advertisement

Four on the floor: Key White Sox bats that need to start heating up

If Tony La Russa remains White Sox manager, or if he goes, it really doesn't matter.

If the Sox jettison La Russa and replace him with Ozzie Guillen, Joe Girardi, A.J. Pierzynski, Joe Maddon or any other name out there, the biggest problem still needs to be fixed.

Managers - no matter who they are - can only win or lose a team so many games.

The White Sox have too many hitters who are still underperforming. If that continues, a season full of high expectations is going to fall flat.

The bats have been booming the past few games, a promising sign. But heading into Saturday's play the Sox ranked 27th out of 30 major-league teams in runs scored.

They were 27th in OPS, 25th in on-base percentage and 23rd in home runs.

Here are four White Sox hitters that need to pick it up:

Yasmani Grandal

Heading into Friday night's game against the Rangers, the veteran catcher was batting .167/.277/.214 with 2 home runs and 12 RBI. After going 2-for-3, the slash line improved to .175/.286/.228 and the RBI count rose to 15.

A small step, but a significant one for the Sox's most disappointing hitter.

Last July, Grandal tore a tendon in his right knee, had surgery and missed almost two months. He had another cleanup procedure in October.

The recovery has spilled over into this season, but Friday night's effort against Texas looked to be a sign Grandal is getting back to good health.

"I'm getting my feet underneath me and as soon as that happens, it's going to be full go," Grandal said after the White Sox beat Texas 8-3 Friday. "As soon as it happens, you'll be able to see it."

After leaving Saturday's game against the Rangers with a left hamstring issue, the Sox are hoping Grandal doesn't come to another full stop.

Yoan Moncada

Like Grandal, getting healthy enough to make an impact has been a major challenge.

Moncada started the season on the injured list with an oblique injury, missed the first month and is still trying to find a groove.

Heading into Saturday's play, the switch-hitting third baseman was in a 7-for-64 slump and last hit a home run on May 14.

"Moncada's got the talent to be a difference maker," La Russa said. "I think he's going to be. I think he's feeling good physically. I know the work he's doing with (hitting coach) Frank (Menechino), it's the right work and it's going to translate."

AJ Pollock

The outfielder had 3 hits and 2 RBI against the Dodgers Thursday and followed with 2 hits and another RBI vs. the Rangers on Friday.

Before that, Pollock was flailing along with a .217/.248/.349 hitting line. He should get more playing time in right field after Gavin Sheets was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte, and more of a chance to show he's the same hitter who slashed .297/.355/.536 with the Dodgers last year.

Josh Harrison

Much like Cesar Hernandez over the final two months of last season, Harrison has been nearly invisible at the plate.

Signed to play second base on a one-year, $5.5 million contract, Harrison is in danger of losing his job to Danny Mendick when shortstop Tim Anderson returns from a groin injury later this month.

In his first 39 games with the White Sox, Harrison hit .183/.258/.287 with no home runs and 5 RBI.

In 138 combined games with the Nationals and Athletics last season, he slashed .279/.341/.400 with 8 homers and 60 RBI.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.