Borchard biding time early

[SSH2005]

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

Notes: Borchard biding time early

Nine sent to Minors; Konerko hits first spring homer

 

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Joe Borchard predominantly has been limited to late-inning replacement situations during current Cactus League action, despite starting Tuesday's 8-5 victory over Oakland at Tucson Electric Park.

 

But even in a taut competition for one or two remaining roster spots, the first-round draft pick from 2000 was not about to complain about the way he was being used eight games into Spring Training.

 

"I've said it from Day 1. It's a long spring and a long season," Borchard said. "To make a big deal out of one week is really not being fair.

 

"Any time you make a decision too early about anything, it turns out to be pretty far off. When I get a chance to play, I'm going to do what I can. When I'm not, I'm just going to be getting ready for my next opportunity."

 

Borchard, 27, appears to be competing with Ross Gload for the 25th and final roster spot if manager Ozzie Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper decide to break camp with 12 hurlers. Borchard has heard talk and read reports that the White Sox might only take 11 pitchers, with five off-days in the first month reducing the wear and tear on the arms. Much could depend on the condition of Freddy Garcia and Javier Vazquez following the World Baseball Classic.

 

That 11-pitcher scenario leaves one extra spot for a position player, with fleet-footed center fielder Jerry Owens also in contention. Borchard doesn't seem worried about the roster breakdown, as much as his own preparation.

 

"When I have my number called, I'll be ready," Borchard said. "The most important thing is getting work in throughout the first few weeks and preparing yourself for what lies ahead."

 

An 0-for-4 showing Tuesday left Borchard with two hits in 13 at-bats. Guillen isn't focused on the raw numbers, as much as Borchard's consistency with each at-bat.

 

"His confidence seems to come back when he gets a couple of hits, but when he failed in his first two at-bats, he seemed like he started to put pressure on himself," Guillen said. "I will continue to run him on to the field, making sure we get the best from him, and see what we are going to do."

 

Return to form: Tadahito Iguchi has been tinkering with his swing this spring, trying to shorten it in the process of bringing the bat back, allowing him to get to the ball quicker. The result has been an 0-for-13 start through five games.

 

Iguchi now plans to go back to the hitting form he used during his rookie season of 2005.

 

"My balance got off, and I'm not getting to the point at the right time," said Iguchi of his swing, through a translator. "Every year I try to do something different. I try to improve my skills.

 

"If it works, it works. If it doesn't, I go back to the old way."

 

Reduction in force: Prior to Tuesday's contest, the White Sox optioned left-handed reliever Rusty Tucker to Triple-A Charlotte and reassigned to Minor League camp left-handed pitchers Chad Bentz, Stephen Randolph and Corwin Malone, infielders Tim Hummel and Jorge Velandia, catchers Carlos Lee and Donny Lucy and outfielder Ben Grieve. With the nine moves, the White Sox have 45 players remaining in camp: 21 pitchers, four catchers, 13 infielders and seven outfielders.

 

The battle among lefties has been sliced in half, from eight competitors to four. The remaining southpaws in contention for a roster spot are Javier Lopez, Armando Almanza, Arnie Munoz and Paulino Reynoso.

 

"We want to get the lefties the most work we can to make sure we are not making any mistakes and make sure we are not making a decision too early," said Guillen, who added his staff meets every day to talk about the situation. "It's still a battle, with whoever impresses me most and throws the most strikes."

 

Left-hander Ray Liotta pitches Wednesday against the Angels in Tempe, as does Minor League hurler Boone Logan, who struck out Rob Mackowiak and Jim Thome in a "B" Game n Sunday. The desire to keep Liotta a starter and Logan's inexperience make both long-shot candidates.

 

The measure of a home run: Paul Konerko's three-run blast off Mac Suzuki in the fifth inning Tuesday doesn't exactly signal that the White Sox first baseman is ready to start slugging three weeks from now in the regular season. If the home run wasn't pulled down the line and instead had gone to center or right-center, Konerko would have been a bit more satisfied.

 

"I'm more interested in driving the ball to center field, instead of getting around it, which I'm doing right now," said Konerko, whose first spring home run also gave him a team-high four RBIs. "I kind of know what I'm doing mentally, and I know why it's not happening. The hard part is doing it and getting it right."

 

Konerko pointed out that the swing problems could come from poor mechanics, at times, but also could be a result of bad pitch selection. It's a process built for Cactus League improvement.

 

"That's why we are here, getting ready for April 2," Konerko said. "At the same time, any time you take the field you want to perform well."

 

Making strides: For three innings Tuesday afternoon, Mark Buehrle was absolutely perfect. Nine Oakland hitters up, nine Oakland hitters down -- including four strikeouts. At this point of Spring Training, Buehrle readily admits looks can be a little deceiving.

 

"It was a lot of pitches missing spots and they swung and missed," said Buehrle, who struck out five and didn't walk a hitter over four innings. "But any time you get guys out, you are doing good."

 

The A's touched Buehrle for four runs in the fifth, with an Iguchi throwing error causing three of those runs to be unearned. Fatigue could have been an issue, as Buehrle continues to increase his pitch total and innings total.

 

"I was still making good pitches in the fourth, but I was falling behind in the count," said Buehrle, who allowed three runs on five hits during his first two innings of work last week. "I was getting ahead a little bit more but still not where I want to be."

 

Third to first: Reliever Dustin Hermanson will start Wednesday's game in Tempe against the Angels, with Liotta following Hermanson. The White Sox will use Hermanson for two innings. in an attempt to stretch out the reliever ... Despite winning two in a row, the White Sox have been outscored, 62-27, during Cactus League play. ... Guillen put a little extra pressure on Garcia, his close friend and countryman, in regard to his start for Venezuela on Wednesday against Italy in the World Baseball Classic, following Tuesday's loss. "Everyone always says that Freddy pitches well in big games," Guillen said. "Tomorrow, Freddy has a big game."

[Jordan4life_2007]

I like Borchard's attitude right now.

[DABearSoX]

I like Borchard's attitude right now.

 

For his sake I hope he makes it, but I really just don't see it happening....and I know all your Ross Gload lovers out there are also with me.....remember all the hullabulloo "Ross Gload will be the starting 1st baseman in 2006"

[Jordan4life_2007]

For his sake I hope he makes it, but I really just don't see it happening....and I know all your Ross Gload lovers out there are also with me.....remember all the hullabulloo "Ross Gload will be the starting 1st baseman in 2006"

 

If we go with 11 pitchers, and it looks like that will be the case, he'll make the team.

[SnB]

As already mentioned, it looks like borch has his head on straight now. That's promising.

[Balta1701]

For his sake I hope he makes it, but I really just don't see it happening....and I know all your Ross Gload lovers out there are also with me.....remember all the hullabulloo "Ross Gload will be the starting 1st baseman in 2006"

If Konerko had left...he would have been basically our best option.

[SnB]

If Konerko had left...he would have been basically our best option.

please don't speak of that.

[fathom]

If Konerko had left...he would have been basically our best option.

 

I'm pretty sure KW had some moves in mind if Konerko went elsewhere.

[SSH2005]

I'm pretty sure KW had some moves in mind if Konerko went elsewhere.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He did -- Troy Glaus.

[fathom]

I'm still concerned that Iguchi's going to be our weakest hitter this season. Doesn't seem like he's real comfortable at the plate so far.

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 7, 2006 -> 09:59 PM)

He did -- Troy Glaus.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When was this ever mentioned?

[Jordan4life_2007]

I'm still concerned that Iguchi's going to be our weakest hitter this season.  Doesn't seem like he's real comfortable at the plate so far.

 

Our weakest hitter? That's rather bold. It's only been 13 at bats.

[fathom]

Our weakest hitter?  That's rather bold.  It's only been 13 at bats.

 

Trust me, it's not the ABs so far this season which made me think this.

[AddisonStSox]

Does anyone else get the feeling Ross Gload has a s*** attitude?

 

This is something that's been bugging me since last year.

[SSH2005]

I'm still concerned that Iguchi's going to be our weakest hitter this season.  Doesn't seem like he's real comfortable at the plate so far.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The article says that Iguchi has been tinkering with his swing to shorten it and quicken his bat. He has a weird hitch in his swing where he almost double-clutches the bat before swinging.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Trust me, it's not the ABs so far this season which made me think this.

 

Care to elaborate?

[fathom]

Does anyone else get the feeling Ross Gload has a s*** attitude? 

 

This is something that's been bugging me since last year.

 

Ha, yes, I'm shocked he's still with this organization.

[fathom]

Care to elaborate?

 

I felt like the league adjusted to him last season as the year went on, and Iguchi struggled to make his own adjustments. This is a very big year for Iguchi, and it's important for our lineup that he avoids the Sophomore Slump.

[SSH2005]

When was this ever mentioned?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was reported on either ESPN1000 or The Score 670 that the Sox were looking at Troy Glaus and Hank Blalock if Konerko was to sign elsewhere. It does make some sense as Glaus was dealt this offseason.

[AddisonStSox]

Ha, yes, I'm shocked he's still with this organization.

 

To be honest with you, I am too. Recent trends suggest those types of players don't last long here. I can't believe a) he's still here and b ) he stands a chance of making a roster spot.

Edited March 8, 2006 by AddisonStSox

[DABearSoX]

I felt like the league adjusted to him last season as the year went on, and Iguchi struggled to make his own adjustments.  This is a very big year for Iguchi, and it's important for our lineup that he avoids the Sophomore Slump.

 

The league adjusted to our other Japanese import, Gooch will be just fine

[Jordan4life_2007]

I felt like the league adjusted to him last season as the year went on, and Iguchi struggled to make his own adjustments.  This is a very big year for Iguchi, and it's important for our lineup that he avoids the Sophomore Slump.

 

I think he was simply tired more than anything. It's not an easy transition from Japan to the majors. I wouldn't worry about him.

[fathom]

The league adjusted to our other Japanese import, Gooch will be just fine

 

Do you really want to compare Iguchi's upcoming second year to Shingo's second year? Hell, we'll be begging to have Willie back if that's the case.

[DABearSoX]

Do you really want to compare Iguchi's upcoming second year to Shingo's second year? Hell, we'll be begging to have Willie back if that's the case.

 

Well it really is apples and oranges, I was just trying to say I think that article over dramatized the fact. With him down in the lineup I think this could be a big year for him. He even says he switches things up all the time, if it doesn't work then he goes back to what does.

 

And after looking back, i really wasn't comparing them....

 

don't get testy with me

Edited March 8, 2006 by DABearSoX

[fathom]

Fathom, we have to get our PM convos back up pretty soon here.

 

With Iguchi, is disagree 100%. I think Iguchi is going to have a big season in the 6 hole. I think his K's are going to go up, but I think thats to be expected with anyone going from the 2 hole to the 6 hole.

 

I expect 23-25 HR's from Gooch, with about 85-90 RBI's. I have high expectations for him, and I really believe he is going to live up to them. We shall see...

 

Yeah, that would be great if he could do that. To be honest, I think that his real poor stretch at the end of the season is fresh in my mind, so it lowers my expectations for him.