Versatility the key for Bourgeois
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The White Sox might not have a bumper crop of talent in their farm system, but they do have an intriguing position player who bears watching.
At first glance, he looks like a dead ringer for former second baseman Ray Durham. He also has a similar style of play, but Jason Bourgeois continues making a name for himself in the Sox' training camp.
"I want to show (manager) Ozzie (Guillen) and everybody here that I can play and be an asset to the team,'' Bourgeois said. "I'm here in camp, and my goal is to get to the big leagues and hopefully stay there.''
Bourgeois is a longshot to make the White Sox' 25-man roster this spring. His natural position is second base, where Alexei Ramirez, Pablo Ozuna, Juan Uribe and Danny Richar are vying for playing time.
Bourgeois can also play center field, but Jerry Owens, Nick Swisher and Brian Anderson are blocking his path.
To make himself more attractive to the White Sox, the 26-year-old Bourgeois is also learning to play left field, shortstop and third base.
"For the past few years, I've been out there moving around and adjusting to all of the different positions,'' said Bourgeois, a Houston native. "I started playing center field when I was in Double-A ball, and I played there a lot this winter in Mexico. The more I can do, the better off I'll be.''
Claimed off waivers by the White Sox before last season after spending time in the minor leagues with the Rangers, Mariners and Braves, Bourgeois combined to hit .308 last year with Class AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte. He also led all Sox farmhands with 38 stolen bases.
Catcher Donny Lucy played with Bourgeois at Charlotte in 2007 and was impressed with the total package.
"He's a (heck) of a player and a tremendous teammate,'' Lucy said. "He's a gamer. He goes all out every single day and you know what you're going to get from him. A guy like that, you want to see him get a shot. When he does, I'm sure he'll thrive.''
Bourgeois is making the most of his shot this spring. Even though the right-hander went 0-for-3 in Friday's split-squad loss to the Diamondbacks, Bourgeois is still batting .421 in the Cactus League.
"He's getting an opportunity to play and show what he can do,'' said White Sox bench coach Joey Cora.
That's all Bourgeois is asking for.
"I was able to put it all together last year and that helped my confidence,'' said Bourgeois, originally a second-round draft pick by Texas in 2000. "I learned my game, learned to trust in it. I just want to carry it over into this year.''
Bourgeois has a game that is ideal for what the White Sox are trying to do this season.
"It's just the small things,'' he said. "Getting guys over, stealing bags, going first to third. I also try to set up the guys in the 3-4 holes and score runs.''
Bourgeois is likely to open the season at Charlotte, but he's only a phone call away from the big leagues.
"I like the way he plays,'' Guillen said. "He's got a lot of speed and can play center field and other positions. I like those types of players.''