White Sox's Davidson learning from past mistakes at plate

After drawing a paltry 19 walks last season in 443 plate appearances last season, Matt Davidson knew something had to change.

So the White Sox slugger got to work by - what else? - watching every single one of those at-bats in the off-season.

"Just saw the pitches I was swinging at, what the counts were," Davidson said, "and tried to put myself in that mindset of, 'What was I thinking at that pitch?' and not think that any more."

And the results are showing.

In 150 plate appearances before Friday's game against Texas, Davidson had already walked 23 times. One of those came with the bases loaded during the White Sox's 4-2 victory over the Rangers on Thursday. The free pass tied the game at 2-2, and Welington Castillo proceeded to hit a 2-run single that provided the winning runs.

In addition to watching video, Davidson also made sure to lay off of questionable pitches during off-season training. He continues to do the same during batting practice and pregame work.

"I tell (the pitchers), 'Hey, it's fine if you're throwing balls. It doesn't need to be right down the middle every single pitch,'" Davidson said.

Said Sox GM Rick Hahn: "Going from a 37-percent strikeout rate and a (4)-percent walk rate to significant, significant improvements in each of those categories at age 27 is really impressive. Now … the league's going to adjust; the league's going to challenge him over the course of the next few months, and he's going to have to maintain that level of discipline.

"But that is a substantial step forward and a necessity for a player like him to become valuable, and he's responded to that challenge."

Last season, Davidson hit .220 with a .260 on-base percentage, and had 26 home runs with 68 RBI. Through 40 games this season, Davidson was hitting .244 with a .367 OPB. He had 11 HRs and 25 RBI, which means he's on pace for 45 and 101.

Delmonico out 4-6 weeks:

Outfielder Nicky Delmonico fractured the third metacarpal on his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning of Friday's game against the Rangers. He will miss 4-6 weeks. Delmonico is hitting .224 with 1 HR and 7 RBI in 116 at-bats.

Farquhar in the house:

Danny Farquhar and his family made an appearance in the White Sox's clubhouse before Friday's game against the Rangers.

"He looks very very good - came in (and) brought some cookies," said manager Rick Renteria. "Brought some well wishes to us and some thank yous just for everybody reaching out to the family."

Farquhar suffered what is thought to be a life-threatening brain hemorrhage after a ruptured aneurysm in April. The 31-year-old is out for the season.

Asked if he'd sampled one of the cookies, Renteria deadpanned: "I'll end up passing by there and grabbing one or three."