Notes: Ozuna nice fit for Sox

[Jabroni]

"Notes: Ozuna nice fit for Sox

Journeyman impressing Guillen at number of positions"

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CHICAGO -- In searching for a slightly more removed example as to why the White Sox have been so successful in 2005, look no further than Pablo Ozuna.

 

The 30-year-old journeyman entered the current campaign with a season-high of 47 at-bats during parts of three Major League seasons with Florida and Colorado. But after earning a utility infielder position as a non-roster invitee during Spring Training, Ozuna has excelled as the jack-of-all-trades on the South Side.

 

He started his fourth straight game at shortstop Friday against the Cubs, replacing Juan Uribe, who could miss the entire series with a sore lower back. Ozuna previously has played at every position this season, except pitcher, catcher and center field. He has made five starts in left field, five at third base, six at shortstop and one at designated hitter.

 

Given the chance to produce on a semi-consistent basis, Ozuna has fit in perfectly with Ozzie Guillen's run-and-gun philosophy. Ozuna carried a .310 average into Friday, with five stolen bases and 15 runs scored in 58 at-bats. Ozuna appreciates the opportunity to play, but he has greater appreciation for the atmosphere fostered by the team even for the role players.

 

"The team respects and likes what I do here," said Ozuna through translator Ozzie Guillen Jr. "Other teams wanted me to do things that weren't in my gameplan. Here, they create harmony in letting us do what we do best.

 

"I'm more confident because you don't usually play on teams where they let you know what they want you to do. They let me use what I have as a player, like my defense and speed. They don't expect me to hit home runs."

 

Ozuna picked the White Sox out of five teams with interest during Spring Training. He beat out Wilson Valdez for the last roster spot because of his ability to play third base and Guillen's confidence in not only using him around the infield, but also in the outfield and in the leadoff position.

 

The rewards have been far greater than either side could have imagined back in Arizona.

 

"This kid has been doing an outstanding job since he got here," Guillen said of Ozuna. "Pablo plays the game the way we like to play. He runs, he moves the guys over and he does so many good, different things. Thank God we have him on the club."

 

"I know I play a utility role, so I don't look at at-bats," added Ozuna, starting his first game in the crosstown series. "But I'm ready to do whatever this team needs to get a victory. I understand my role here."

 

A look at the future: Dave Wilder was pleased by the selection of reliever Bobby Jenks and outfielder Chris Young to be part of the All-Star Futures Game in Detroit. But the team's director of player development knows there are a number of other standouts who could have represented the organization. The team nominated six players, in total.

 

Jenks, 24, has 16 saves and 40 strikeouts over 35 2/3 innings for Double-A Birmingham, while Young, 21, has 12 home runs and 34 RBIs. Guillen called Young the most improved player offensively from Spring Training of 2004 to this past Spring Training, but Jenks clearly is a step or two ahead in terms of reaching the Majors.

 

"Yeah, Jenks has turned it around," said Wilder of the right-hander. "He's throwing 98 [mph] every day. He's got power stuff."

 

Wilder also gave high grades to Lance Broadway for his first start last week with Class A Winston-Salem. The team's first-round pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft allowed two earned runs over 4 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking four. Despite an extensive workload for TCU this past season, Broadway's innings will not be limited with the Warthogs.

 

"He'll be like all other starters, in that we don't go too far above 100 pitches," said Wilder of Broadway, who also will be part of Instructional League action. "He'll probably be at 90 pitches."

 

Only a game: Despite playing 13 years for the White Sox and now being well into his second year as the team's manager, Guillen still doesn't understand some fans' desire to beat the Cubs above all other accomplishments. It's somewhat akin to Bears' fans counting the season as a success if the team beats the Packers.

 

"The fans have a right to think what they want," Guillen said. "It makes me laugh when people tell me to just beat the Cubs. OK, how about we sweep the Cubs and lose the division? Then how about that?

 

"As manager of the team, I think it's a great two weekends for the fans and the city. But it's just another game. No different."

 

Around the horn: Luis Aparicio, in town as part of a broadcast team from Venezuela for the series, threw out one of the first pitches prior to Friday's series opener. The Hall of Fame shortstop made the toss to Mark Buehrle and received a hug from Guillen by the White Sox dugout. ... Although not a single reference was made to Buehrle's comments about a possible North Side spitball artist from last week, Guillen had a little fun with his ace hurler. While Buehrle was recording a pregame interview with Ed Farmer, Guillen grabbed Buehrle's glove, held it up toward the media seated in the area and pretended as if he was looking for foreign substances.

 

Down on the farm: Joe Borchard knocked out three hits, including his 12th home run, during Triple-A Charlotte's 10-9 victory over Louisville on Thursday. Borchard currently is hitting .230 with 30 RBIs. Jeff Bajenaru earned the victory, lowering his ERA to 1.15 over 33 appearances.

 

Ray Liotta hurled six shutout innings, striking out six, and local product Matthew Zaleski picked up his 14th save during Class A Kannapolis' 3-0 shutout of Asheville. Liotta improved to 5-3. Christopher Getz, the White Sox's fourth-round draft pick from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, had two hits and two RBIs during Billings' 5-3 victory over Great Falls.

 

Although Class A Winston-Salem had the day off, Leo Daigle still is line to win the Carolina League Triple Crown. He is hitting .367 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs.

 

Coming soon: Jose Contreras makes his 15th start of the season Saturday, fifth against the National League and second facing the Cubs. Opponents are hitting .217 against Contreras, which is second best in the American League, behind Minnesota's Johan Santana (.210). Contreras is 1-0 against the North Siders, having allowed one earned run over seven innings on May 21 at Wrigley Field.