same inning. Including his time as a minor leaguer, Antonacci has been hit by 98 professional pitches.
In 688 minor league plate appearances, he was struck by 42 pitches, including 35 times in 2025.
By getting hit 16 times before the All-Star break, Antonacci tied an MLB mark established by Victor Robles in 2019. The former Washington Nationals outfielder was hit a total of 25 times in 546 at-bats.
Hit by pitches 285 times, Craig Biggio remains the all-time leader.
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