GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox catchers have made offensive contributions over the course of the first three spring games.
Friday, Korey Lee went 3-for-4 while in the designated hitter role during the Cactus League opener against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. Saturday, Edgar Quero collected three hits and drove in four runs against the Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Kyle Teel doesn't have a hit, but he's drawn three walks and has scored twice in two games.
"Catchers are hitting," manager Will Venable said before Sunday's 5-2 win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch. "It's awesome to see. And certainly their offensive profile, we're excited about. But really excited about what they've done defensively here early.
"Overall, just really good defensively for the catchers."
Quero and Teel handled a bulk of the catching duties as rookies last season. Lee returned from Triple-A Charlotte in August to give the Sox another option off the bench. While it remains to be seen if the Sox go with three to begin the 2026 season, each has made one start through the first three Cactus League games this spring.
"I think all three of the catchers, all of us lean on each other in different ways," Teel said last week. "Korey is the older one in the group. We lean on him for certain things, whether it's routine-wise or stuff like that. And then (Quero) can really back pick. So we talked to him about that."
Quero wants to improve in framing pitches and made that an offseason emphasis.
"Trying to do my best to do a great job behind the plate," he told the Tribune on Feb. 16.
Quero felt he did a "pretty good job" in that department in Saturday's game while providing an update to reporters on Sunday morning.
Quero, who made a team-leading 66 starts at catcher last season after being called up from Charlotte on April 17, was glad to aid the team by throwing out Darell Hernaiz on the stolen base attempt in the fourth inning.
"That was sick," Quero said. "Just see the ball and try to be quick. I made a perfect throw. It's just trying to catch the ball and throw it as fast as I can. I think with that throw, we can get anyone out. With another throw, he's going to be safe."
Quero also made the correct call in challenging what was originally a ball on a third-inning pitch thrown by Jordan Hicks . After the video review, it was reversed to strike three.
"That pitch was really, really nasty," Quero said.
As for the performance at the plate, which featured two singles and a double, Quero wants to keep making strides. He'd like to hit the ball in the air more this upcoming season.
"I need to keep working," he said. "It's just the first game (Saturday), I'm going to go out and keep working on stuff, especially loading my hips."
Quero had a .268/.333/.356 slash line with 17 doubles, five home runs and 36 RBIs last season while appearing in 111 games overall.
Teel is trying to build upon a season where he slashed .273/.375/.411 with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 78 games. He made 57 starts at catcher after joining the Sox from Charlotte on June 6.
"The biggest (takeaway from 2025) is just having experience playing in the big leagues, just what was my routine? What do I have to do every day? What do I need to stay healthy? It's just all those little things that you only know until you get there," Teel said.
In addition to preparing for the regular season, Teel is getting ready to play for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. He's scheduled to join them on March 1.
"I feel great," Teel said. "Body is healthy. I did start ramping up a little bit earlier when I was at home. But when it comes to the work we're getting here, we're getting a ton already. I feel ready."
Teel started at catcher on Friday and served as the DH on Sunday, flipping roles with Lee.
Lee appeared in 26 games last season, hitting .257. He was on the injured list from April 10 to May 27 with a left ankle sprain, got optioned to Charlotte on June 6 and returned on Aug. 22 . With the three catchers on the roster, the Sox were able to have Quero and Teel in the lineup more together, with one as the DH and the other catching.
Lee told the Tribune last week that he learned "a lot" along the way.
"Learned how to deal with injury, learned how to deal with getting back down, getting back up, not doing a whole lot," Lee said. "Learned myself, learned how to kind of navigate my time, learned how to be the best player I can be, even though when that stuff's happening I have no control over it and just controlling what I can control."
Lee said he is enjoying getting back at it this spring.
"This thing goes really fast," he said. "You never know when it's going to be the last time, just making every day count and being the best baseball player I can be."
