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Kopech, Jimenez two big factors in Chicago White Sox's bright future

GLENDALE, Ariz. - There seems to be a dearth of baseball joy at the moment.

That's odd, inasmuch as the beginning of spring training is traditionally such a fun time of the season.

At training camps in Arizona and Florida, the atmosphere is light and loose on the fields and in the clubhouses. Back home, pitchers and catchers reporting is code for winter easing up on its grip.

This spring, there is growing labor tension as Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and nearly 100 other free agents still wait for jobs.

There is continued chatter about the need to fix a game that runs way too long and has way too little action.

There is too much tanking, and way too few teams that are complete from top to bottom.

With all of that in mind, don't toss this paper in the recycling bin and dump the rest of your coffee down the drain.

Eloy Jimenez is on the way this season, and he is going to bring immense talent and a needed jolt of energy to the Chicago White Sox and baseball.

"I look at him as the Babe Ruth of our generation," said Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech, who was teammates with Jimenez at Class AAA Charlotte last season. "He's going to be OK."

OK right back, that might be reaching a tad bit high in regards to a comparison for the White Sox's 22-year-old outfielder. Not to be outdone, Jimenez gave the love right back to Kopech.

"I think he is the Nolan Ryan," Jimenez said.

Recovering from Tommy John surgery and ruled out for the upcoming season, the talented Kopech has to wait until 2020 before seeing if he can live up the Ryan tag.

For Jimenez, his time is now. Well, almost.

Getting back to the bummer side of baseball, Jimenez isn't expected to join the Sox until late April due to a service-time issue.

If he came up late last season or comes up too early this year, Jimenez would be eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.

Like many teams, the White Sox are taking advantage of a system that was collectively bargained and expected to keep Jimenez down at Charlotte for a few weeks to get another year of contractual control.

Of course, the Sox are never going to come out and admit it.

"He is going to be, in our opinion, a tremendous player for the Chicago White Sox for a long time," general manager Rick Hahn said. "We all think he's going to make a significant impact on the field for this team this year and spend the bulk, if not all, the season in Chicago. When exactly that time starts remains to be seen."

The time can't arrive soon enough for a Sox team that lost 100 games last year and hasn't had a winning season since 2012.

At Camelback Ranch on Saturday, Jimenez admitted he was disappointed last season when he didn't get the call from the White Sox.

"That was last year," he said. "I'm ready. I always say I'm ready."

When he does arrive in April, Jimenez is expected to become the Sox's best young hitter since Frank Thomas.

A consensus Top 5 overall prospect, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder combined to bat .337/.384/.577 with 22 home runs and 75 RBI in 108 games with Charlotte and AA Birmingham last season.

"I don't know if I'd try to get him out," Kopech said. "I'd just try to get him off the plate. I've seen that guy hit about everything as far as anyone can hit it, so I don't know if there's a pitch you could get by him.

"Very smart hitter, very well-rounded when he gets to the plate. He's very calm, it doesn't seem like he's out of place at any point, no matter who's on the mound. Very impressive to watch."

While he still needs some defensive polish - Jimenez said he doesn't care if he plays left or right field - the personality also is impressive to watch.

In the early days of camp, Jimenez has been spotted dancing with Yolmer Sanchez, mugging for TV cameras and hugging any teammate in sight.

He doesn't care if you call him E-loy or Aloy, and his English has gotten so much better he didn't need to use White Sox translator Billy Russo when he met with reporters.

"I think he's very well grounded," manager Rick Renteria said. "Anybody who has a decent perspective on life I think always has an opportunity and a chance to survive all the hype. Most of it, as I tell the players, is for the fans. For the people who are outside the arena, so to speak.

"We understand that, and it's good for us and it's good for baseball and it's good for everything you guys (media) do. I just try to make sure they still focus on what they're supposed to do in that clubhouse and between the lines and let that stuff take care of itself. We have a job to do, and I think he's balanced enough to understand."

  Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech, who will miss this season following Tommy John surgery, offers a glowing scouting report on teammate Eloy Jimenez. sgregor@dailyherald.com
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