White Sox’ Mitchell tearing it up on the farm
Before Friday’s home opener against the Tigers, general manager Kenny Williams blamed himself for doing a poor job of talking up top prospects in the White Sox’ minor-league system.
“I’m just reticent to spout off about our minor-league players and promote them in that fashion,” Williams said. “Our focus is here. Let them develop without fanfare and very quietly.”
One player — Jared Mitchell — is deserving of some early attention on the farm.
Mitchell, the Sox’ first-round draft pick in 2009 after starring in baseball and football at LSU, missed the entire ’10 season with a torn tendon in his left ankle. Last year, the 23-year-old center fielder batted .222 at Class A Winston-Salem and struck out 183 times in 477 at-bats.
“Just play more, I’ve got to keep playing,” Mitchell said during spring training. “The more you play the more you figure things out. I’m not going to sit here and beat myself up over it (strikeouts). I’m just trying to keep getting better every day.”
Mitchell is playing for AA Birmingham this season, and he’s off to a torrid start.
Heading into Monday night’s game at Chattanooga, Mitchell was 7-for-11 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 stolen bases and 5 walks over his last four games.
The surge raised his batting average to .343.