Sox prospects Robert, Collins come up big in minor-league debuts

The White Sox were off Thursday, but two of their top prospects were right on.

Playing in high Class A Winston-Salem's first game of the season, center fielder Luis Robert hit 2 home runs and had 5 RBI.

In AAA Charlotte's season opener, catcher Zack Collins hit 2 long homers, tripled and also drove in 5 runs.

Limited to 50 minor-league games in 2018 due to a left thumb injury, Robert failed to hit a home run all season.

Now that the thumb and his left wrist are feeling good, he should move quickly through the Sox's farm system. Robert joined the White Sox in May of 2017 after agreeing to a $26 million signing bonus.

"I was asked earlier this morning what's his ETA," general manager Rick Hahn said before Friday's home opener against Seattle. "He obviously had a pretty good night last night, so people are ready for him to be here next week. (Questions about Robert), they're difficult ones to answer.

"On one hand, from a tool set and talent standpoint, absolutely his tools are as strong as many at the big-league level already. However, from a rawness, repetition, staying healthy for an extended period of time, we haven't really addressed those issues just yet. He's a guy who last year had a lot of challenges, both with the multiple thumb injuries to essentially having a year, year-and-a-half layoff from the time he last played in Cuba to the time he was finally playing regularly in the States.

"There's a lot of rust involved in that, not to mention the transition to a new culture. I think we're going to be in a much better position to answer questions about time frame on Luis as the summer unfolds, and probably at the end of this season have a much firmer grasp."

Collins, the White Sox's first-round draft pick (No. 10 overall) in 2016, should reach the major leagues later this season.

"Not just because of the night he had (Thursday), but Zack Collins is someone who very reasonably will force the issue on us at some point over this summer," Hahn said.

Home debut:

Eloy Jimenez got some big applause when he was introduced at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time on Friday.

They continued throughout his first home game with the White Sox.

"I expected it was going to be good, but not that great," Jimenez said. "They supported me like I was here for a long time. It feels nice but at the same time, it surprised me."

The 22-year-old left fielder was 0-for-4 in the Sox's win over the Mariners, dropping his batting average to .167.

There is little doubt the prized prospect has been pressing in the early going.

"I was feeling good," Jimenez said. "Just a little bit rushed, but it's because of the first game at home. It's going to get better."

Jay update:

On the 10-day injured list with a right hip strain, new Sox outfielder Jon Jay said his ailment is more extensive.

"A little bit of everything," Jay said. "Just more and more groin area. It's all that connective area. Stayed back in Arizona for about a week, worked with the staff down there. Got some rest. Met with a lot of doctors over here but everything is progressing well. There's no timetable right now, just trying to get better every day. But it is getting a lot better."

Anderson back:

After missing both games in Cleveland earlier this week while on the Paternity List, shortstop Tim Anderson was back in the White Sox's lineup for the home opener.

Anderson and his wife, Bria, welcomed their second child, daughter Paxton, Monday in Chicago.

"She wasn't due until (April) 26th or 27th," Anderson said. "She came early, but healthy baby and healthy wife. Everybody's good."