Power-hitting Palka looks to make lasting impact with White Sox
Looking ahead, the Chicago White Sox are counting on highly regarded prospects like Eloy Jimenez, Michael Kopech, Luis Robert and Blake Rutherford to join Yoan Moncada, Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito and form a formidable baseball team.
Aware that nothing is guaranteed despite all of the glowing ratings from publications like Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, the Sox are also counting on an unheralded prospect to break through from time and stake a claim for the future.
Last year, Nicky Delmonico fit that description. Joining the White Sox from Class AAA Charlotte on Aug. 1, the left fielder set a franchise record by reaching base safely in his first major-league games.
Delmonico played 43 games and posted a solid .262/.373/.482 hitting line with 9 home runs and 23 RBI.
Getting his shot to play two days after Melky Cabrera was traded to Kansas City, Delmonico showed he can be a possible fit with the Sox moving forward.
This year, it's Daniel Palka's turn.
When White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia landed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a strained right hamstring, Palka was summoned from Charlotte to take his roster spot.
The 26-year-old outfielder didn't play in the Sox's 1-0 loss to the Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field, but he'll gladly wait to make his major-league debut.
"Everything is opportunity in this game," Palka said. "I felt like I got off to a good start here and the opportunity came early. I'm happy about it."
Claimed off waivers from the Twins in early November, the 26-year-old Palka was Minnesota's No. 9 prospect heading into last season.
A left-handed power hitter, Palka had 11 home runs in 84 games for Triple-A Rochester. On the negative side, he struck out 80 times in 332 at-bats and missed five weeks with a fractured hand.
Palka had 3 homers in 17 games with Charlotte this season and he's cleared the fences 109 times in 555 minor-leagues games. He's also struck out 642 times in 2,134 at-bats.
"My game is pretty obvious to most," said Palka, the Diamondbacks' third-round draft pick in 2013. "It's going to be my bat."
During his six seasons in the minor leagues, Palka has played all three outfield spots, first base and even one game at second.
Palka was batting .286 at Charlotte when the White Sox called.
"I'm sure we'll try to integrate him as quick as we possibly can, use him in the outfield, pinch-hitting, maybe DHing on a particular day," manager Rick Renteria said. "We'll try to take advantage of what he brings to the table. We also want to find out what he's going to be able to do here. He obviously comes with a lot of power, maybe we can take advantage of that a little bit."