Gillaspie earns a fan in Konerko

ARLINGTON -- The American League Rookie of the Month honor for April didn't go to Conor Gillaspie, despite the White Sox third baseman leading all AL rookies in games played, hits, home runs, slugging percentage and extra-base hits.

But Gillaspie, acquired by general manager Rick Hahn from the Giants during Spring Training, received the support of the club's most accomplished hitter in Paul Konerko after knocking out Wednesday's game-winning homer.

"He's doing great the first go-around here. He's getting better every day it seems like," said Konerko of Gillaspie, who entered Thursday's action with a team-high eight multi-hit games and hitting .358 vs. right-handed pitchers. "He can really hit.

"It's good to have that good left-handed hitting. He's just a good hitter. He's going to get hits. He knows what he's doing up there."

Rangers rookie right-hander Justin Grimm took the season's first monthly honor.