Getz foresees changes following scouting shake-up

CLEVELAND — Chris Getz noticed how Monday’s flight to Cleveland differed from trips in recent years.

“Needless to say, we’ve come a long way,” the Chicago White Sox general manager said Monday afternoon at Progressive Field. “It’s been an exciting year for a lot of different reasons. What an opportunity for these guys to go out there and compete with the Guardians and see where it goes from there.”

The Sox entered Monday’s crucial series in first place in the American League Central, a half-game ahead of the Guardians. But they’ve been going through a tough stretch, losing five of six and 10 of 14 coming into the series.

“As a whole, it’s been a team that’s been so resilient,” Getz said. “Just when you think that perhaps they’re going to be down and it’s going to take a while to get out of it, they always bounce back.

“And I know we’re kind of going through it a little bit right now and the stakes are high. But you look at the reasons why we wouldn’t come out of it, and they’re minimal, they really are. Obviously there’s the pressure component of what’s at stake. You’re this late in the season, so you’ve played so many games. But it’s a group that continues to really work and compete and keep a very positive vibe amongst each other.”

Getz continued: “Just kind of assessing the last week or so, it’s been a little disconnected in regard to whether it be that you’re hitting well, but you’re not pitching well. Pitching well and not hitting well. And at this point, we hope that we can realign it and get back to what we’ve been doing.”

In a wide-ranging session with reporters, Getz also addressed what’s ahead for the amateur scouting position following director Mike Shirley’s resignation on Saturday.

“Not just the amateur scouting front, but just the player-evaluation process, we’re looking at a lot of different ways,” Getz said. “We’ve been doing that for a while. Not just a clear restructure, just a different way of conducting business on that front. In the meantime, we’re not going with an interim. We’re going to map out where we see the future is on the scouting front in all areas.

“And then once that’s mapped out, we’ll figure out what the needs are for the organization and if that means that you’re going outside of the organization, so be it. But it starts with having a strong understanding of what we want this to look like and function.”

The Athletic reported on Saturday evening that Shirley had been under investigation for allegedly making racist and sexist comments about and in front of co-workers. The Sox declined to comment on personnel matters.

Asked if the change at the director’s role influenced the reassessment of the player-evaluation process, Getz said: “We’ve been looking at ways to improve the scouting process in all areas for some time now. We’re going to stay at that. In regard to leadership, we need to figure out what we want out of each of these positions. And what truly are we working toward.”

That process is ongoing. More immediately, the club is hoping to take steps to rebound during this playoff push.

Getz said keys included, “The early innings, minimizing runs on the board from their end and getting early leads and holding those leads as well.”

He pointed to base running and defense, and noted that the team’s bullpen was in a good spot entering Monday.

“We’ve got different weapons, different ways to attack the Guardians with the arms that we have,” Getz said. “And then offensively, not just relying on the big inning. Trying to find ways to manufacture runs. And that starts with having quality at-bats. And hopefully we’ve got the depth of our lineup that can provide those quality at-bats to make it hard on the starter or any pitcher that’s in there. So that’s what we’re hoping for, that’s what we’re looking for.

“We’re clearly capable of doing it. It would be great if now is the time.”

Getz said “a high level of fearlessness” has carried the Sox to this point of the season.

“I don’t want to say they’re immune from feeling the pressure,” Getz said. “It’s just that they’ve responded well with pressure and they think that they can beat anyone.

“Obviously when you’re in this part of the schedule and we have what we have at stake, maybe it’s a little bit different of a feeling. But it’s our job to support these guys and to remind them what got us here and get them back to playing with the freedom that we know they’re capable of playing with.”