CHICAGO -- The White Sox posted an 8-3-2 record over their last 13 Cactus League games, which has the same sort of positive meaning as the negative connotations coming from their 1-8-2 Cactus League start.
Basically, nothing really matters, record- or statistics-wise, until the regular season begins on April 1 in Anaheim, Calif. -- especially for a White Sox team with World Series championship aspirations. But this Spring Training has been a successful one for the White Sox, whether their day ended in a win or a loss.
They grew to know manager Tony La Russa, the Hall of Famer who is starting his second run in charge of the White Sox at the age of 76. They saw his attention to detail and the purpose behind every move, geared to give the team an edge or make the player and team better.
This bond didn’t surprise José Abreu, the reigning American League Most Valuable Player Award winner and team leader. Not after he heard Albert Pujols praise the man who guided his unbelievable career from 2001-11 in St. Louis.
“Albert told me how much Tony respects the game and how much Tony respects the players and the people around him, and he wasn't wrong,” said Abreu through interpreter Billy Russo. “It has been incredible to be with Tony, to be part of this team right now. I'm just blessed to be here because it is a blessing to be around someone like Tony.”
Here’s a more detailed examination of the White Sox Spring Training.
Best development
Andrew Vaughn has only 245 Minor League plate appearances from the 2019 season on his resume and has not played above High-A Winston-Salem in the Carolina League. But for a second straight year, the 22-year-old has looked like a polished Major League hitter during Spring Training.
Vaughn already possesses the mindset to be able to put one or two bad at-bats behind him and focus on the next trip to the plate, while also showing a discerning batting eye and the ability to use the whole ballpark. The White Sox No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, should break camp as the team’s designated hitter and has started mapping out a plan to handle that difficult role, talking to Jim Thome during Arizona workouts for advice. Vaughn plans to treat DH like any other position, staying engaged all game, but now he could see time in left field with Eloy Jiménez’s left pectoral tendon rupture sidelining him for five to six months. It's a position Vaughn has worked on during Spring Training and at the Schaumburg, Ill., alternate training site last year.
Unfortunate events
It was a relatively healthy Spring Training for the White Sox until the last week or so.
Jiménez’s injury is a direct hit, even for a potent White Sox lineup, subtracting potentially 40 home runs and 100 RBIs from the attack. Closer Liam Hendriks has been sidelined since March 17 due to a kidney stone issue, but La Russa was hopeful Hendriks could throw in a game this weekend. If he is able to hit that mark, Hendriks should have time to get ready for the regular season.
Adam Engel had knocked out five extra-base hits combined in the two games prior to suffering a right hamstring strain while making a nice running catch in center field against Cleveland on March 20. Engel will be sidelined from two to four weeks, and the White Sox will be without another valuable outfield component at the season’s outset.
Right-handed reliever Jimmy Cordero recently underwent successful Tommy John surgery and was then placed on the 60-day injured list to make room for the addition of left-handed reliever Nik Turley to the 40-man roster.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal twisted his right knee during running drills on Feb. 24 and has been gradually working his way back, but he has caught three games and looks ready for Opening Day, barring a setback. Abreu missed the start of camp in compliance with MLB intake protocols due to a positive COVID test, but he was asymptomatic and is playing full games without any lingering effects.
Player who opened eyes
Carlos Rodón was non-tendered in December by the White Sox after parts of six seasons with the team and then brought back two months later via a one-year, $3 million free-agent deal. That non-tender situation, while basically a business move, gave the southpaw a little extra motivation, as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 Draft fanned 10 without a walk in nine scoreless innings going into Friday’s start to earn the fifth starter’s spot. Rodón also has cleaned up mechanics involving his lower half under the watchful eye of pitching coach Ethan Katz, making him believe he’s in the right position to sustain success and stay healthy.
Zack Collins, the team’s top pick in the 2016 Draft, told MLB.com he deserves to be on the White Sox Opening Day roster, and it would be a mistake not to include him. The catcher has gone out and backed up his words both offensively and defensively, making him a strong candidate for the No. 2 spot behind Grandal and now possibly a starting designated hitter nod if Vaughn is in left. He’s playing with the most confidence of his career.
Wow moment
Let’s go with one hitting and one pitching.
Jiménez delivered a prodigious clout in a game against the Reds on March 11, connecting off Cam Bedrosian on a drive that hit the Goodyear Ballpark scoreboard in left during the sixth inning of a 7-4 loss. There was no official measurement, but the home run should be listed at “traveling a long, long way.”
On March 23, during a 3-1 victory over the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz., Codi Heuer gave up a leadoff triple to Nico Hoerner while protecting a 2-1 advantage in the eighth. No problem for the right-hander, who struck out Jake Marisnick, Matt Duffy on a 3-2 pitch and Jose Lobaton to strand Hoerner. It was business as usual for Heuer, who struck out 13 without a walk over eight scoreless innings covering his first six appearances.
In case you missed it
Shortstop Tim Anderson one of the faces of Major League Baseball, let alone the White Sox, spoke candidly to MLB.com concerning his desire to stay with the White Sox for his entire career and how everything is great with La Russa.
Jake Burger, the team’s No. 16 prospect per MLB.com, returned to Spring Training for the first time since 2018 when he suffered the first of two ruptured left Achilles tendons while running to first base in Cactus League action. Burger was very candid about the hard work he put in toward this meaningful return, telling MLB.com in an interview about how he teared up driving to the first day of workouts at Camelback Ranch.