Chicago White Sox: Five Observations From Week One
Apr 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at U.S Cellular Field. The White Sox won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The first week of the White Sox 2015 regular season didn’t quite go as planned. After being swept by the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, they returned to the friendly confines of U.S. Cellular field only to be shut out in their home opener by the lowly Minnesota Twins.
However, Saturday’s victory proved to be a much-needed ray of hope for over-panicky White Sox fans. If all goes well during Chris Sale‘s first start of the regular season Sunday, I wouldn’t be surprised to see all those “Chicken Little” tweets turn into playoff predictions by the end of the day. Here are 5 observations from week one of the regular season.
D-Rob will be worth his weight in gold.
The White Sox signed David Robertson to a 4-year/$46 million contract after their relief corp blew 21 saves in 2014. The first opportunity for Robertson to earn his keep, to convert his first save in a new uniform, couldn’t have been scripted any better as the White Sox clung to a come-from-behind, one run lead entering the top of the ninth inning Saturday.
So it was that a great script called for an even better performance.
Fly balls and ground outs simply wouldn’t do on this occasion, so Robertson proceeded to strike out each of the three batters he faced in order on fifteen pitches. Game over.
The White Sox Twitter feed showcased a brief highlight of D-Rob’s perfect inning:
This is how @DRob30 closes a game. #OneTwoThreeTheyGone pic.twitter.com/Lpyr98tatl
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 11, 2015
Get used to that glorious sight White Sox fans, because barring injury, the closer position is locked down. #OneTwoThreeTheyGone
Next: Micah Johnson needs more work with Vince Coleman.
Mar 12, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman
Tony Abreu(10) throws to first after an out ahead of a slide by Chicago White Sox infielder
Micah Johnson(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:
Rick Hahn's resume should just say: "Turned post-prime Peavy into Avisail Garcia." That alone deserves awards and a bouquet.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 9, 2015
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