http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-1...0,6694088.story

 

There's a lot for Chicago White Sox to like this spring

But there also are some nagging problems

 

By Dave van Dyck | Tribune reporter

March 11, 2009

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. — One-third of the way through spring training, how are things falling into place for the White Sox?

 

PositivesRotation depth: While some camps have been filled with injuries, the Sox's has been just the opposite. Not only have there been only minor hurts, but the rehabbing Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon have surprised even themselves and should be rotation-ready for Opening Day.

 

Youngsters Clayton Richard and Jeff Marquez have pitched well, but two experienced arms are too valuable at the back end of a rotation. They would give the Sox as much depth as any American League team.

 

Gordon Beckham: The phenomenal spring of the first-round pick out of Georgia has everyone pleased. The question is can he continue at a pace that has produced a .889 slugging percentage and .368 on-base percentage?

 

It's very doubtful and, in reality, it is unrealistic for any player to make a major-league roster out of college after only 14 professional games. But Beckham could be a superstar in the near future.

 

Gavin Floyd and young pitchers: Floyd led the Sox with 17 victories last season but had to prove myriad skeptics that it was not a one-year fluke, that he really has overcome his lack of mental focus. After two starts and six innings, he has allowed two hits and one run (1.50 ERA). He seems brimming with confidence.

 

Aaron Poreda, the 2007 first-rounder, appears to be the real deal even though he may not make the roster. His ERA is 2.57 after seven innings. Guillen might be tempted to keep him as a left-handed reliever.

 

Marquez (0.00 ERA in two starts against the Cubs) and Richard (3.00 ERA in three games) are proving to be capable insurance policies.

 

Alexei Ramirez: If he is having sophomore-itis, it hasn't shown. Ramirez is hitting .333 and has struck out only three times in 18 at-bats. He even has batted second in the order, which is an intriguing spot.

 

Plus, Ramirez has been a positive "veteran" influence on fellow Cuban Dayan Viciedo, who is hitting only .238 but has a pair of homers and has shown quickness in the field. Only 19, Viciedo surely will begin the season in the minors.

 

Negatives Jerry Owens: His inability to take over the leadoff spot is a disappointment as he supposedly is the key to manager Ozzie Guillen's renewed emphasis on small ball.

 

Owens is the only real stolen-base threat on the roster, and it shows in the statistics. Among AL teams, the Sox have been caught stealing a league-high seven times, while stealing only seven.

 

Defense, baserunning: The Sox lead AL teams with 17 errors. It is a disturbing trend even if many of them came from players who won't make the roster. In fact, after Monday's loss to Cleveland in which many ground balls bounced through the infield, Guillen finally said, "We have to be better defensively because that's our game."

 

Baserunning? A.J. Pierzynski was doubled off first base on a fly to right field. Josh Fields has been thrown out twice at third base.

 

That is no way to run a small-ball or big-ball offensive team and certainly not one Guillen will tolerate for long.

 

Small ball? Yes, another category about lack of what was supposed to make this team different. The Sox have no sacrifice bunts, although it is too early to panic. Guillen traditionally doesn't incorporate his movement of runners until roster cuts are made. But it's hoped someone on the team can bunt.

 

Carlos Quentin: No one seems worried yet, but Quentin has only three singles and one double in 18 at-bats (.222 average). Last year's surprise player is coming back from a broken wrist, although that does not seem to have hampered him as much as self-inflicted expectations.

 

dvandyck@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-1...0,6694088.story

 

The Owens thing is not a negative in my mind.

Does anyone remember what Carlos Quentin hit last spring?

 

 

.227

 

Joe Crede hit .135 and was a big reason for the White Sox early wins. Nick Swisher hit .294. Brian Anderson hit .365 and led the team in homers last spring. He hardly got to play. If he were Cuban, Cubano would have been up in arms. Tomo Okha's ERA was 0.90. He couldn't get batters out in AAA. Floyd's ERA last spring was over 6.00. Spring stats mean nothing. All the Josh Kroeger excitement will be forgotten a year from now. Any worry about Quentin will be forgotten as well. You just have to hope your better players are healthy.

Edited March 11, 200917 yr by Dick Allen

Josh Fields hitting should be on there as his approach has looked much better this spring than in previous outings. Also, Chris Getz and Lilli are both better SB threats than Owens.

The Owens thing is not a negative in my mind.

HAHA.

 

The key for spring is to gain confidence and stay healthy. After that, things change quickly because regular season play isn't even close to spring play. I would definately like to see Quentin get on a little role though.

Does anyone remember what Carlos Quentin hit last spring?

 

 

.227

 

Joe Crede hit .135 and was a big reason for the White Sox early wins. Nick Swisher hit .294. Brian Anderson hit .365 and led the team in homers last spring. He hardly got to play. If he were Cuban, Cubano would have been up in arms. Tomo Okha's ERA was 0.90. He couldn't get batters out in AAA. Floyd's ERA last spring was over 6.00. Spring stats mean nothing. All the Josh Kroeger excitement will be forgotten a year from now. Any worry about Quentin will be forgotten as well. You just have to hope your better players are healthy.

 

 

LMAO, too true. I could picture the retaliation thread aimed towards Ozzie right now

This is why any predictions as to season results done before late March are silly (and yes, I did one in here, for fun). This team looks different now than they did in mid-Feb.