White Sox AAA player of August: OF Dayan Viciedo
When the Chicago White Sox decided to resign Dayan Viciedo to a minor league deal, I am sure I’m not alone in wondering why.
When he was originally signed out of Cuba before the 2009 season, many gushed over his potential because of his power. While the power was legit (two seasons of at least 21 home runs), he had trouble making consistent contact and was a liability wherever he was placed in the field.
After cutting the Cuban slugger loose early in Spring Training this year, he was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays and failed to make their opening day roster. He would later sign a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics and play 30 games in Triple-A before being released from them as well.
During that time, Viciedo hit .221/.282/.336 with one home run and eight RBIs.
So what would the White Sox possibly want with a 26 year-old outfielder who has underperformed his entire career? I still don’t have an answer to that question but regardless Viciedo has played well in his return.
With Triple-A Charlotte, Viciedo is hitting .315/.382/.532 with six home runs and 17 RBIs in 29 games (all in August). He is also getting used to a new position as 25 of his games have been at first base.
He also carried an 11-game hitting streak that stretched from July 22nd to August 9th (first three games were with Oakland).
Viciedo’s best game of the month came on August 25th in a 9-6 victory against the Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers Triple-A affiliate). He went 3-3 with a homer, a double, two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. Check out his home run in the video below.
With just seven games left for the Knights in the regular season, it will be interesting to see if Viciedo’s brief stay with the club will be enough for them to consider roster spot for him in 2016.
Honorable mention
Feb 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher
Rob Brantlyposes for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Brantly was my Double-A player of the month in July. At the start of August, he was promoted to Charlotte and began playing everyday splitting reps with Kevan Smith at catcher and also serving as the team’s designated hitter.
Brantly wasted no time picking up where he left off at Birmingham. He had four multi-hit games in his first six starts.
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For the month of August, Brantly hit .291/.319/.465 with four home runs, 16 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 23 games. He has hit in five different spots in the order including six games leading off.
His best game of the month came on August 9th in a 6-5 loss to the Rochester Red Wings (Twins Triple-A affiliate). Brantly, in the leadoff spot, went 3-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in the contest.
Overall between Birmingham and Charlotte, Brantly has put together a nice season. In 53 games, he is hitting .310/.335/.483 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.
The White Sox are likely to consider making Brantly a September call-up as when the rosters expand from 25 to 40, a third catcher is certainly a need.
Triple-A notes
I mentioned before that Brantly spent time as the Knight leadoff hitter. That is because Micah Johnson has a stint during August on the disabled list with a hamstring strain…. After an abysmal July where he hit for an average of just .185, Matt Davidson followed that up with a .145 average in August. For the season he is now hitting .203 with a team-high 20 home runs and an International League high 185 strikeouts…. Jason Coats has continued his strong season and now the 25 year-old outfielder is tied for sixth in the International League in home runs (17) and third in RBIs (80).
Next: Power rankings for the week