CHICAGO -- Blake Hickman made 17 starts for Kannapolis, the White Sox Single-A affiliate, during the 2017 season after being selected by the team in the seventh round of the ‘15 MLB Draft.
Now, Hickman is shaping the minds and arms of future White Sox hurlers in his first season as pitching coach for the Cannon Ballers. The 29-year-old is learning right alongside his slightly younger charges.
“You have to learn something every single day,” Hickman told MLB.com during a recent phone interview. “Watching video of your guys, watching videos on hitters -- that’s what I try to do.
“With this group, you have to [pay] attention to detail. Just staying on them about certain ways to pitch guys. Just go about their routine and being a professional. Those are the things I’m starting to learn more and pick up on. I’m not just here as a coach. I’m trying to get these guys ready for pro baseball for a long career.”
Hickman is working with top young pitchers at Kannapolis such as Noah Schultz, the club’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Peyton Pallette (No. 9) and Tanner McDougal (No. 19), to name a few. He is also getting help from White Sox Minor League pitching coordinator Everett Teaford, pitching advisor J.R. Perdew and Minor League pitching coaches Matt Zaleski and Donnie Veal.
“They come in and assist on things I may not see in-game,” Hickman said. “Just also monitor to see how the guys are doing as well. They’ve been a big help. They notice things I might not be seeing yet because of the experience those guys have.
“It’s nice having a second pair of eyes there, keep showing me the ropes and how good I can be. Just keep learning from these guys.”
Hickman is a graduate of the award-winning White Sox Amateur City Elite youth baseball program, but he’s now enjoying life on the bench as a coach.
“I feel like with the first half coming up, I’ve learned so much,” Hickman said. “It’s going to be scary the more I go. I know I’ll be good at this long-term.”
Schultz scratched
Schultz missed his scheduled start Saturday due to illness, as confirmed by the White Sox. Through three starts for Kannapolis, the southpaw has allowed only one hit and one walk in seven scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts.
Montgomery returns
Colson Montgomery, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and MLB’s No. 25 overall prospect, has returned from a mid-back strain to play five games for the organization’s Arizona Complex League team. He is 4-for-15 (.267) with two doubles, a triple and seven walks. The shortstop will soon return to Double-A Birmingham.
The running Dash
Terrell Tatum (No. 24) ranks second in the South Atlantic League with 31 stolen bases and tops the competition with 51 runs scored. He executed a straight steal of home during High-A Winston-Salem’s 12-2 loss to Greensboro on Saturday. Four Dash players have at least 10 stolen bases.
Elko’s excellence
First baseman Tim Elko continues to pummel opposing pitching for the Cannon Ballers. He has 16 home runs, 54 RBIs and 14 doubles to go with a .914 OPS through 65 games.