Why Edgar Quero Could Be The Chicago White Sox Breakout Star
Edgar Quero possesses one of baseball’s most unique and valuable skillsets in baseball, a switch-hitting catcher with advanced command of the strike zone.
That skill set was on full display during his rookie season. The 22-year-old posted one of the lowest chase rates in the majors, while also recording a 34% squared-up rate, which ranked in the 95th percentile league-wide.
That 34% mark reflects how consistently Quero made solid, barrel-centered contact, and it was a major reason he ranked in the top half of the league in hard-hit percentage while owning a 17.6% strikeout rate, in an era when the MLB average exceeds 22%.
But after spending the offseason training at the Driveline facility in Arizona, a cutting-edge player development lab that blends biometric data with innovative performance techniques, Quero is just scratching the surface of his potential.
Quero’s modest strikeout rate and knack for identifying pitches out of the strike zone are especially impressive given that pitchers throw harder than ever, while snapping off breaking balls that would make Babe Ruth swing out of his shoes.
However, there is still plenty of room for growth. He did not hit for a high average, has slow bat speed, and a high ground-ball rate. But his time at Driveline is showing early returns this spring.
In just four Cactus League games, Quero has already racked up seven hits, two of which went for doubles, eight RBIs, and a .692 slugging percentage.
One of Driveline’s primary focuses is bat speed and launch angle, which, in theory, should benefit Quero’s power numbers. Last season, he slashed a .268/.333/.356 five just five homers in 403 plate appearances. He crushed left-handers, posting a .852 OPS, but saw that mark drop to .602 against righties. There were also signs of fatigue late in the season, after batting .314 with a .862 OPs in July and August. Quero struggled to replicate that success in the final month of the year, seeing his average plummet to .218.
With time behind the plate at a premium due to Kyle Teel’s presence on the roster, the 2026 season represents a pivotal one for Edgar Quero, as the Chicago White Sox front office continues to evaluate the catching position.
Having two good players at a premium position is an excellent problem to have. White Sox general manager has already indicated that both Teel and Quero will work exclusively as catchers this season.
While that tandem comes with added pressure to perform, it could ultimately benefit both players. Producing offensively at catcher is one of the toughest tasks in baseball. The position demands squatting for nine innings, taking a beating from foul balls and errant pitches, and grinding through the dog days of summer in bulky protective gear, all of which can wear down even the most durable players.
Quero already looks locked in. In his first Spring Training game, he went 3-for-3 with a double and four RBIs. During Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, he added another multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 with a double.
If he can improve his exit velocity and launch angle this season, he could be in line for a massive season on the South Side.