White Sox giving Wilkins' bat a look
After batting .293 for Class AAA Charlotte and leading the International League with 30 home runs and ranking second with 85 RBI, Andy Wilkins was positioned for a September call-up with the White Sox.
But with Adam Dunn being traded to the Oakland A's, Wilkins joined the Sox one game earlier than expected.
The left-handed hitter played first base in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field.
Wilkins, a 2010 fifth-round draft choice out of the University of Arkansas, batted seventh for the White Sox and was 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts. He also flied out to deep right field.
"That was cool," Wilkins said. "It was kind of nice to get it our of the way. It was a good day. It's one I'll never forget. I had the three strikeouts or whatever, but tomorrow's another day. It was a good day."
Look for Wilkins to be the regular designated hitter in September as the White Sox try to determine if he can handle the key offensive spot in 2015 and beyond.
"I'll be excited to just get into a routine," Wilkins said. "Today was kind of one of those days where I wasn't sure if I was going to be here or not. Sure enough, in the starting lineup. It was an interesting day, but my wife was here so it was a great day."
Before his breakout season with Charlotte, Wilkins batted .438 (7-for-16) with 1 home run and 5 RBI in 17 spring training games with the Sox.
"He got here late (Saturday) night," manager Robin Ventura said. "I'm sure it's a whirlwind for him, first to be excited to be here and come in here and all of the sudden you're playing first base in a day game, it's a bit overwhelming.
"We'll see what happens once we go on the road and he's able to settle down. He's going to get some playing time. He has a nice swing; he knows how to hit. You chalk this one up to probably being a little overanxious."
Roster shuffle:
It was a busy weekend for the White Sox.
General manager Rick Hahn traded outfielder Alejandro De Aza to the Orioles for two minor-league pitchers Saturday night and dealt Adam Dunn to the A's Sunday for another young arm.
The Sox also purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Scott Snodgress from Class AAA Charlotte Sunday and returned outfielder Moises Sierra from the disabled list.
Snodgress replaces Chris Bassitt, who came up from AA Birmingham and started Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against Detroit.
Bassitt was optioned to Charlotte after the game but is likely to rejoin the White Sox when 25-man rosters expand in September.
Snodgress opened the season at Birmingham and was a starter, but he pitched out of the bullpen with Charlotte and was 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA in 8 relief appearances.
"I've enjoyed it a lot," Snodgress said of pitching out of the bullpen. "At first, it was a little bit of an adjustment, but now that I'm used to it, I feel that it's a good fit. I'm seriously still waiting to wake up and realize this is all a dream. I'm super excited and looking forward to the opportunity, looking forward to hopefully helping the White Sox win some games."