White Sox's Jimenez goes to bat for Trubisky, calling Bears QB a 'superstar'
If Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky is still feeling a little down after Thursday night's debacle against the Packers in the NFL season opener at Soldier Field, he should reach out to White Sox left fielder Eloy Jimenez.
Not only do they share the same city, Trubisky and Jimenez are both represented by Rep 1 Sports. They met at a company event at Bradenton, Fla., in February and became fast friends.
Jimenez hoped to be at the Bears-Packers game, but the Sox had to travel back from Cleveland Thursday after wrapping up a seven-game road trip.
"I was too tired," Jimenez said Friday before the White Sox played the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field. "I watched a little bit before I went to sleep."
A native of the Dominican Republic, Jimenez is still trying to figure out American football.
"I understand a little bit, but not too much," he said. "We don't watch football in the Dominican but I like it because it's an aggressive sport."
Jimenez knows enough about football to understand Trubisky had a miserable game. He has his friend's back.
"I say this kid is amazing," Jimenez said. "He's really nice, really humble and he's a superstar, no matter what happened (Thursday). He's a superstar.
"For guys who play sports, we know it's not easy. It can be the pressure. It can be emotions. It can be the first game, you want to show everybody you're really good. I'm not worried about him."
Jimenez never seems to worry about anything, and the Sox's 22-year-old rookie is heating back up as he nears the end of his debut season on the South Side.
On the White Sox's trip to Atlanta and Cleveland, Jimenez was 13-for-30 with 3 home runs and 4 RBI. His 24 homers on the season are the most among American League rookies.
"I'm really happy because this is my first year being part of this team," Jimenez said. "It's been amazing."
After signing a six-year, $43 million contract on March 22, Jimenez got off to a slow start in April as he adjusted to major-league pitching - the slider in particular.
Ankle and elbow injuries hampered his development, but Jimenez has always been upbeat and that's not going to change.
"It's who I am," he said. "I don't ever even think about it or try to change my personality. If I did, that wouldn't be me. I try to enjoy everything I do, every day."
Jimenez has played winter ball in the Dominican the last two years, and he played in the Arizona Fall League in 2016 when he was still in the Cubs' minor-league system.
This offseason, he's likely going to take a pass on more baseball games.
"I don't think I'm going to play winter ball," Jimenez said. "I think I'm going to work more on my body first and keep working on other stuff, like my outfield defense and hitting."
Looking ahead to next season, will this year's rookie experience allow Jimenez to take his game to an even higher level?
"Just wait," Jimenez said with a familiar wide smile. "You will see. You will see."