White Sox: Ryan Cordell having strong start to spring training

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 21: Ryan Cordell
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 21: Ryan Cordell

White Sox outfield prospect is starting to impress early in spring training while he competes for a spot on the team for the upcoming season.

Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Ryan Cordell is having a strong start to spring training for the team. Through six at-bats, Cordell is hitting .333 and is making a good case to be one of the White Sox outfielders to open the 2018 season.

Cordell was acquired last season from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Anthony Swarzak. However, he was unable to play a single game in the Sox organization last year as he was recovering from a back injury sustained while with the Brewers organization. Cordell only appeared in 68 games for Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2017.

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The 25-year-old is looking to rebound from last season and could very well be in the outfield mix for 2018. On Tuesday, Cordell had two walks in three plate appearances for the White Sox in the team’s 6-5 loss to the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz. With the Sox not having a definitive starting center fielder heading into this upcoming season, Cordell could make the case to be the team’s starting center fielder on Opening Day.

Carson Fulmer struggled on Tuesday in his first start of the spring. The Cubs trounced on Fulmer early in their contest against the White Sox. Fulmer gave up four runs (one earned) in the first inning which began with a solo home run by Ian Happ. The White Sox 2015 first-round draft pick pitched just one inning.

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Hector Santiago continued his scoreless inning streak for this spring with another solid three innings pitched on Tuesday. Santiago was able to hold the Cubs from scoring after he came in for relief of Fulmer in the second inning and recorded four strikeouts in his appearance. The 30-year-old could be in the mix for a spot in the White Sox starting rotation to begin the season, and he’s having a strong start to spring training so far.