CHICAGO — White Sox rookie center fielder Tristan Peters probably couldn’t dream up a better 24-hour period if he tried.
Friday night, he worked his way into Sox annals by becoming the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle in a 14-1 win against the Athletics.
Then on Saturday morning, he learned he had been selected to the American League All-Star roster as a replacement, joining Sox teammates Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami for the Tuesday game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
“I mean, it’s surreal,” Peters, 26, said before Game 2 of the series Saturday afternoon at Rate Field. “It doesn’t feel real at the moment. I can’t believe this is all happening. It feels like all at once. I’m just so grateful.”
Peters, who’s slashing .302/.356/.482, replaced Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, who went on the injured list Saturday with a right thumb sprain.
Sox manager Will Venable said the nod was well-deserved.
“He’s accomplished a lot this year and has had a lot of exciting moments,” he said. “Especially on the heels of last night, with a special performance, that this All-Star selection is obviously very special for him.”
Meanwhile, the Sox beat the Athletics, 1-0, and go for the sweep Sunday to close out the first half of the season. Chase Meidroth hit an RBI double to left in the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie.
Athletics starter Gage Jump walked Colson Montgomery on a full count before serving up Meidroth’s double on a 96-mph fastball, but a collective pitching effort — five players combined on the four-hit shutout — and strong defensive play won the day for the Sox — especially a few timely putouts from Luisangel Acuña.
“It was huge,” Venable said. “That’s why he’s out there — his ability to defend at the shortstop position is obviously impressive. He’s been doing it all year and came up huge today with some really nice plays.”
Venable intended to give Peters the day off but needed him to pinch hit for Junior Pérez in the seventh, flying out to center, then stayed in the game on a defensive switch.
Peters has come a long way since the beginning of the season.
He told reporters Saturday that he wasn’t sure he’d make the opening-day roster — and he and wife Erin welcomed a baby girl, Elaine, during the middle of spring training.
Peters said he was stunned and speechless when he learned he was named an All-Star. His wife had a different reaction.
“She was still in bed, actually,” he said, laughing. “The baby’s been giving her a tough time. But she was so pumped — probably more than me.”
Peters said it has been tough balancing baseball and family, especially as new parents, but “she’s holding down the fort. She’s almost a single mom half the time I’m gone, (which is) so often.
“She’s a super mom, really. She lets me sleep at night, she takes care of the baby. She’s the real hero in this situation.”
While Erin kept home life in order, Peters worked on his game.
“I went into it (thinking) I’m going to try to make the most out of it, and just be who I am as a player too,” he said. “And I know there was a lot of bunting in the beginning and just trying to figure out who I am at a big level, and they (Sox coaches) give space for that too.”
Hitting coaches advised him on how to work on his mechanics, including correcting the lower half of his swing and turning on balls properly.
“They kind of joke like, ‘If you do this, you’ll be an All-Star,’ ” Peters recalled. “And I don’t know if they were kidding. It felt like kind of sarcasm. But (I) worked with them, and now that’s come true, and it’s just truly incredible.”
Peters entered Saturday’s game having racked up 20 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 35 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 89 games. He ranks first among MLB rookies (minimum 260 plate appearances) in slugging percentage and average, second in OPS and tied for second in doubles.
Peters is the Sox’s ninth rookie named to the All-Star Game, joining Murakami, Shane Smith (2025), José Abreu (2014), Ron Kittle (1983), Carlos May (1969), Tommie Agee (1966), Jim Busby (1951) and Minnie Miñoso (1951). He’s also the first Canadian-born Sox player to be named an All-Star.
“That was awesome,” Chase Meidroth said of his teammate’s recognition. “What a story he’s had, and anything’s possible. Keep grinding, keep working and that’s what he does. We’re all happy for him.”
The only downside to the All-Star selection: The Peters family had to change its vacation plans. “We had plans already with some friends on a lake house,” he said. It was by Grass Lake, near Antioch, if he recalls correctly.
“We got an Airbnb, but she was like, she was so pumped,” he said. “We’re like, ‘We’re going to Philadelphia. Don’t matter. We change our plans.’ “
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