Gillaspie (4 hits) has day to remember in Sox win
Alexei Ramirez is a vastly improved hitter this season and, based on his stellar all-around play, the White Sox' shortstop is heading for his first All-Star Game this summer.
Dayan Viciedo also had been a much better hitter this year, and ditto for Tyler Flowers and Gordon Beckham.
Don't forget about Conor Gillaspie, either.
In danger of losing his starting job at third base to newcomer Matt Davidson during spring training, Gillaspie might have gotten the nod because he's out of minor-league options.
Considering the Sox traded closer Addison Reed to the Arizona Diamondbacks to get him, Davidson still rates as the Sox' third baseman of the future. But the way Gillaspie has been hitting, good luck getting him out of the lineup.
The 26-year-old infielder had a Memorial Day game to remember Monday at U.S. Cellular Field, bagging a career-high 4 hits and becoming the first White Sox player to hit 3 doubles in a game since Paul Konerko did it exactly two years earlier.
"He's much improved from last year, for me," manager Robin Ventura said after the Sox beat the Indians 6-2. "I think he's worked hard at it. This year he's confident in who he is and belonging in the big leagues and knowing what it takes day to day to play.
"Just his acceptance of where he's at and who he is as a player is what makes him good this year."
A 4-for-4 day hiked Gillaspie's batting average to a sturdy .352, which would lead the American League if he had enough at-bats to qualify. Gillaspie was on the disabled list from April 22-May 6 with a sore left hand.
Spending the entire 2013 season with the White Sox obviously helped Gillaspie become a better hitter.
"I think more than anything, there are a lot of times that this is the second or third time that I've seen a lot of these guys, so it's just knowing kind of what to expect or what guys like to do in certain spots," Gillaspie said.
"That's the biggest thing, becoming accustomed and comfortable to this level of baseball, and half the battle is getting over that."
Last season Gillaspie batted .245 and had 13 home runs and 40 RBI in 134 games. This year he has yet to hit a homer.
"He's a line-drive hitter by nature," Ventura said. "He does have power, and I think that'll come. Part of it is he has a very level swing, but he hits things hard quite often. He squares things up just as much as anybody and it makes him a very good hitter. Power-wise, eventually that will come."
Viciedo supplied the needed power in Monday's win, connecting on a 3-run homer off Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin after an error by third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall extended the third inning.
That gave White Sox starter Jose Quintana some rare support and needed breathing room, and the offense kept adding on. Since 2012, only the Indians' Justin Masterson has less run support than Quintana among AL starting pitchers.
"It's a great thing," Viciedo said through a translator. "I feel like it should give him more confidence when he's pitching ahead and he has a few runs on top. That was good when we were able to score 3 runs and just let him pitch freely.
"We know he's a guy that he does his job regardless. It's definitely good to provide for him and give him some support."
Even after the Davidson trade, Gillaspie said the support he has received from Sox coaches and the front office helped elevate his game.
"I can't complain," Gillaspie said. "They continually give me chances and throw me out there regardless of how well I did the day before. It's a good feeling to know they trust me to hit here I hit in the lineup and to run me out there most of the time."
sgregor@dailyherald.com