Gotta LOVE our Sox as Spring Training Begins on Valentine’s Day
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Pitchers and Catchers Report Today
As pitchers, catchers and some position players report to Camelback Ranch-Glendale (CR-G) today for the start of spring training, there’s no question youth will be served for the White Sox this season with our young stars ready to be showcased this spring and throughout the season. And don’t forget returning standouts such as 1B Jose Abreu, 3B Todd Frazier, SS Tim Anderson, OF Melky Cabrera, LHP Jose Quintana and LHP Carlos Rodon.
The full-squad will report to the Sox’ Arizona camp this Saturday and the Cactus League opener is Saturday, February 25 (2:05 p.m. CT) vs the Dodgers at CR-G.
Here’s a portion of new skipper Rick Renteria’s comments during yesterday’s media availability on the eve of “pitchers and catchers.”
“The expectation outside can be what it’s going to be — we still have to have high expectations for ourselves. Part of the process of playing the game a certain way is obviously looking for the victory. The question is how are we going to approach our attack on a daily basis? Everyone is going to have high expectations for themselves in that clubhouse.
“There are going to be times where my guys don’t like me very much, and that’s OK. There are going to be times where I don’t like them very much. But I’m always going to love them.
“We have to give ourselves an opportunity to grow in confidence,” Renteria continued. “We have to understand when you do fail it’s not the end of the world. It’s just a moment, and we have to question how we went about it with our approach in that particular moment. I want them to know we’re not going to be quitters.”
The full spring schedule:
Top 100 Prospects
To underscore the quality of the Sox youth movement, Baseball America just came out with its Top 100 big-league prospects, which includes five from the Sox system:
№2: Yoan Moncada, 2B
№25: Lucas Giolito, RHP
№31: Reynaldo Lopez, RHP
№32: Michael Kopech, RHP
№56: Zack Collins, C
More on the Sox from Scott Merkin of whitesox.com:
“Prospects to watch: Moncada, who is built like a linebacker, will get a chance to show his power and speed, while Kopech, who readily talks about his respect for and comparison to the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard, can flash his 100-mph fastball. Everyone mentions these two along with Giolito, RH reliever Zack Burdi, Lopez, Collins and RHP Carson Fulmer, but let’s not forget RHP Spencer Adams, OF Courtney Hawkins, OF Jacob May, OF Charlie Tilson, RHP Tyler Danish and OF Adam Engel, all of whom will be working hard in big league camp.
“New faces: Take away the top prospects acquired in the two trades and there really aren’t that many new players dotting this opening rebuilding phase. Free agent Derek Holland was signed to a one-year deal worth $6 million, and many believe the left-hander will fit well with pitching coach Don Cooper in getting the southpaw back to his standout form shown with Texas from 2011–13…
“Right-hander Dylan Covey is an interesting addition via the Rule 5 Draft, while outfielder Rymer Liriano enters camp having missed all of last season with the Brewers after being hit in the face with a pitch during Spring Training. Catcher Geovany Soto and outfielder Peter Bourjos are non-roster invitees who have strong chances of breaking camp with the team.
“Interesting non-roster invitees: Soto, who played the 2015 season with the White Sox, sits as the early favorite to split time behind the plate with Omar Narvaez. Bourjos could do the same with Tilson in center, while SS Everth Cabrera and OF-INF Cody Asche should battle for the final position player spot. The same holds true for LHP Cory Luebke and RHP Anthony Swarzak for the final two bullpen spots…”
World Baseball Classic
The fourth World Baseball Classic (WBC) takes center stage on March 6 and continues through March 22. Seven White Sox from the major-league club and minor-league system adorn the international rosters. The Dominican Republic is the defending champion.
Sox in the WBC:
Jose Quintana, LHP, Colombia
Miguel Gonzalez, RHP, Mexico
David Robertson, RHP, and Nate Jones, RHP, United States
Giovanni Soto, LHP, Puerto Rico
Alex Katz, LHP, Israel
Gregory Infante, RHP, Venezuela
Quote of the Day
Grammy MVP
White Sox club ambassador Chance the Rapper was one of the big winners at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, hauling in three pieces of hardware, including Best New Artist.
Photo of the Day
The skipper meets the media as camp begins.
