Quentin not surprised by his early-season success
CLEVELAND -- He's one of the biggest surprises in baseball, and he entered Monday's game against the Indians leading the American League in home runs (14) while ranking second in RBI (43).
In spring training, Carlos Quentin was projected to put up those kinds of numbers -- maybe over a full season with Class AAA Charlotte.
In reality, the 25-year-old left fielder is lighting it up early for the White Sox. Still a relative unknown, Quentin garnered even more attention during Sunday night's 3-2 win over the Angels at U.S. Cellular Field.
In a nationally televised game, Quentin put the Sox in front with a 2-run homer off Los Angeles starter John Lackey.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder won it with another home run off Lackey.
"Quentin is Hulk Hogan. He's strong,'' Angels center fielder Torii Hunter told reporters afterward. "He has tremendous pop. I've never heard of him. We call it crazy pop and that's what he has. You've got to be crazy strong to hit 2 home runs with this wind.''
Not only is Quentin a powerful physical specimen, his surgically repaired left shoulder appears to be 100 percent healthy. Maybe the numbers do add up.
"You know what, I'm never going to be surprised by something, just because it's not my mentality as to how I approach this game,'' Quentin said on Monday. "I'm not going to be surprised about anything, and I say that in a humble way. I want to do well out there. I want to perform. I want to fulfill my potential. I'll do it whatever way it comes about.''
Quentin realizes fulfilling potential is much easier to do with two healthy shoulders.
Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, Quentin injured his shoulder during spring training. He played in 81 games for the D'backs, batting just .214 with 5 home runs and 31 RBI.
Quentin had surgery Oct. 9 to repair tears in his labrum and rotator cuff. On Dec. 3, he was traded to the White Sox for minor-league infielder Chris Carter.
"Do maintenance work on my shoulder every day just because I want it to be as strong as possible and I don't want anything to happen with it,'' Quentin said. "Shoulder injuries can be tricky things. Small injuries become big injuries on one swing. At the same time, doing that kind of thing puts my mind at ease knowing I did the extra work on the shoulder.''
Having a strong left shoulder has seemed to increase Quentin's power -- not that he's noticed.
"If homers happen, then they happen,'' Quentin said. "I just want to help the team win, that's the important thing.''