Finally healthy, Tilson believes he can help Chicago White Sox
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Charlie Tilson thought the worst was over.
Acquired by the Chicago White Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade for veteran relief pitcher Zach Duke on July 31, 2016, Tilson made his major-league debut two days later.
Talk about being on top of the world.
The New Trier High School product grew up a Sox fan, and there he was in the starting lineup against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Tilson got his first career hit in his first at-bat, making the day even more memorable.
But the bottom fell out in the fifth inning, when the speedy center fielder tried making a diving catch and wound up tearing his left hamstring.
"One day I'm playing in my first major-league game," Tilson said. "A few days later, I'm dropping my pants in my parents' basement so my mom can take pictures of the stitches from the surgery and send them to the doctors to make sure they looked good. Pretty tough to deal with that."
Tough indeed, but the affable outfielder was back in high spirits last spring when he reported to the White Sox's training camp.
"It's going to be so exciting and just a ton of fun," Tilson said at the time.
A few days later, the bottom fell out - again.
Tilson was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right foot, and he missed the rest of spring training.
Four months later, Tilson dropped to rock bottom. After recovering from the foot injury, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right ankle and ruled out for the rest of the season.
"It's been tough," a healthy Tilson said before hitting the practice fields Saturday morning at Camelback Ranch.
Looking back, Tilson was so anxious to play for the White Sox last season, he pushed the injured left hamstring too hard and wound up with right foot and ankle fractures.
"Regardless of how severe the (hamstring) injury was, your sights are on Opening Day," Tilson said. "I just got this taste of what it's like to play in the big leagues and I wasn't going to take no for an answer. I think that was part of the learning curve for me, learning to be honest with myself.
"Obviously, we push and we try to get back and we want to be there for the team. But you've got listen to your body along the way. I need my speed to be a valuable asset in this game. I fully understand that now and I've definitely learned and gained from it."
Tilson is rusty after missing all of last season, but he was healthy enough to play four games in the Instructional League and nine more in the Arizona Fall League.
"That means a ton," Tilson said. "Just getting the feeling back. In the cage, you can't mimic the competition factor, being down in the count 0-2 and kind of scrapping and trusting your instincts. The Instructional League was great, and then getting into the Fall League, that was an even bigger step.
"I think the most important thing I took away from it is feeling what game speed is like again. Being absent from the game that long can be challenging, but to get an idea of working going into this spring, it was huge for me.
"I felt like I was really able to attack what I needed to."
Missing a full season has dropped Tilson down the Sox's depth chart, but one coach said he's the player to watch in White Sox camp this spring.
Adam Engel is the starter in center field, but look for Tilson to make a strong push during Cactus League play or sometime during the regular season.
"I'm here to soak in as much information as I can from this coaching staff, take advantage of each day," Tilson said. "I really believe in my tool set. I really believe I can be an impact player for this club. But, ultimately, (manager) Rick (Renteria) and the rest of the coaching staff will have the best idea about where I stand."
After coming up from Class AAA Charlotte in late May, Engel batted .166 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI in 97 games with the White Sox.
"Engel was an outstanding center fielder for us when he came up," Renteria said. "Everybody's looking for him to be able to turn on the offense a little bit more. (Tilson), we need to make sure he's OK. It's a multi-dynamic situation we're in. We're not going to sell anybody short."