Rozner: White Sox, Madrigal keeping eye on big picture

While seven will forever be one more than six, the equation doesn't apply to every player on the verge of reaching the big leagues.

That's because some of them actually need more time in the minors.

Nick Madrigal is, in fact, one player whose promotion may not come on Opening Day or even two weeks into the season.

Unlike many of those who will soon be his teammates, Madrigal still has something to prove to management, so the White Sox want to see if those adjustments show up in spring training.

If they do, Madrigal will be given a full opportunity to make the club, but as we sit here today the more likely scenario is the 22-year-old arrives somewhere in the neighborhood of Memorial Day.

"Honestly, I'm not thinking about it," Madrigal said. "I play my best baseball when I just go out and have fun and not worry about where I'm starting and where I'm going to be, all the stuff that's outside of the game.

"It's kind of out my control anyway. I'm gonna show up and give everything I have. I think whatever's meant to be is going to happen. I won't focus on it."

Madrigal has gotten used to the distractions since being selected fourth overall just 20 months ago. At each level, there has been constant talk about his arrival in Chicago.

And now that the Sox are on the verge of seeing their lineup blossom on the South Side, fans and players are anxious to see everyone here at once.

"I think there's times where - realistically - there's a lot of noise and there's so much social media out there," Madrigal said. "You're going to see things here and there. I'm human.

"At times it's hard when something happens or reporters ask questions. Things like that. But I've been able to handle it up until now and I feel good."

With Madrigal collecting only 118 at-bats in a month at Triple-A in 2019, and having only started his pro career after the draft in June 2018, there's no rush to get him here before he's ready.

The Sox have also shown no reluctance to promote players who can't be held back and have displayed over and over again a desire to lock up young players to long-term deals in the process.

With a penchant for making contact, getting on base and stealing bases, Madrigal would be a nice addition to a lineup that has seen multiple upgrades this winter, not to mention players who took big steps forward a year ago.

But they could also live with Leury Garcia or Danny Mendick for a short period of time while the Sox make sure Madrigal is ready to bring his Gold Glove-caliber defense to second base.

That's if he doesn't surprise everyone and make the team out of camp. The kid has made a career out of surprising people, consistently overcoming all the supposed deficiencies in his game.

"I've heard it my whole life. Every single level I've been at, there's always been something," says the 5-foot-7 Madrigal. "In high school, I wasn't big enough and they questioned my fielding.

"In college, they questioned my power. When I got to the minors, it was something else.

"I think it's just part of the industry we're in. You can find something about every player, even in the majors. So it doesn't really bother me. I feel confident in who I am and I'm not really worried about it."

Confidence is one thing Madrigal is not short on.

"There are things you pick up on throughout the years that help with that belief," Madrigal said. "I work extremely hard off the field when no one's there, so when I get on the field I feel as confident as ever.

"I think great players, whether they show it on the field or just keep it to themselves, they have confidence. In the game of baseball it's just you against the pitcher in the batter's box, so you have to have confidence."

If Madrigal starts the year at Charlotte, it will be less a disappointment and more about trying to contain his anticipation for joining a team that should provide an entertaining product in 2020.

"I've watched all the acquisitions this offseason. Watched very closely," he said. "It's definitely exciting to be a part of it. You can see how much excitement there is among the guys and among the fans.

"It seems like it's at our fingertips now. We could be the team to beat here very shortly and I'm excited to be a part of it.

"I'm excited to get on the field with these guys in spring training and see where it goes from there."

The date of his arrival is up for debate. As for what Nick Madrigal aims to be once he gets here, there is little doubt about that.