GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Here are four takeaways from White Sox Spring Training action on Monday.
White Sox announce Anderson series
Tim Anderson often stresses the words “authentic” and “fun” to describe how he approaches baseball on a day-to-day basis.
So, it’s of no surprise that "TA7: The Story of Tim Anderson" -- a five-episode documentary series presented by Nike, and exploring Anderson’s journey within the game of baseball -- gets a similar seal of approval from the All-Star shortstop.
“It’s pretty dope. It’s going to be pretty cool,” Anderson said before going 1-for-3 with an RBI during Cactus League action against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. “Giving a chance for people to get in-depth with things I’ve been through.
“Just see it’s kind of good to hear from other people to see the journey I’ve been on and understand. Know what kind of person I am. Hopefully, they will understand me a little bit better.”
According to the White Sox, the series recounts Anderson’s move from being a basketball star in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to his status as one of the top shortstops in the game. The series will be available exclusively on the White Sox YouTube channel with episodes airing weekly, and the first episode debuts on Tuesday.
“They have my high school basketball coach and he’s giving some stories,” Anderson said. “They have [Jason] Benetti in there. My college baseball coach. [Bo] Jackson is in it. Len Kasper is in it. It’s got a handful of good people in there who are going to give you some good intake.
“I’m excited. I think it’s a great way to get my message across and for people to understand me a little bit better.”
That specific message, according to Anderson, is that he can be the best.
“And why I work the way I do. Nothing was easy,” said Anderson, who already has seen the first couple of episodes. “I had to work to get here, and just because I got here, I’m not stopping. I’m going to keep working.
“All this stuff is extra. All this is just really a bonus and I’m thankful for it, and I’m going to keep pushing. I’m just at a point where I have to keep living and see what’s going to keep coming, and that’s all I can do.”
Kelly on the mound
Joe Kelly threw a side session on Monday morning, making the move to the mound after throwing off flat ground. The White Sox are being careful building up the free-agent addition, who saw his 2021 season with the Dodgers end in the playoffs due to a right biceps nerve issue.
It’s an understandable, but still challenging slowdown for the right-hander, who has 40 playoff appearances on his resume. It's a total the White Sox intend to increase.
“I do think he's going to have to be patient and smart,” manager Tony La Russa said. “But we're all impressed that the ball is coming out nicely. He won't be that long.”
Engel on the mend
After hurting his left shoulder during a slide into home last season, Adam Engel had his labrum repaired after the White Sox were eliminated from the playoffs. Engel has hit off Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech and Craig Kimbrel on the back fields at Camelback Ranch since Spring Training began, but he is ready and hoping to get into game action soon.
Engel's injury-plagued 2021 campaign, which also involved right hamstring issues, was frustrating for a 30-year-old who appeared to be on the rise.
“It was frustrating, especially I was kind of on a schedule there where I couldn’t play even when I was healthy,” Engel said. “I was kind of being limited as far as they were trying to make sure I would stay healthy. You feel like you can contribute to a winning team and then because you are not healthy, you are unable to do that. So, just a bummer.
“As competitors, playing through pain isn’t necessarily an issue. When it starts to affect your performance and it affects the team’s performance, that stinks. It’s just frustrating from the standpoint of you want to be on the field and it was like one thing after another last year. ... I feel really good now and excited to get going.”
Pitching futures
Lance Lynn is slated to start on Wednesday against the Rangers in Surprise, Ariz. The right-hander is set for three innings. Craig Kimbrel, Garrett Crochet and Liam Hendriks are scheduled behind him.