DETROIT -- Adam Engel's defensive prowess has been nationally profiled recently, with three home run-stealing catches since last Monday, placing him alongside other noteworthy performances and in the discussion for American League Player of the Week prior to Boston's J.D. Martinez claiming the honor.
But it's Engel's offense dictating his Major League staying power. Engel carried Sunday's three-hit game into Monday's 9-5 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park, where he homered again and finished with two hits, giving him four extra-base hits over two days. On the flip side, Engel was 1-for-16 with nine strikeouts and no RBIs previously in August.

"[White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson] has been talking about his swing path, trying to get him to get down through the ball a little and don't worry so much about getting it in the air," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "More about [making contact].
"Yesterday, he was fouling off pitches he might have missed completely. But the hitter has to become very comfortable in the physical approach to the baseball. We still have to look at him and evaluate. Again, we need to ascertain what it is that our men bring to the table."
Engel, 26, ranks second in Statcast™'s Outs Above Average category with 15, tied with the Cardinals' Harrison Bader and the Braves' Ender Inciarte, and trailing the Reds' Billy Hamilton by one. Engel is a career .195 hitter with an OPS of .553, but he believes his offensive game has developed in 2018.
"I feel like I'm on the upswing," Engel said. "Just trying to take this momentum and carry it out throughout the rest of the year. I've definitely made strides this year compared to where I was last year, and that's what you want to do as a player, improve as much as you can.
"Just understanding my swing a little bit. Understanding the approach better. Just things of that nature. Getting more comfortable up here. Knowing what pitchers are trying to do. It's an experience thing. The more at-bats you get, you are going to get better. And the swing, mechanically, you always try to tighten that up. It's been a good year."
Renteria backing Covey
Renteria reiterated Dylan Covey continues to hold a spot in the White Sox rotation prior to Monday's game against the Tigers. Covey dipped to 1-8 in his past 10 starts after Sunday's loss to Cleveland, allowing 46 earned runs on 60 hits over his last 46 1/3 innings.
Michael Kopech, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has a 3-0 record with a 1.89 ERA to go with 50 strikeouts and four walks over his past 38 innings for Triple-A Charlotte. But Renteria doesn't look at those two as necessarily intertwined.
"The timeline for those young men in our system has nothing to do with the outcome or performance of the guys who are here, in terms of changing whatever it is we're looking at as an organization and when we're going to bring somebody up," Renteria said. "Everything and anything is always evolving and has a possibility of changing, but right now, [Covey] is part of the rotation, and we need him to try to improve."
Hawk documentary premiering soon
The White Sox and NBC Sports Chicago announced a joint production for a brand new documentary that chronicles the life and career of one of the most colorful characters and influential personalities in baseball history: Ken "Hawk" Harrelson. This special feature presentation, entitled "Hawk," premieres Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Harrelson will retire from broadcasting after 33 seasons at the conclusion of the 2019 season, but he will reach eight decades in baseball by the time he leaves the booth. The one-hour documentary covers pretty much all aspects of Harrelson's fascinating existence.
"He does it in his own way that will never be duplicated," said White Sox television play-by-play voice Jason Benetti of Harrelson. "Passion for the team will show up in a lot of ways, but the way he does it is [rare]."
Third to first
• The White Sox have struck out 1,136 times this season entering Monday, the second-highest total in the Major Leagues behind Texas (1,146). They are on pace to strike out 1,573 times, which would break the franchise record of 1,397 set last season.
• Luis Robert, the White Sox No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is 4-for-14 since his return to Class A Advanced Winston-Salem from a left thumb injury.
"He's probably got the most natural, mechanically sound swing that we have," said White Sox Minor League hitting coordinator Mike Gellinger of Robert. "He's got a lot of whip in his bat and it's very simple. He puts himself in a good spot to hit all the time."