White Sox poised to steal more bases with Robert, Madrigal in lineup
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The White Sox are positioned to be a much better team this season.
They should also be much faster.
Luis Robert is moving into the starting lineup, and the 22-year-old center fielder stole a combined 36 bases in 122 games with Class AAA Charlotte, AA Birmingham and high A Winston-Salem last season.
Nick Madrigal, who is likely playing second base for the Sox at some point in April, stole 35 bases for Charlotte, Birmingham and Winston-Salem in 2019.
That is quite a one-two punch on the speed side, and the White Sox also have Tim Anderson, Leury Garcia and Yoan Moncada as threats on the bases.
Manager Rick Renteria is all for seeing a better running game.
"Depending on the situations, if we have a club that's firing on all cylinders I'm going to let them fire," Renteria said. "I'd be foolish to stifle an inning or something, things of nature. But they also have to learn when it's appropriate, when's a good time to try to take that risk, take that gamble. We want a high rate of success with it."
Moncada had some hamstring issues last season and was limited to 10 stolen bases. Playing in the Red Sox's minor-league system in 2015-16, Moncada had 94 steals.
He wants to add that weapon back to his game.
"That's an area I want to improve," Moncada said through a translator. "I feel much better than the last couple of years right now. My legs are stronger now. I did a lot of work trying to get some more flexibility and enhance my legs to not have those kind of problems I had last year."
Minor matters:
Gorkys Hernandez agreed to a one-year contract with the White Sox, and the 32-year-old outfielder will report to minor-league camp.
A six-year veteran, Hernandez played in 20 games for the Red Sox last season and batted .143. His best year was 2018, when he hit .234 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI in 142 games for the Giants.
The Sox also announced left-handed pitcher Hunter Schryve is going to have Tommy John surgery Thursday in Chicago.
In major-league camp as a nonroster invite, Schryve was a combined 3-2 with a 4.04 ERA in 41 relief appearances for Class AAA Charlotte and AA Birmingham last season.