For White Sox, young guns are smokin’ hot
In late February, Paul Konerko reported to the White Sox’ spring training camp and promptly surrendered.
He really didn’t — if you listened closely to the entire dissertation — but Konerko caught some heat for saying the following:
“I think with a lot of the young guys we have, you have to throw that into the equation that if we don’t make the playoffs, but if we do all right and go out and compete well and you look at the end of the year and (Brent) Morel had a really good year and (Gordon) Beckham’s had a good year, and Addison Reed, those are all good signs that it’s moving in the right direction so that, in my mind, the season can be a success.”
Before, and after, basically saying the Sox would be in good shape if the young talent developed while the team failed, Konerko insisted making the playoffs was still the No. 1 goal.
“I’m not conceding anything,” the White Sox’ captain said at the start of camp. “In today’s game, especially now there’s another wild-card spot, there are all kinds of different things that are available to make the playoffs and there seems to be more parity.”
One-third of the regular season is in the books and — believe it or not — the Detroit Tigers have not run away from the AL Central pack and clinched the division.
As a matter of fact, the Tigers are still stumbling along under .500 while looking more and more like the 2011 Sox.
As for the 2012 White Sox, it has been win-win.
Heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox (31-23) are leading the Central. With 14 wins in their last 16 games, they are also the hottest team in baseball.
As for the young guys, there’s a lot to like there as well.
“We have a lot of young guys, so it’s been great to see a lot of those guys coming into their own,” Konerko said over the weekend. “We’re really kind of killing two birds with one stone. We’re winning some games and we’re competing, but let’s just say that went away. Well, we’ve got some guys in the bullpen and some guys in the lineup now that are turning into some pretty good big leaguers, and that’s not bad either.
“It’s nice when you get the wins, but everybody comes in here every day just to get better as a player. Even the old guys are doing the same thing. It’s just a matter of keep doing that the next four months, which is easier said than done. But that’s the goal.”
As for the Sox’ young guys, we’ll throw Morel and his .177 batting average out of the equation since he has been playing with back pain since spring training and is currently rehabbing the injury at Class AAA Charlotte.
There are a host of other young White Sox players that are developing — and winning — at the same time.
In the regular lineup, Beckham is back to playing like he did as a 21-year-old at the University of Georgia. That’s a good thing.
Left fielder Dayan Viciedo is hitting with power and already showing he has one of the best throwing arms in baseball.
Center fielder Alejandro De Aza is 28, but this is his first full season as a major-league starter. If you’re wondering why it took De Aza so long to arrive, check out his injury history in the minor leagues: five stints on the disabled list in five seasons.
On the pitching staff, starter Chris Sale is probably your American League Cy Young Award winner at this early stage of the season. The left-hander leads the league in ERA (2.30), is tied for the lead with 7 wins, is fourth with a 0.98 WHIP and is seventh with 69 strikeouts.
Reed, who quickly emerged as the team’s closer, is 7-for-7 in save chances.
Nate Jones, who came from out of nowhere in spring training to earn a roster spot, occasionally hits 100 mph and would be closing for a lot of major-league teams.
Hector Santiago got off to a shaky start as the White Sox’ closer in April, but the left-hander has settled in and been impressive as a middle reliever.
While the Sox have plenty of veterans such as Konerko, Jake Peavy, Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski, they’ve offered steady encouragement to the younger players and helped them blend in.
“We’re excited,” Beckham said. “We’re playing good baseball and we’re picking each other up, and I think that’s really important. Everybody’s pulling for one another and that often gets overlooked in big-league sports.
“We all want everybody to do really well. Right now we’re on a good roll.”
sgregor@dailyherald.com
Young guns for Sox
The White Sox have plenty of veterans on the roster, but many of their young players have been making positive contributions. Scot Gregor provides a closer look at the youthful talent:
Gordon Beckham: 25 years, 8 months, and 20 days After a rough start, the second baseman has a 10-game hitting streak, batting .340 with a double, 3 home runs, 7 RBI and 9 runs scored over the stretch.
Alejandro De Aza: 28 years, 1 month, and 25 days The center fielder is batting .352 with a triple, home run and 12 RBI over his last 13 games. Tied for the AL lead with 13 stolen bases (through Sunday).
Nate Jones: 26 years, 4 months, 8 days The right-handed reliever is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in 19 relief appearances for the White Sox. He has recorded 28 strikeouts in 28 innings this season.
Addison Reed: 23 years, 5 months, and 7 days The right-handed closer has converted all 7 saves opportunities this season, and he has not been scored upon in 19 of 22 appearances for the Sox.
Chris Sale: 23 years, 2 months, and 3 days The left-handed starter has found his place, and he leads the American League with a 2.30 ERA on the season. He is 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his last four starts.
Hector Santiago: 24 years, 5 months, and 19 days : Although he admittedly was shaky in the closers role, this left-hander is contributing in middle relief and has allowed just 1 run in his last 9 innings.
Dayan Viciedo: 23 years, 2 months, and 23 days The left fielder started out slowly this season, but has hit his stride. He is batting .410 with 5 home runs, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored over his last 10 games.