Is Olt the answer for Chicago White Sox?
When the season opened, Conor Gillaspie was the Chicago White Sox' starting third baseman.
Gillaspie had a .237 batting average with 3 home runs and 15 RBI in 58 games when he was designated for assignment on July 19.
Traded to the Angels on July 24, Gillaspie played in 17 games with Los Angeles and hit .203 with 1 homer and 9 RBI before being released again.
Tyler Saladino came up from Class AAA Charlotte and took over at third base for Gillaspie.
Defensively, Saladino was an instant upgrade, but his .231/.272/.342 hitting line, 4 home runs and 20 RBI in 62 games is troublesome for a disappointing Sox team that ranks last in the American League in runs scored (605) and second to last in home runs (134).
Acquired before the 2014 season from the Diamondbacks in a trade for closer Addison Reed, Matt Davidson was expected to be the White Sox' starting third baseman right about now.
Playing for Charlotte the past two seasons, Davidson was fourth in the International League with 20 home runs in '14 and first this year with 23.
But Davidson has led the IL in strikeouts both seasons and has not received a September invite to join the Sox.
Enter Mike Olt.
Hailed as an all-star talent when he broke in with the Rangers in 2012, Olt suffered a concussion playing winter ball when the season ended, had vision problems in '13 and wound up being traded to the Cubs.
The 27-year-old Olt was the Cubs' starting baseman this season, but he suffered a fractured right wrist in early April, lost his job to rookie phenom Kris Bryant and was designated for assignment on Aug. 31.
The White Sox claimed Olt off waivers on Sept. 5.
"It's been a crazy year, but I think everything happens for a reason," said Olt, who hit .273 with 9 home runs and 25 RBI in a combined 62 games with Class AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa after his wrist healed. "I definitely feel like there's an opportunity for me here (White Sox)."
With six games left on the schedule, has Olt shown enough to return to the Sox next season?
Yes … and no.
While homering in consecutive games on Sept. 16-17, Olt showed off his prodigious power. He also hit a tiebreaking home run off CC Sabathia in Friday's win over the Yankees.
On the flip side, Olt has a .215/.292/.354 slash line in 20 games with the White Sox while playing average defense at best.
"You see the power that's there, definitely, and you know that's there," manager Robin Ventura said. "We're just getting a look at him but knowing his history and power and things like that, you want to see him continue."
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: WPWR today; Comcast SportsNet Wednesday-Thursday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jeff Samardzija (10-13) vs. Johnny Cueto (10-12) today; Jose Quintana (9-10) vs. Edinson Volquez (13-9) Wednesday; John Danks (7-14) vs. Kris Medlen (5-2) Thursday. All games 7:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox wrap up the season with a six-game homestand. The Royals are looking ahead to their second straight playoff appearance after winning their first division title since 1985. Kansas City is 10-6 vs. the Sox this season. Samardzija is 0-3 with an 8.15 ERA in 3 starts vs. the Royals this year. Jose Abreu leads the White Sox with a .290 batting average, 29 home runs and 97 RBI. The Sox (73-83) have dropped five of their last six and are going to finish with a losing record for the third straight season.
Next: Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor