White Sox seeking results from prospect Mitchell

CHICAGO -- The road has not been an easy one traveled for Jared Mitchell since the White Sox selected him in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. The outfielder, who split time between football and baseball at LSU, missed a crucial development year in 2010 after tearing a tendon in his left ankle during Spring Training.

Mitchell has struggled to find success with the bat since, hitting .157 with 41 strikeouts over 70 at-bats for Triple-A Charlotte this season, following a .167 showing last season. White Sox director of player development Nick Capra believes Mitchell, in his sixth season with the organization, might need to get out of his own way to succeed.

"We all know he's a very, very talented athletic kid," Capra said. "Sometimes he wants to do things his way. Sometimes his way is not always the best way to do things.

"Hopefully he softens up a little bit and starts taking instruction a little bit better. Once he does that, he'll reap the benefits."

Mitchell and the White Sox understand the time is now for him to show improvement at the plate.

"I think so. I think he thinks so," Capra said. "That's going to help once he knows things will change a little bit. Maybe things will click."