White Sox' Brian Anderson trying to improve hitting

Brian Anderson hopes spring training will be the start of a breakthrough year at the plate. If it isn't, the White Sox have other options in center field.

Anderson is in a familiar position in trying to lock down the starter's job. This year's competitors are Jerry Owens and DeWayne Wise.

"I think the last two years, the Sox have presented the same scenario. They bring in an abundance of outfielders and have everybody battle for one or two spots," Anderson said Tuesday in Glendale, Ariz.

Anderson, 27, is considered one of the game's best defensive outfielders.

"It's instinctive and feels really natural out there," he said.

The downside: a career .221 average in 597 at bats for the White Sox since 2005.

"I haven't proven myself at the major-league level," he said. "The only thing that bothers me is people judge me and say, 'He's never going to be a good hitter.' But as long as you're playing the game, you can improve."

He could be the team's fourth outfielder if he fails to win the center fielder's job. Anderson said he is working on having consistent high quality at-bats, especially at the start of games where he struggled last year. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he hopes Anderson can blossom.

"That would make my job easier," he said.

Richard starts today: Clayton Richard is set to start today's White Sox spring opener against the California Angels at Tempe, Ariz. He's scheduled to be followed by Octavio Dotel, Matt Thornton (who will soon depart to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic), non-roster invitee Randy Williams, Jon Link, Lucas Harrell, Brad Salmon and Ehren Wassermann.

Soto's schedule shifts to WBC: Geovany Soto will catch two games with the Cubs before leaving to join Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He will be in today's opener against the Dodgers and probably catch four or five innings. Ted Lilly, who plans to pitch for Team USA, will throw for the Cubs in their third exhibition game Friday.

30-plus steals for Soriano? Cubs manager Lou Piniella, noting how great Alfonso Soriano looks after working out in the Dominican Republic in January, said 30-plus steals would be a reasonable expectation for Soriano, who had 19 stolen bases in each of the last two years.