MIAMI – White Sox hitting coach Derek Shomon didn’t need long in Miami to make a lasting connection.
After serving as the Marlins’ assistant hitting coach last season, Shomon called it the most rewarding year of his coaching career. Now, as he begins his first season in Chicago, he’s aiming to “surpass” what he built in Miami, this time a little closer to home.
“Last year was a ton of fun,” Shomon said. “That staff and that group is like family. Even after just one season, we accomplished a lot. We're super proud of that group, really.
“It’s a good homecoming and it’s always good to see those guys.”
The Glenview, Ill., native returned to loanDepot park this week with the White Sox for the White Sox-Marlins series, which was tied at one win apiece following Chicago's 9-2 loss on Tuesday night.
Chicago generated its offense in the third inning, stringing together a series of singles. Edgar Quero recorded his first hit of the season, followed by a base hit from Luisangel Acuña. Munetaka Murakami drove in Quero with another single, and Andrew Benintendi added an RBI single to right field to bring home Acuña, accounting for the only White Sox runs.
While the lineup is still developing, its early production has leaned heavily on power. Chicago has scored a significant portion of its runs via home runs, including grand slams in its previous two games.
Shomon officially joined the organization in February. Manager Will Venable has already noticed the impact, particularly in the team’s offensive approach.
“He's genuine, he cares about these guys,” Venable said. “He's really quickly built really good relationships with the guys. [He] has an ability to build those relationships and then deliver the honesty that follows that, and especially in the hitting coaching role.”
That connection started early, with Shomon crediting the organization’s onboarding process and the players’ willingness to engage during the offseason.
“I felt like I was able to get down there [to Chicago on] February 1 and hit the ground running,” Shomon said. “Which is huge coming into a new organization.”
Beyond preparation and communication, Shomon’s energy stands out most, something his former colleagues in Miami remember well.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough didn’t hesitate when reflecting on their time together.
“Sho Time,” McCullough said. “He could liven up a room. He's a very good hitting coach. Sho knows the swing technically, understands the biomechanical aspect and is very good with game planning.
“[I] loved dissecting games with him after each night last year.”
That same presence has carried into the White Sox clubhouse, with Austin Hays noting that in the two months since meeting him, he has not seen Shomon take five minutes without that energy and personality.
“He's on it all day, every day,” Hays said. “The first time I met him, the first week or so, I was like, ‘Man, this guy's energy is crazy.’ He's on you, he's loud, he's on top of everything, and he's got something for you every day.”
According to Hays, that consistency, paired with preparation, is what makes Shomon effective.
“There's some guys [Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers] on this team here in Miami that I played with in Baltimore, so I got to talk to them, and they're like, ‘Hey, man, how you liking Sho?,’” Hays said. “They had nothing but good things to say about him, and kind of all the same things that I've thought so far.”
So where does that energy come from?
Shomon said it’s a relentless approach he tries to carry over the course of a long season.
“It’s a lofty goal, right? 162 games is a lot,” Shomon said. “So show up and be loud. Bring the vibes, love on these guys. Care for these guys every day, and it's not always easy to do, right? We're humans, but I have to remind myself of the kind of [getting] the fruit of your labor when you do that.”