Sox need to turn on the power
For years, the White Sox have been criticized for being too reliant on the long ball.
To a point, the jabs were fair and even hitting coach Greg Walker likened the White Sox' offense to a softball team at times.
The Sox often eschewed doing the little things like hitting the opposite way, bunting and executing the hit-and-run, but they usually scored plenty of runs by hitting the ball over the fence.
Currently, the White Sox' inability to hit home runs is becoming a concern.
In seven games since the all-star break, they have only 3 home runs and they all belong to right fielder Carlos Quentin.
That includes his 3-run shot at Cleveland on Friday night that decided the 3-0 outcome.
On Saturday night, the White Sox and Indians were rained out at Progressive Field. The game is scheduled to be made up when the Sox return to Cleveland in September.
Getting back to the White Sox' home run drought, let's not be too naive. Players are no longer on the “juice,” if you will, and baseball is a pitcher's game again.
But the Sox need to start hitting more home runs if they are going to catch the Tigers and Indians.
The White Sox have gone 13 games since they hit more than 1 homer in a game. That's the longest drought since 2002, when they went 16 games without a multihomer effort.
Heading into Saturday, the Sox ranked eighth in the American League with 92 home runs. In 2004, manager Ozzie Guillen's first season in the dugout, the White Sox hit 242 home runs, a club record.
Who is responsible for the power outage? The list is long:
Ÿ Adam Dunn. Coming into the season, Dunn hit 282 home runs since 2004, the second-highest total in baseball behind only Albert Pujols (294).
In 83 games this year, Dunn has 9 homers.
Ÿ Alex Rios. He hit 21 home runs last season. This year, Rios has 6, and his last blast was on June 19 at Arizona.
Ÿ Brent Morel. Third base is a power position, but Morel has not provided it. Not even close. He has 1 home run in 69 games.
Morel hit 3 home runs in 21 games last September after coming up from Class AAA Charlotte.
Ÿ Paul Konerko. Yes, he leads the Sox with 22 home runs, but Konerko appears to be worn out from carrying the offense for so long. His last homer was July 5.
Ÿ A.J. Pierzynski. With Dunn and Rios struggling so badly, Pierzynski's hit in the middle of the lineup for most of the season. He's never been known as a great power hitter, but his 3 home runs are a disappointment.
Ÿ Gordon Beckham. He's only hit 7 home runs, the last coming on June 30. In 2008, Beckham hit 28 home runs at the University of Georgia, a school record.
The numbers say the White Sox need to add another power hitter.
The obvious move is bringing up Dayan Viciedo from Class AAA Charlotte, considering the right fielder has 16 home runs in 95 games.
Don't hold your breath.
Viciedo's name came up again in Cleveland this weekend.
“If he's our savior, we're in (bleeping) trouble,” Guillen told reporters. “We're in deep (bleep). I like the guys we have.”
sgregor@dailyherald.com