Abreu takes professional approach to BP

DETROIT -- Hitting one home run to straightaway center at Comerica Park, covering at least 420 feet, usually falls in the rarefied Miguel Cabrera category. Jose Abreu has accomplished that feat twice in the first three games of this series.

"That's a long way," said White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson with a smile. "Especially this time of the year."

"He's clearly got big-time power," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Those were a couple of impressive home runs."

Those who watch Abreu during batting practice might not realize the extent of his power. But that fact highlights the professional approach taken by Abreu at all times.

His goal is to get ready for the game and not necessarily hit balls on to the concourse with every swing.

"Jose has got a good swing," Steverson said. "But if you watch him during BP, he's not the prototypical Mark McGwire-put-20-balls-into-the-stands-in-Big Mac-land kind of guy.

"He can throw them out in BP, but he works on his swing, and that's the best part about his whole game. He actually works on his swing and not just dropping and driving and trying to hit a ball out to the seats."