White Sox’ Quintana making a name for himself
The White Sox are sending a very good left-handed starting pitcher to the mound Sunday for the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
It’s not Chris Sale.
Jose Quintana gets the ball as the blossoming star makes his sixth start for the Sox since taking over for the injured John Danks.
While Sale has deservedly been getting nonstop attention, the 23-year-old Quintana quietly has been making a name for himself.
“He’s unique in his maturity and the stuff that he has and the way he pitches,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I think the more games he pitches, he’s gotten better. Nowadays with video and everything else, teams have a bit of a plan when they go up against him. It’s not like they have never seen him.
“Years ago you could go through the league without anybody really seeing you pitch. Now, you’ve been dissected enough that people have a pretty good idea what you’re doing. That’s what makes what he’s doing impressive.”
When you consider Quintana was pitching at Class A Tampa in the Yankees’ system last season, he’s even more impressive.
Signed by the White Sox as a free agent in November, Quintana has made the huge jump look easy.
“When I was first called up, my whole mindset was just to try to fight for a position,” Quintana said Saturday through a translator. “So I see it every time I go out there as kind of like a tryout. For the most part all I do is go out and pitch as well as I can.”
Quintana has pitched very well in his last 3 starts, allowing 3 earned runs in 19 innings.
Take a break:Alejandro De Aza got a rare day off Saturday, and Brent Lillibridge got the start in center field.De Aza had played in 69 of the White Sox#146; first 70 games, and he has 3 hits in his last 23 at-bats.#147;It#146;s good to get a day off, but it#146;s also good to get a day when there#146;s a game,#148; manager Robin Ventura said. #147;Even though we had a day off the other day (Thursday), it#146;s just better for him to get it during a game just for your mind.#148;