White Sox likely to roll out multiple right fielders this season
As long as Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez stay healthy and keep hitting for power like they've been doing so far in spring training, the White Sox are going to have one of the better outfields in the American League.
While Robert has yet to play a full schedule due to COVID-19 truncating the 2020 season and a torn hip flexor causing him to miss over three months last year, the 24-year-old center fielder has managed to establish himself as one of the game's top all-around talents.
In left field, Jimenez hit 31 home runs in his rookie (2019) season and has also dealt with the pandemic and a serious injury last year.
"When those two guys came back (from injury last year), we were a different looking team," manager Tony La Russa said. "Much deeper lineup."
Had they opted to spend big, the Sox could have been three-deep in the outfield this season.
Nick Castellanos would have been a great fit in right field but the free agent signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Phillies two weeks ago.
Another option with proven power - Jorge Soler - recently signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Marlins.
Michael Conforto is still available, but there seems to be little or no interest on the White Sox's end.
La Russa hasn't been pushing for general manager Rick Hahn to add help in right field and he caught some heat earlier this week for saying those who want a new face "are probably not White Sox fans. White Sox fans know we have guys in this camp who can handle it."
Hahn did go outside camp for a right fielder Tuesday, acquiring Adam Haseley from Philadelphia in exchange for minor-league pitcher McKinley Moore, a low-rated prospect.
The 25-year-old Haseley was the Phillies' first-round draft pick in 2017 (No. 8 overall), but he was a disappointment while hitting .264/.322/.373 with 5 home runs and 39 RBI in 116 games over parts of the last three seasons.
"I think sometimes a change of scenery is good for players," Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi said. "Great kid. Works really hard. He was doing everything we asked of him. It might be good for him, he's going to get an opportunity there."
Haseley joins a group that includes Andrew Vaughn, Gavin Sheets, Leury Garcia and Adam Engel as candidates to man right field for the Sox.
Vaughn, a natural first baseman who spent most of his time covering for Jimenez in left field as a rookie last season, might not be ready for Opening Day after suffering a right hip pointer making a diving catch in right on Sunday.
"As soon as I dove, I landed on my hip," Vaughn told reporters Wednesday. "Thought I was fine. Got up, wiggled around a little bit, took that first step and it kind of gave out. My mind went to the worst thought. I'm up walking and I feel pretty good now."
Like Vaughn, Sheets is a first baseman that's just trying to find a place in the lineup.
As a rookie last season, Sheets hit .250/.324/.506 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 54 games while playing 13 in right field.
Engel was limited to 39 games last year due to hamstring and left shoulder injuries. He had the shoulder surgically repaired in November, the hamstrings are good and he's ready to go.
"I take the majority of my reps in right field when it comes to defensive stuff, but I do take reps everywhere just because that's the nature of where I'm at," Engel said. "I feel like I can contribute at all those positions. If Eloy or Luis need a day, I feel like I have the ability to play those other positions so I need to be ready for that.
"I feel like right field is where I'll get most of my playing time. But I'm ready for all of them."