The New Guys: Part Deux
By: Jason Gage
In the first installment of the new guys, I talked about the players who had been receiving the bulk of the playing time. That list included Joe Crede, Aaron Rowand, Willie Harris, and D'Angelo Jimenez. Those weren't the only "New Guys" to join the Sox roster late in the season, however. The White Sox also called up starting pitcher Jon Rauch, catcher Miguel Olivo, and outfielder Joe Borchard. These players aren't near as polished as the others, and aren't projected to be impact players come next season, but are expected to be key in the White Sox success down the line.
Jon Rauch
Rauch's name should sound familiar. Not only has he been regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the majors, but also left spring training as the Sox fifth started. After only four starts Rauch was demoted as the Sox realized he was not ready. Rauch's biggest problem was his arm, which wasn't 100%. In September Rauch made it back to the majors as rosters expanded. Jon didn't see much action, but he was able to make the best of it, putting a great impression on both fans and management. Jon went 2-0 with a 3.21 era in three games, two starts.
Rauch's strengths consist of great control, a good mindset, as well as good stuff. His fastball, which was clocked in the low to mid 90's before surgery, is still not back. Currently he's throwing anywhere between 89-92. The strength to Jon's fastball is his control. He did an excellent job spotting the fastball, and likes to move it in and out on the hitters. He isn't afraid to go up in the zone, but this is also the area where he tended to make his mistakes. When Jon was punished it was on the high fastball that stayed out in the middle of the plate. Jon also has a nasty curve to go along with his fastball. His curveball is already the best on the team and one of the best in the majors. He has shown he can throw it for a strike, but still has to learn to throw it for a ball. When I say "throw it for a ball", I mean throw it at a spot where you will get hitters to chase it, thinking it's a strike. Rauch also has a developing slider that still could use some work, as well as a change-up.
The things Jon needs to work on over the off-season is getting his arm 100% while working on his slider and change-up. Once he gets those two pitches down, he will be nasty for a very long time.
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo is a catching prospect that Ken Williams has hyped the past season and a half. They talk about him being "Pudge-Like" behind the plate. The big question is whether Williams was simply hyping him, because he acquired him. This season's stats down at Birmingham would prove otherwise, but he still has to prove himself at the major league level. He got that chance late in September after leading the Birmingham Baron's to the Southern League Championship. Olivo wouldn't see much action for the Sox, 6 games. This left it very hard to judge him so I'll have to write a more expanded version on him after I see him in Spring Training.
The one thing Olivo did do well at the major league level was play defense. He flashed a cannon arm with good fundamentals. At the plate Olivo homered in his first major league at-bat. He ended up hitting .211 with a .286 OBP. In his few at bats the trait I noticed most about Miguel was his plate discipline and short swing. Olivo seems to have a good idea of the strike zone and did an exceptional job of making contact.
Olivo is left with a lot to work on and he'll get that opportunity in winter ball as well as at spring training. Miguel still needs to work on his bat and prove that he can hit major league pitching. Olivo also has a lot more work to do with his catching. The raw skills and fundamentals are there, but he still has to work on blocking pitches and calling a good game. If he improves in those areas, he will be our starting catcher for the 2003 season.
Joe Borchard
Borchard, the "golden boy" of the White Sox organization, told Sox brass that he wasn't ready for the show. And although the Sox agreed with him, they still wanted to give him a shot at the big show after his season down at AAA Charlotte was over. Borchard flashed to everyone the ability he has, but he also showed that he was right, he isn't ready.
Joe played in 16 games and hit .222 with 2 home runs, and a .253 OBP. Those numbers don't jump out at you as anything amazing and they shouldn't. Joe Borchard did homer in his first game, and it was a mammoth shot that showed everyone the power White Sox management has been hyping since he was drafted. Of course, he doesn't have the experience or proper swing that will make him a productive major league player, yet. Joe struck out 14 times in his 36 bats, roughly 39% of the time. Defensively Joe did show off his skills, AKA his arm. Borchard looked great in the outfield, no matter what position he played. On the base paths Joe also looked good. He possesses great speed for a man of his size and seems like he's a "smart" runner.
Like I mentioned earlier, Joe has a long way to go. The big thing he needs to do is shorten his swing. Despite the high strike out totals he does know the strike zone, which is a big plus. Once he shortens that swing, look out, because he is everything everyone makes him out to be.
