Chicago White Sox: Five Observations From Week One

Mar 12, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman

(10) throws to first after an out ahead of a slide by Chicago White Sox infielder

(83) during the seventh inning of a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Micah Johnson needs more work with Vince Coleman.

General Manager Rick Hahn and Executive Vice President Kenny Williams hired Vince Coleman this offseason to help the team on the base paths and maximize the potential of players such as Adam Eaton and Micah Johnson.

Coleman, who ranks sixth all-time in stolen bases, might need to pay a little extra attention to Johnson. The occasional rookie mistake is to be expected from the talented prospect, however, two base running blunders in the first five games is cause for concern.

Is he trying to do too much?

Probably. Does that excuse potential rally-killing errors? No. Hopefully, Johnson will spend some extra time with Coleman to in an effort to become more comfortable on the bases.

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The good news is, the kid can hit at the major league level. In his first week as starting second baseman (before Sunday’s game) Johnson has three hits, including a hard hit double and a bunt single. His defense hasn’t been bad either. Aside from a miscommunication with Alexei Ramirez on a ground ball that slipped past the duo, which may or may not have been playable anyway, Johnson hasn’t been a liability in the field.

The talent is there for the  youngster to excel in his rookie campaign, he just needs to be smarter on the base paths.

Next: 2015 is Avisail Garcia's much anticipated breakout season.

2015 is Avisail Garcia’s much anticipated breakout season.

We had a feeling it was going to happen. Now we know it is. After missing most of the 2014 campaign with a shoulder injury, Garcia went back to work during the offseason, preparing himself for 2015. He reported to Spring Training lighter and healthier according to reports such as this one on March 29 from Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune.

“Garcia was extremely happy to come in this spring about 15 pounds lighter — back roughly to his listed weight of 240 pounds, the product of a healthier diet, he said — and believes he has seen the results already in Cactus League games. He thinks he is faster in the field and on the bases, and he experiences less soreness in his legs because they are bearing less weight.”

Garcia has collected five hits in five regular season games, compiling an early .333/.444/.467 slash line, per MLB.com.

Having him protect Abreu with a hot bat will be invaluable as the season progresses. Garcia’s defense has been equally as impressive the first week. He made a shoe-string grab on an Omar Infante line drive against the Royals and gunned down the Twins’ Oswaldo Arcia as he attempted to stretch a single into a double on Friday.

When September rolls around and Garcia’s carrying the offense with Abreu, remember this:

Indeed it does, Chris, indeed it does.

Next: Putnam needs some time in Charlotte.

Putnam needs some time in Charlotte.

As bad as the White Sox bullpen was last season, Zach Putnam served as one of its bright spots. He posted a 1.98 ERA and 3.08 FIP in 2014, while converting six out of seven save opportunities.

What a difference an offseason makes. Putnam’s troubles began during Spring Training where he allowed nine earned runs in 8.2 innings. While spring stats typically are not indicators of future performance, Putnam has carried over his troubles into the regular season. He’s allowed four earned runs in two innings pitched. In those two appearances, he’s been pounded for five hits and one home run.

Obviously, Putnam needs to figure out whatever is ailing his mechanics or psyche and fix it. It would be better for the Sox if he spent his time working through the issue in Charlotte, with the Triple-A Knights, rather than Chicago.

Fortunately, there are plenty of talented arms in Charlotte to call up and replace Putnam while he figures things out. Arcenio Leon is a possible candidate. He pitched well this spring, allowing only one earned run in eight innings, and has carried that success over to the regular season.

He pitched 2.2 shutout innings for the Knights last week, allowing only a walk, while striking out three. I would love to see Putnam rejoin the White Sox when he is back in a groove, but would hate to see him hurt the team more than is necessary until then.

Next: There is plenty of talent on the bench.

There is plenty of talent on the bench.

As we saw this last week, Robin Ventura has a number of personnel options at his disposal in the dugout should he feel the need to switch things up. Reserve outfielder, J.B. Shuck, delivered the game winning RBI for the White Sox Saturday, and backup catcher, Geovany Soto, contributed a solo home run earlier in the same game. You can view Shuck’s game winner below.

Neither Shuck nor Soto is regular starting position player, but when their number was called, they answered. The White Sox currently have five bats on their bench including Soto, Shuck, Gordon Beckham, Emilio Bonifacio, and Carlos Sanchez.

Four of those players have already contributed a base hit this season. Collectively, the bench batted .368 with an .895 OPS last week. It’s comforting to know the next man up is ready to contribute when needed.

 *All advanced stats provided by MLB.com