Chuck Garfien ‏@ChuckGarfien 36s

 

Abreu is taking part in a White Sox hitting camp in Glendale joining the likes of Eaton, Davidson, Thompson, Anderson, etc.

Chuck Garfien ‏@ChuckGarfien 36s

 

Abreu is taking part in a White Sox hitting camp in Glendale joining the likes of Eaton, Davidson, Thompson, Anderson, etc.

 

 

Jared Mitchell and some others there as well with Robin Ventura and Todd Steverson.

@scottmerkin

 

White Sox will have a Mini-Camp for young hitters next Tues-Thurs at @camelbackranch. Abreu, Davidson, Eaton, Hawkins, Nieto, Phegley ...

Like that they are all there

I don't care how old he is, Gordon should get his ass there.

I'm pretty psyched about Nieto. I know he lacks much experience above A ball but a switch hitting C who might have figured something out last season is intriguing. Probably too much to hope that he makes the 25, but still, the competition ain't that stiff.

I don't care how old he is, Gordon should get his ass there.

His wife said no!

One name I thought was interesting was catcher Kevan Smith. He's not a prospect usually noted among the top 20, or even 30. He's hit well and his catching game is improving, but he's going to turn 26 this year and hasn't seen AA yet. The fact that he was invited tells me the org still thinks he's got a shot.

 

One name I thought was interesting was catcher Kevan Smith. He's not a prospect usually noted among the top 20, or even 30. He's hit well and his catching game is improving, but he's going to turn 26 this year and hasn't seen AA yet. The fact that he was invited tells me the org still thinks he's got a shot.

 

is there a more full list of names? I couldn't really find anything.

is there a more full list of names? I couldn't really find anything.

Article here has a few more names.

 

@scottmerkin

 

White Sox will have a Mini-Camp for young hitters next Tues-Thurs at @camelbackranch. Abreu, Davidson, Eaton, Hawkins, Nieto, Phegley ...

 

 

Has this been done before? Three days is odd. Must be intense or the Sox are trying to teach these guys a different approach.

Has this been done before? Three days is odd. Must be intense or the Sox are trying to teach these guys a different approach.

It makes some sense. They will be working out on their own until Spring Training, might as well see where they are at and what you want them to work on.

Maybe Abreu would be better off working with coaches from other teams during the offseason given the Sox track record?

Has this been done before? Three days is odd. Must be intense or the Sox are trying to teach these guys a different approach.

Sox have done it for years now for their younger position players. Only difference this year seems to be that the focus is on hitting.

Is this a new thing because so many guys the Sox depending on are new to the system? Like, a closer look in advance of spring training so they've got a better sense of everyone's individual style?

“That’s a strong man right here,” hitting coach Todd Steverson said of Abreu. “That’s a big man. He has a nice smooth, compact approach. He didn’t try to do too much with the ball and the ball was flying off his bat. I think he has a nice bright future coming up with him.”

 

“We try to keep in mind that it’s Jan. 14 and we still have a ways to go,” Hahn said. “But just watching Jose go through his work, you saw that professionalism as well as the plus-plus power on display today in only his first couple of rounds of BP. He’s a very serious hitter. He’s one who goes up there with a plan and has a great deal of ability and it’s going to be fun to see how this plays out over the next couple of years.”

 

“I wouldn’t say I’m anxious but I want to start,” Abreu said. “I want to get it going. That’s why I’m going to come back in on Feb. 3 and get it going here.”

 

One name I thought was interesting was catcher Kevan Smith. He's not a prospect usually noted among the top 20, or even 30. He's hit well and his catching game is improving, but he's going to turn 26 this year and hasn't seen AA yet. The fact that he was invited tells me the org still thinks he's got a shot.

He is a pretty raw 26 year old because of his past with playing football and than not focusing on baseball until later on. He could be one of those guys who comes up when he's 28, 29 and turns out to be a solid hitter.

I'm pretty psyched about Nieto. I know he lacks much experience above A ball but a switch hitting C who might have figured something out last season is intriguing. Probably too much to hope that he makes the 25, but still, the competition ain't that stiff.

Right now I'd bet Nieto has a better shot than all the other catchers to make the team unless he absolutely bombs during Spring Training.

“We try to keep in mind that it’s Jan. 14 and we still have a ways to go,” Hahn said. “But just watching Jose go through his work, you saw that professionalism as well as the plus-plus power on display today in only his first couple of rounds of BP. He’s a very serious hitter. He’s one who goes up there with a plan and has a great deal of ability and it’s going to be fun to see how this plays out over the next couple of years.”

It is kind of awesome that we're still 30 days away from the start of spring training - and yet - we're already getting quotes like this from some on the field action. Nice.

Right now I'd bet Nieto has a better shot than all the other catchers to make the team unless he absolutely bombs during Spring Training.

Really because I'd give him next to no chance. And that's from someone who despises Flowers.

Really because I'd give him next to no chance. And that's from someone who despises Flowers.

You think they're going to send him back?

You think they're going to send him back?

 

 

No. I think he makes the team if they don't do anything else.

You think they're going to send him back?

Unless Flowers or Phegley suffer a long term injury I can't see us trying to hide a catcher for an entire 162 game season. It's not like he's that great a prospect where it would be worth it. Phegley is much more deserving of MLB ABs and not sure what Flowers option situation is. Either way it would still be hiding him since he hasn't appeared above A ball. So yeah I think we offer him back. That's most likely at the start of the season but if not then, then some point later.