Willy Garcia gets another shot to show Chicago White Sox he belongs
Until top prospects such as Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Blake Rutherford arrive, likely sometime in 2019 or '20, the Chicago White Sox are going to need outfielders.
"You look at the (low Class A) Kannapolis and (high A) Winston-Salem rosters, you do see a high amount of our higher level, higher pedigree, higher regarded prospects on those two rosters," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "So there is going to be, perhaps, a couple of years gap or an 18-month gap before you start seeing the effects of those rosters in Chicago.
"The result is there will be a chance for certain guys to establish themselves, show that they're part of what we're trying to build for the long term. I love the idea of us, potentially down the road, having to make difficult choices between a guy who's performed very well at the big-league level and a top-tier prospect who's forcing the issue. That's a good problem to have."
Willy Garcia rejoined the White Sox's 25-man roster from Class AAA Charlotte on Thursday, replacing the injured Avisail Garcia (thumb).
This is Willy Garcia's third stint with the Sox this season, and he's trying to make it permanent.
"I don't know about all the things that the team has to handle," Garcia said through a translator. "The only thing I can control is to perform at my best every time the manager calls me into the game. That's where my focus is right now."
Garcia started against the Cubs on Thursday night and had a big third inning.
In the top half, he made a nice running catch in right field to take away extra bases from Kris Bryant. Garcia led off the bottom of the third with a home run off Jon Lester to give the Sox the early lead.
Dream come true:
The White Sox needed a new relief pitcher after trading Dan Jennings on Thursday, and Aaron Bummer was floored after getting the call from Triple-A.
"I was getting food last night in Charlotte, and (pitching coach) Steve McCatty came over and grabbed me, took me out of the food line into our manager's office," Bummer said. "He told me what was happening and I just sat there with a dumbfounded smile on my face, not really knowing what to expect, just spitting out gibberish.
"It's a moment I'll never forget. I thank the White Sox and everybody for this opportunity."
Bummer, who has never pitched in the major leagues, made 20 combined appearances (1 start) with AA Birmingham and Charlotte this season. The 23-year-old lefty was 1-3 with a 2.84 ERA.
Quintana grateful:
Traded to the Cubs on July 13, Jose Quintana didn't pitch against the Sox in the four-game interleague series.
Quintana did get a video tribute and standing ovation Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. As usual, he was humbled by the attention.
"It was exciting," Quintana said. "I almost cried. It was a surprise for me, and I appreciate the organization giving me that. It was a good time for me and thank you, fans, I appreciate everything they did for me."