Getz gets his big shot starting today at White Sox opener
Chris Getz is thrilled to be on the White Sox' roster, and the 25-year-old second baseman can't wait to make his first opening-day start this afternoon against the Kansas City Royals.
"I think I can really have a successful year and help the team," Getz said. "As far as having goals, that's about it."
The Sox don't have any numerical expectations for Getz, although they wouldn't at all mind if the suburban Detroit native maintains the pace (.333, 1 home run, 11 RBI, .390 on-base percentage, team-high 4 stolen bases) he set in 24 Cactus League games. "What I see from Getz is pretty special," manager Ozzie Guillen said.
As he was beating out Jayson Nix, Brent Lillibridge and Gordon Beckham in spring training, Getz initially was being viewed as the Sox' No. 8 or 9 hitter.
But the left-handed swinger impressed Guillen and the rest of the coaching staff with his poise at the plate. So much so, in fact, that Getz is going to be hitting second today when the White Sox open the regular season at U.S. Cellular Field.
And should Dewayne Wise falter in the leadoff spot, Getz is expected to fill the role.
"My plan is to stay with the one we start (Wise)," Guillen said. "If that doesn't work the way we want, I'm not afraid to change lineups. I'm not. I don't have too much patience, either.
"I think (Getz) can lead off. I don't have any doubts. But batting him second, he can do a lot of things."
Since being selected by the White Sox in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, Getz has done a lot of great things in the minor leagues.
The 6-foot, 185-pounder batted .302 at Class AAA Charlotte last season, .299 at AA Birmingham in 2007 and a combined .307 in '06 with Advanced Rookie Great Falls and Class A Kannapolis.
Getz's only down year on the farm was in 2006, when he hit .256 at Birmingham.
"I think the minor-league staff here knows what I can do, and I started getting a look from the major-league staff last spring and this spring," Getz said. "I've kind of been around, and you'd like to think that works in your favor. But I guess you never know."
The White Sox have long had their eye on Getz. They drafted the second baseman out of high school (Grosse Pointe South), but Getz opted for college.
The Sox came calling again following Getz's junior year at the University of Michigan and finally got their guy.
"It's flattering that they drafted me twice," Getz said. "Now it's up to me to make the most of this opportunity and go out and help the team."
Starting today, Getz gets his chance.
White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Thursday; Channel 9 Wednesday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Mark Buehrle (15-12 in 2008) vs. Gil Meche (14-11) today at 1:05 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (17-8) vs. Zack Greinke (13-10) Wednesday at 7:11 p.m.; John Danks (12-9) vs. Kyle Davies (9-7) Thursday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: Buehrle makes his seventh opening day start for the White Sox, which will tie him with Billy Pierce for most in franchise history. Buehrle is 2-1 with a 4.07 ERA in season openers. The lefty is a career 19-8 (3.48 ERA) vs. Kansas City. Meche is a career 7-3 vs. the Sox. The Royals just might contend this season. They added CF Coco Crisp and 1B Mike Jacobs to a team that went 18-8 last September while finishing fourth in the AL Central, ahead of the Tigers. White Sox 1B Paul Konerko had a strong spring, batting .364 with 4 home runs and 13 RBI.
Next: Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Sunday
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