Danks brothers hoping to be together on White Sox' roster together soon

Posted February 26, 2010 10:00 pm

Scot Gregor

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Danks family's athletic prowess took root in Texas and will soon be in full bloom on the South Side of Chicago.

"I was telling John, 'I traded for you and you're the fifth-best athlete in your family,' " said White Sox general manager Kenny Williams.

He was joking, but only to a point.

John Danks Sr. played four years of basketball at the University of Texas. Emily Danks is a standout freshman volleyball player at Ohio State.

Then there's Jordan Danks, the No. 5 prospect in the Sox' minor-league system.

"Jordan's always been a better hitter than me," said John Danks, the White Sox' 24-year-old starting pitcher. "He's a better athlete as far as quickness, jumping in basketball, whatever. But you know what? Thankfully I was blessed with a left arm."

Maximizing his athletic gift, John has quickly established himself as one of the top young starters in the American League after joining the Sox in a Dec. 23, 2006, trade from the Texas Rangers for Brandon McCarthy.

Jordan Danks is an outfielder, and at 6-feet-4 he is a couple of inches taller than his older brother. He is a nonroster invitee this spring after combining to hit .266 with 23 doubles, 9 home runs, 41 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 103 games with Class A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham last season.

Checking into training camp late last week, Jordan sits across the clubhouse from John.

"It's a lot of fun," Jordan said. "I haven't played with him since high school. We grew up playing together. Just to be on the same major-league roster would be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to it."

Being in major-league camp for the first time can be an intimidating experience, and that's where John comes in.

"I'm just going to be here to try to help him along the way with whatever he needs," John said. "I'm not going to sit here and monitor everything he does. But at the same time, I'm going to be here for him, without a doubt. If Jordan has a question or Jordan needs something, I'm going to definitely be a guy he can come to.

"Jordan's a big boy and he knows what he needs to get done. Hopefully he makes the team this year."

If Jordan does, he would join John as the first brother duo to play for the White Sox since 2004, when second baseman Roberto Alomar and catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. were on the roster.

"It's definitely something that's pretty sweet to think about," John said. "Hopefully it's something that happens during the season, Jordan's a big boy; Jordan's a (heck) of a player. I hope he comes in here and makes some good impressions."

Jordan, selected by the Sox on the seventh round of the 2008 draft following a standout collegiate career at Texas, batted .322 at Winston-Salem last year and was promoted to Birmingham.

While checking his swing in a June game with the Barons, he tore some cartilage in his right wrist and also suffered a thumb injury while his batting average dipped to .243.

Jordan was healthy when he reported to the Arizona Fall League at season's end, and it showed as the left-hander batted .343 for the Peoria Javelinas.

"It was a lot of fun and we won the whole thing," Jordan said. "My wrist feels great."

Joining the White Sox and playing with his brother would feel even better.

"We live together in the off-season (in Austin) and we talk during the year," Jordan said. "We're really close. Getting up here is something that's always in the back of my mind and hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.

"That's the ultimate goal, to get up here with the big club. To be teammates with my brother on a major-league roster, it sounds cliché, but it would be a dream come true."

Jordan Danks Associated Press

Brother act

Brothers who have played for the White Sox:

Roberto and Sandy Jr. Alomar: 2003-04

Jeff and Danny Darwin: 1997

Dick and Hank Allen: 1972-73

Homer and Ted Blankenship: 1922-23