First impressions from White Sox camp
GLENDALE, Ariz. — They haven’t played an exhibition game yet, not even an intrasquad game.
It’s still early, no doubt about that. But enough time has passed in spring training to serve up some first impressions of the White Sox:
Konerko reaction:Paul Konerko stirred up camp Tuesday by proclaiming the Sox can be successful this season without making the playoffs.Besides removing what little pressure was on the White Sox, Konerko made a valid point.Basically, the Sox will be collectively better off in 2013 and farther down the road if young players such as Gordon Beckham, Dayan Viciedo, Brent Morel, Addison Reed and possibly Nestor Molina have big individual seasons.Later Tuesday, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf spoke to Comcast SportsNet about Konerko#146;s statement. Interesting media outlet choice, considering the White Sox are part owners of the cable station.#147;Don#146;t write us off,#148; Reinsdorf said. #147;Nobody thought we#146;d win the World Series in 2005, but we did. There are years when we think we#146;re great and we#146;re bad. I mean, the funny thing about this game is that you can#146;t figure it out.#148;Rating Robin:New White Sox manager Robin Ventura is no Ozzie Guillen when it comes to dealing with the media.Then again, Guillen has no peers in baseball, and possibly all of pro sports, in front of notebooks and cameras.It sure is quiet in White Sox camp, but Ventura is going to be just fine.He is driven, arriving at Camelback Ranch each day at 5:30 a.m. He is organized. He is respected. And Ventura has a solid staff of new coaches and holdovers such as Don Cooper, Harold Baines, Juan Nieves and Fremd High School grad Mike Gellinger, who does a little bit of everything.Bench press:Some baseball people would jokingly call diminutive former bench coach Joey Cora #147;the jockey.#148;New bench coach Mark Parent? How about #147;the horse?#148;Parent, a major-league catcher for 13 seasons, stands 6-feet-5 and weighs in at least 250 pounds.Parent is an intimidating presence, and he already has the attention of Sox players. They would be wise to listen to Ventura.#147;I am sure he will get his points across pretty quick,#148; reliever Matt Thornton said. #147;If (Ventura) doesn#146;t take care of it, I#146;m sure Mark Parent will be right behind to slap you upside the head. Not many people in here are willing to take that challenge.#148;Gut feelings:Gordon Beckham is young, handsome, outgoing, and he#146;s got some money in his pocket.Like most players in his situation, Beckham has to learn to take care of himself away from the field. Realizing he#146;s at a serious crossroad after back-to-back disappointing seasons, Beckham insists he has his act together.Look for him to play more like he did in college at Georgia and during his rookie season than he did in 2010-11.ŸLeave it to Jake Peavy to suffer the first #147;injury#148; of spring training.Peavy had an eye infection late last week because he #147;slept on it wrong,#148; according to Robin Ventura.Peavy is as healthy as he#146;s going to get, but I would be surprised if he wins 10 games and/or reaches 200 innings.Manto#146;s a hit:Everyone in camp is working hard, especially hitting coach Jeff Manto.Like former hitting coach Greg Walker, Manto is a good-natured sort and he puts in the time with his players.I like the way Manto has been giving two key players #8212; Adam Dunn and Alex Rios #8212; extra work in the cage.Mitchell report:Don#146;t pull the plug on former top prospect Jared Mitchell just yet.Yes, the former star wide receiver at LSU batted .222 and struck out 183 times in 477 at-bats last year at Class A Winston-Salem.Mitchell reported to camp motivated and in great shape, and you have to cut him some slack.He missed all of 2010 with a serious ankle injury, and last year was the first time he played just baseball for a full season.I have a feeling Mitchell starts tearing it up in the minor leagues this season, and he will come into camp next spring fighting for a job on the White Sox#146; 25-man roster.Seeing stars:Let#146;s say the White Sox are around the .500 mark at the break and only get the required one player to the All-Star Game. My pick is Chris Sale.Williams watch:Kudos to GM Kenny Williams for keeping a low profile so far.Yes, he has done several interviews, but only after being asked. Williams wants the attention on Ventura and the White Sox, which is where it should be.sgregor@dailyherald.com 25092813White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn has been spending extra time with new hitting coach Jeff Manto, right. Scot Gregor/sgregor@dailyherald.com BBA38112659Chicago White Soxs Paul Konerko, left, chats with Adam Dunn during a spring training baseball workout in Phoenix, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.Associated PressBBA