Dayan Viciedo on the move again
Just when he was getting comfortable playing third base in the minor leagues, Dayan Viciedo was moved across the diamond to first.
And just when he was getting the hang of the new position, Viciedo was moved to right field last season at Class AAA Charlotte.
Pop quiz ... guess who's on the move again?
While it is not 100 percent official, look for Viciedo to be playing left field when the White Sox open the regular season at Texas on April 6.
It's not like Viciedo's subpar defensive play is going to bring the Sox down.
In recent seasons, Juan Pierre, Carlos Quentin and Scott Podsednik have patrolled left field for the White Sox, so Viciedo might actually wind up being an upgrade.
Defense is important, but the Sox are much more interested in Viciedo's offensive potential.
While he hasn't distinguished himself much during brief stints with the White Sox the past two seasons, Viciedo showed what he can do while batting .296 with 20 home runs and 78 RBI in 119 games with Class AAA Charlotte last year.
The former Cuban National League prodigy is getting his full-time shot with the Sox this season and is worth keeping a close eye on.
Can he hit?
If you judge Viciedo on his 206 career at-bats with the White Sox in 2010-11, the answer is a resounding maybe.
Viciedo was actually much better two years ago, when he hit .308 with 5 home runs and 13 RBI in 38 games.
Last season, when he replaced the injured Quentin in right field over the final month, Viciedo batted .255 with 1 home run and 6 RBI in 29 games.
Viciedo, who turns 23 on Saturday, went 2-for-3 with a homer and 3 RBI at Seattle on Aug. 28, his first game after coming up from Charlotte. But he didn't show much in September, batting .213 with no homers, 2 RBI and 22 strikeouts in 89 at-bats.
He has to adjust to a new position, but Viciedo arrived at training camp this spring determined to prove himself at the plate.
“I feel really good mentally and physically,” Viciedo said through an interpreter. “I'm excited for the season. For the most part, I did the same thing as last year. Preparation is just getting ready and hoping to have a different result this year.”
Can he take a pitch?
When Viciedo came up at the end of the 2010 season, former White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker compared him to a young Miguel Cabrera.
Letting the shocking praise sink in for a second, Walker did not change his mind. Rather, he talked about the work ethic and discipline at the plate Viciedo needed to develop to ever come close to living up to the comparison.
Two years ago, Viciedo drew 2 walks in 104 at-bats with the Sox. Last year, he upped the total to 9 walks in 102 at-bats.
Yes, he is a free swinger, but Viciedo needs to show much more patience in order to survive.
“I'm definitely being more selective,” Viciedo said in spring training. “It's coming with experience. It's coming along.”
Can he field?
Viciedo is not going to win a Gold Glove in left field — or right for that matter — but he should develop into a serviceable defender.
As a former third baseman, Viciedo has shown an ability to rifle throws from the outfield. Accuracy has been a problem, but he is still learning on the job.
At 5-feet-11, 230 pounds, Viciedo does not have the speed to get back or come in on flyballs, so he'll have to rely on positioning.
Again, he can't be much worse than Pierre, Quentin or Podsednik in left field.
Other options:
We seem to mention Brent Lillibridge as the backup at every position, and the trend continues in left field.
Lillibridge was better in right field last season, but he started 7 games in left and did not look out of place.
Kosuke Fukudome is the White Sox' primary reserve outfielder, but he is better in center and right.
sgregor@dailyherald.com
Tops in the AL
Scot Gregor ranks the left fielders
1. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
2. Alex Gordon, Royals
3. Desmond Jennings, Rays
11. Dayan Viciedo, WHITE SOX