The Chicago White Sox were flat-out terrible just two seasons ago, losing a mind-boggling 121 games. Fast forward to now, and somehow, they’re legitimately fighting to make the postseason and win the AL Central division for the first time since 2021. They’re just one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for first place, making this final stretch absolutely wild. But here’s the kicker: despite this huge turnaround, one of their everyday players, Luisangel Acuña, is having an offensive season that’s just brutal.
A Hitting Performance Nobody Wants
Acuña, the younger brother of Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., has put together one of the worst offensive performances in the Majors this year. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer didn’t mince words, naming him Chicago’s worst player of 2026. Can you believe it? Rymer pointed out that even Edgar Quero, who had the same 217 plate appearances and an even worse -0.8 rWAR, isn’t even on the roster anymore. Yet, Acuña is still “doing the bad kind of damage” at the plate. In 98 games, his slash line is a pathetic .227/.260/.261 with only one home run and a .522 OPS. That’s just rough. His 47 OPS+ means he’s 53 percent worse than the average hitter. When you look at hitters with at least 200 plate appearances, only three guys have been less productive. That’s a stat you never want to see next to your name.
Speed Can’t Fix Everything, But It Helps
So, why is Acuña still on the roster when his bat is such a liability? While his hitting is definitely an issue, he does bring one major skill to the table: speed. The 24-year-old has swiped 17 bases in 23 attempts, ranking him in the 98th percentile for sprint speed across the league. That kind of quickness is a weapon, providing value on the basepaths even when he can’t get on base consistently. He might not see a ton of playing time if the White Sox make the postseason, especially with those offensive numbers, but his legs could be a game-changer in a pinch runner situation.
The White Sox absolutely need productive weeks from every single player, both everyday guys and those off the bench, if they want to book that automatic trip to the ALDS. Can Luisangel Acuña find a way to contribute beyond his elite speed, or will his bat remain a giant question mark as Chicago fights for the division? It’s going to be wild to watch how this plays out in the next few weeks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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