Patience helping Viciedo thrive at the plate

DETROIT -- Dayan Viciedo not only is at his best when he is driving the ball to right and right-center, but that direction stands as the natural source of power from his swing.

So if going the other way stands as the beneficial norm for the right-handed-hitting Viciedo, what has been different in regard to his success, as seen in this season's .321 average entering Monday's series opener in Detroit? One key factor is that Viciedo has been more controlled at the plate, chasing fewer offspeed pitches on the outer half.

"One, I'm becoming more patient. And two, it's that I've seen it a lot," said Viciedo through interpreter and White Sox manager of cultural development Lino Diaz. "Now, I can recognize it early and lay off of them."

Viciedo already has drawn five walks in 53 at-bats this season, compared to 24 walks in 441 at-bats during 2013. There's no question he has exhibited greater plate discipline.

He has also received everyday playing time in right field because of Avisail Garcia's season-ending shoulder injury and run with the chance, moving from a left-field platoon with Alejandro De Aza at the season's outset. Viciedo is 10-for-27 with five RBIs over seven games since becoming the White Sox primary right fielder.

"Yes, I feel comfortable there even though I haven't played there," said Viciedo of right field. "I've been taking fly balls there and just continue to practice there. When a fellow teammate gets hurt, it's something that you don't want to happen so you get an opportunity. I don't want to take it like that. But I take it as I got a chance to play and prove what I can do."

"Once the injury happened to Avi, he fell right into playing," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "When something bad happens, something good happens to somebody else. He's getting an opportunity to play."