With Moncada absent, Vaughn, Mercedes give White Sox depth at third base

Even with Michael Kopech opting out of the upcoming season, the White Sox have plenty of starting pitching depth.

With Yasmani Grandal and Jame McCann, they're carrying two catchers that played in last year's All-Star Game.

The Sox have a deep bullpen, a long line of first basemen headed by Jose Abreu and Edwin Encarnacion and talent galore in the outfield.

Third base?

That is Yoan Moncada's spot, and it was in very capable hands heading into the opening of summer training camp on July 3.

Moncada never arrived, and he was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, very possibly as one of the two unnamed White Sox players that tested positive for the coronavirus.

Relief pitcher Jose Ruiz also landed on the 10-day IL Friday.

With the 60-game season starting July 24, is there is a chance Moncada could be in the White Sox's lineup for the opener?

"I don't know, to be honest with you," Sox hitting coach Frank Menechino said. "I think 10, 15 at-bats to see where he's at. And then, probably, I'd say 20 at-bats to get him started in the right direction. As far as days, I don't know what he's able to do while he's not here.

"He's a great athlete and I think it's going to be sooner rather than later for him. Once he sees his teammates playing he'll want to get in there, and that might not be such a bad thing. If he's in shape and he's ready to handle the workload, I think he'll get in there pretty quick."

If there is a delay, the Sox do have other options at third base.

Leury Garcia is still on the roster, and the versatile veteran can play all over the infield and outfield.

Danny Mendick, who joined the White Sox from Class AAA Charlotte last September, can play third, and Cheslor Cuthbert is in camp after spending the past five seasons with the Royals.

There are two other candidates, and neither figured to get much of a look at third during regular spring training in February and March.

Andrew Vaughn, the White Sox's first-round draft pick last year, is a first baseman by trade. Yermin Mercedes is a catcher.

Both players are battling to make the Sox's 30-man roster to open the season, and they're getting work at third base.

Bench coach Joe McEwing, who has been filling in as manager since Rick Renteria traveled home to California for a family funeral late last week, likes to have first basemen and catchers take groundballs at third and shortstop to improve their footwork.

Back at spring training in Arizona, McEwing liked the way Vaughn handled the transition.

"He loved it," said McEwing, who works with White Sox infielders. "He said, 'I feel like I'm athletic.' During the time we had in spring training, he looked exceptionally well. He was getting better, better every day."

If Vaughn, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft, has to play third base in order to make the Sox's roster, he's on board.

"I definitely feel comfortable moving around," Vaughn said. "Growing up, I played second, I played short, I played outfield and pitched. So moving around feels not too new to me. I'm excited for the challenge. Whatever they want me to do, I'm all for it."

Mercedes started at third base in Monday's intrasquad game at Guaranteed Rate Field. He made a throwing error in the first inning, but the outgoing catcher played the position twice at Class AAA Charlotte last year and is game for more work.

"In the field, wherever they want to put me I'll do my job, help the team," Mercedes said. "Before, I played third and left field. I'm comfortable there if they need me. If they need me at third, left, I'm here. I just want to do my job and help the team do the best."