When it comes to defense, White Sox no longer 'stink'

Before we get to what's right with the Chicago White Sox this season, let's look back and examine one area that was all wrong the past three seasons.

And let's give some credit to Ken "Hawk" Harrelson for pouncing on the problem early.

The day before the April 4 season opener at Oakland, I asked the veteran TV broadcaster about the White Sox's forgettable recent past.

"I've said this a thousand times, and hopefully I won't have to say it too much this year," Harrelson began, "the first rule of baseball is catch the ball. It's not pitching. It's not hitting.

"If you're going to get 27 outs at the major-league level and you're going to give another major-league team 30 or 31 outs, you're probably going to lose. And the last few years, we just stunk catching the ball."

Harrelson was right. And while the Sox's old-school announcer doesn't care much for sabermetrics, the defensive numbers don't lie.

Last season, the White Sox were dead last in the major leagues with a -39.5 Ultimate Zone Rating. The stat measures how many runs a team or player saves or gives up on the defensive end.

In 2014, the Sox were 28th out of 30 teams with a -39.1 UZR.

In 2013, they were 22nd with a -25.4 UZR.

This season? Heading into Saturday's game against the Yankees, the White Sox had a 4.7 UZR, which ranked eighth in the majors.

"The defense has been spectacular," said starting pitcher Mat Latos, who is off to a 5-0 start thanks to some solid glove support. "We know if we don't strike everybody out, we still have a chance of getting an out."

The Sox's offense was the worst in the American League last season, and that's a big reason why power-hitting Todd Frazier was targeted in an off-season trade.

Another trade acquisition - Brett Lawrie - has also been an offensive upgrade at second base, as have free agents Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro at catcher.

As an added bonus, Frazier has been playing standout defense at third base, Lawrie has been solid at second and 37-year-old Jimmy Rollins is showing he can still pick it and throw it at shortstop.

"When you get out in the field, play your defense and let your pitchers control the game," Frazier said.

The revamped infield has been playing defense at a high level since the season opener against the A's, and the outfield has been even better.

When the White Sox signed Austin Jackson on March 6, he was immediately plugged into center field. That moved Adam Eaton from center to right, and the Sox's overall outfield defense improved dramatically.

"Knowing my outfielders are going to run it down, and knowing these guys are going to get dirty and do everything they can for me and for us, and that's what gets you through it," ace starter Chris Sale said.

Eaton could have sulked when he was displaced by Jackson in center field. Instead, he put the team first and has been brilliant in right.

Heading into Saturday, Eaton had the highest UZR (12.2) in baseball.

"Any time you're playing defense at the clip he is, it gives you a boost," said manager Robin Ventura, who won six Gold Gloves at third base during his playing days. "It helps pitchers. He's been doing a lot of things. He's been running down balls, the way he comes in, charges it, his throws have been great. Being able to hit the cutoff man, he's got a strong arm. I think it's been utilized better there, he just seems like he gets a better angle at things and comes up throwing and has better aim with it, too."

Eaton came out of the gates flying on the defensive end, and he led the major leagues with 13 runs saved in April.

"I don't think it's being comfortable," Eaton said. "You're never really comfortable on a big-league diamond. You have to perform, it doesn't matter where you're at. If you threw me at first (base), that would be really, really uncomfortable.

"Austin Jackson's done a great job, the organization did a great job for putting me in a position to be successful. And (outfield coach) Daryl Boston does a great job with scouting reports, making sure I'm in the right position. I think all credit goes to those guys."

Defensive dynamos

Major-league baseball's top teams in UZR (Ultimate Zone Ratings), according to FanGraphs. Through Friday:

CUBS...21.3

Rangers...17.6

Angels...10.3

Royals...9.6

Marlins...9.0

Indians...8.8

WHITE SOX...4.8