After whirlwind year, Sox see a future for Hudson

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Daniel Hudson is in a new clubhouse again, so he probably feels right at home.

Talk about a vagabond existence, the 22-year-old pitcher never really knew if he was coming or going last season.

"It was a little different," Hudson said.

Preparing to report to the White Sox' minor-league camp at this time a year ago, Hudson wasn't exactly buoyed with expectations.

"I had zero expectations going into last season," Hudson said. "I just wanted to go out there and throw as well as I could and give them a reason to promote me. I guess I did. I definitely surprised myself."

Selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft after a pitching at Old Dominion University, Hudson started his first full pro season at Class A Kannapolis.

From there, the right-hander was promoted to A Winston-Salem, AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte.

When he was called up by the White Sox on Sept. 3, Hudson was a combined 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 1471/3 minor-league innings.

"He's got a good arm," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "And he's not afraid to be out there."

Completing his whirlwind tour with 6 appearances (2 starts) for the Sox, Hudson held his own, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA.

Not too bad for a guy who wasn't even on the Sox' 40-man roster last spring.

"I thought about it a little bit, but you can't really think about the past too much," Hudson said. "You know, one year's not going to set you for your career. You have to move forward and that's what I tried to do this off-season. I patted myself on the back a little bit and then kicked myself in the butt."

While Hudson should be proud of his debut season, it wasn't all easy.

"I think the most difficult part was moving locker rooms so many times," Hudson said. "Getting to know the catchers and then moving up to the next one and telling the catcher what I like to do and stuff like that, it was difficult. But everybody in the organization was great and accepted me."

Envisioned as a future starter with the Sox, Hudson's best bet to make the 25-man roster this spring is as a long reliever.

"I feel like I can handle both jobs," said Hudson, who allowed 4 earned runs over 72/3 innings in 4 relief outings for the White Sox. "I don't have a preference at all. If they want me to start, Triple-A or whatever, I'll start at Triple-A. If they want me to be the long man, I'll be the long man."