GLENDALE, Ariz. — Sam Antonacci experienced a wave of emotions playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
“It’s crazy how devastating and sad you feel (following an elimination loss) after playing for a team for two weeks and not knowing anyone before you showed up,” the Chicago White Sox infielder said Thursday at Camelback Ranch. “That just shows the love and grit we had towards each other and the respect we had towards each other as a team.
“That’s family for life.”
Photos: Chicago White Sox on photo day at spring training
Antonacci was back in Sox camp Thursday and in the lineup for a split-squad game against the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz., going 1-for-3 with one RBI. The Springfield native returned after being one of the sparkplugs for an Italy team that reached the semifinals.
“Definitely worth it,” Antonacci said of participating in the WBC. “I think that’s the biggest thing I’ll (take) away from it. Just playing the game that I love, and I think it opened a lot of people’s eyes, especially in Italy.”
Antonacci went 2-for-19 in six games, hitting a triple and a home run. The home run came in a win against the United States. He had three RBIs and scored five runs. Defensively, Antonacci had high-caliber dekes like the one he pulled off against Mexico — diving at shortstop to pretend a ball was near when it was really being tracked down for an easy fly ball — which resulted in a double play.
“Obviously, not having a (major-league) debut yet or not even making it to Triple A yet, it was a tough decision in the offseason to make (to participate) because you want to be here the whole time for spring training, you’re fighting for a spot and someone who hasn’t played Triple A yet, it’s probably not the best decision to go out there,” Antonacci said. “But I made it for moments like that and playing in crowds like that to have experience for if I ever were to get called up I know what it takes and I know what to expect. Definitely learning that or understanding that, I made the right choice and I’m happy about it.”
Antonacci, 23, created lasting bonds.
“Every time I see them now, I’m not one for interacting with the other team while I’m playing even if I know them, but it’s going to be pretty darn hard if I see some of those guys,” he said. “I’m going to have to say ‘hi’ because that’s just how much they mean to me, and the brotherhood we created just in that little time says a lot. The leadership we had in that clubhouse helped create that brotherhood. It was truly awesome.”
Antonacci was 4-for-13 with two home runs and four RBIs in six Cactus League games with the Sox before joining Italy on Feb. 28.
Italy’s Sam Antonacci celebrates while scoring a run against Puerto Rico in the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026, in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty)
“He had a great WBC,” Sox manager Will Venable said Tuesday. “Had a great camp before he left. He really looked like the same player we saw in the WBC, where he’s flying all over the field defensively, his baserunning, taking quality (at-bats) and hitting the ball hard.”
The Sox plan to have Antonacci begin the season in the minor leagues. His goals for the remainder of spring training are “just to stay healthy and play the game the right way.”
“Stay hydrated, stay in the weight room, stay on top of the little things that may get repetitive, especially in spring training towards the end, you’re just looking to break wherever you go,” he said. “Sometimes you can go, ‘I don’t really need that, we’re leaving soon.’ But just continue to act like it’s the first day of spring training every day.”
Spring breakout game set for Saturday
Antonacci is listed on the Sox roster for Saturday’s spring breakout game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch (8:05 p.m. CT). The event matches prospects in games throughout baseball.
The Sox roster also includes shortstop Billy Carlson, the team’s first-round pick in 2025.
“It’s pretty cool,” Carlson said last week. “I followed it a little bit last year because I have some buddies in the ’24 class, they did pretty well so it’s pretty cool to see them perform on that stage.”
Carlson, 19, said his spring has “been good” and he’s enjoying catching up with players throughout the organization. He made a late appearance in a Cactus League game on March 6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.
“Super cool,” Carlson said of the opportunity. “I think I’ve never played in front of that many fans before. Just getting that exposure and feeling that adrenaline was pretty cool. The guys were awesome, the big-leaguers did a good of helping us through it.”
Carlson is “super excited” for the upcoming minor-league season.
“All the guys have been talking super highly of (Class A) Kannapolis,” Carlson said. “So I’m super excited to get over to that town and help that team win.”
Roster moves
The Sox on Friday released pitchers Lucas Sims, Austin Voth and Ryan Borucki and infielder LaMonte Wade Jr.
Borucki pitched six scoreless innings in Cactus League action, striking out eight. Sims had five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Voth allowed one earned run in two innings. Wade had three home runs and nine RBIs in 15 games.
“They all had incredible camps,” Venable said Friday. “They were great in the clubhouse. They’re the type of guys that you want to have in your organization. They had opt-outs in their contracts, and unfortunately, we weren’t in a spot to necessarily make decisions on some of these, so it’s kind of part of the process.
“But those guys did a great job, guys that we hope there’s a path to have them back in the organization because they’ve all did a great job.”
With the moves, the Sox have 36 players remaining in camp: 17 pitchers, four catchers, seven infielders and eight outfielders.