The White Sox entered 2026 on the heels of a 19-game improvement last season, though expectations were tempered. Through 143 of 162 this season, it’s safe to say the 2026 White Sox have blown the preseason expectation out of the water. They enter Wednesday’s action at 75-69 and flirting with their first Postseason berth in five years thanks to an offense that leads the American League with 4.76 runs per game. The offensive surge in 2026 is certainly not because of contributions at the catcher position, whose .528 OPS ranks dead last in baseball. But the White Sox have recently welcomed back Kyle Teel, and his health and consistency in the lineup could be the key to October.
Teel, 24, was set to begin the season as the White Sox starting catcher after a strong showing in 2025, but suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic in March. Teel nearly made his return to the lineup in May, but suffered a knee strain after his spike caught during a rehab stint in Charlotte and ended up sidelined for another month. Teel played just 19 games and struggled to produce consistently upon his return before going down with a sprained ankle suffered while making a play at the plate on July 20th. He returned to the lineup this past weekend, going 0-for-8 to start before launching a three-run homer in his final at bat Sunday night.
Kyle Teel puts the cherry on top of a great night on the South Side! pic.twitter.com/sI4o9rj0Au
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 7, 2026
At his worst, Teel is still the White Sox' best option at catcher
Overall, in 22 games, Teel has slashed .181/253/.333 this season with three home runs and a .586 OPS. The production hasn’t been great but is easily explained by his numerous injuries, shortened spring, and inability to put together any consistency. During the time Teel was gone, the White Sox catching group primarily featured Edgar Quero (.544 OPS), Drew Romo (.527 OPS), and Jake Rogers (.441 OPS). Joey Bart was added at the deadline to hopefully provide some stability, but a broken hand suffered in just his third game with the team derailed those plans.
Even at what’s likely his lowest point, Teel’s production has been marginally better than any of the team’s other catching options. At his best, he’s a difference-maker in the lineup, and the White Sox are hopeful that consistent at bats over the season’s final few weeks will get Teel into a groove for the Postseason. If it does, the team won’t really have a weakness in the lineup from 1-9, and they may be able to slug their way to some playoff wins despite a suspect pitching staff.
Teel’s final at bat on Sunday could be the beginning of a nice run down the stretch in 2026, so his production over the final three weeks will be worth keeping an eye on. As the White Sox move closer and closer to a playoff berth, they’ll hope his production only goes up.
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