Saladino trying to show Chicago White Sox he has staying power
Evaluating young players by their September performance can be dangerous.
Remember Brent Morel?
In 2011, Morel was trying to show the Chicago White Sox he was capable of being their starting third baseman for the foreseeable future.
Through the first five months of the season, Morel was so-so at best. But he finished with a flourish, hitting 8 home runs and driving in 19 runs over 26 September games and was in the Sox's opening-day lineup the following year.
Six weeks into the 2012 season, Morel was saddled with a .177/.225/.195 hitting line. He was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte and was never again a factor for the White Sox.
Four years later, Tyler Saladino is trying to show the Sox he has staying power.
Like Morel, Saladino didn't show much offense over the first half of the season, slashing .250/.289/.411 at the all-star break.
With regular second baseman Brett Lawrie out of the lineup since July 21 with an unknown left-leg injury - and likely done for the season - the White Sox slid Saladino into the starting lineup and have been thrilled.
"It's possible," manager Robin Ventura said when asked if Saladino could be a regular for the Sox in 2017. "The value in him is that he is versatile. And just because he's versatile doesn't mean he couldn't play every day.
"You could still spot him all over the place and have him do it. If you're talking about just having him play one position, I don't know if you get the best out of him if you don't move him around.
"I think that has just as much value as a guy playing just one position. To be able to rest somebody, in an emergency if somebody gets hurt, you can move him around. I think that's ultimately where his biggest value is."
A natural shortstop, Saladino also is a strong defender at second base and third base. He can play first base and all three outfield positions if needed, so the versatility is valuable.
Saladino's bat always was the big question, but the 27-year-old infielder was slashing .305/.335/.427 in the second half heading into Tuesday night's game against Cleveland.
Whether he's in the everyday lineup or coming off the bench, Saladino said his approach stays the same.
"I never have gotten comfortable at one spot, and I don't think I want to be," Saladino said. "Whatever your job is, you're going to find a way to do the best you can at it.
"That's the approach I take to playing, no matter where it is."