Ken Williams on White Sox rebuild: 'A lot of us needed this kind of jolt'

GLENDALE, Ariz. _ White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams is typically optimistic at this point in spring training, but he said this week he has "not been this excited about the White Sox future in a long, long time."

The enthusiasm came as Williams perused the back fields at Camelback Ranch to watch a new crop of prospects who are expected to jump-start the team's rebuilding project. Williams said he "absolutely" wanted to embark on the process this offseason, when the Sox acquired six of their top 10 prospects in the Chris Sale and Adam Eaton trades.

"It has been personally invigorating to see these guys in this clubhouse and on the back fields, to see the second wave of guys that will be coming after this first wave of prospects," Williams said. "To sit down and talk to Rick (Hahn) about the possibilities trade-wise, free agency, international signing-wise, we're in full-go mode, and it's exciting. A lot of us around here needed this kind of jolt."

Williams said his excitement goes beyond the new players.

Rick Renteria, who could be heard loudly addressing his team in the clubhouse before Tuesday's workout, has impressed Williams with the way he has run camp in his first season as manager.

"It's one of the best teaching environments I've ever been in," Williams said. "The way Ricky has brought them together and used it as an opportunity to get back to basics of how we want to play fundamentally but have fun with it as well."

But Williams also acknowledged the Sox have "a ways to go" before they can call their rebuild complete, and he said Hahn and Renteria are handling the transition with professionalism.

"I'm going to aid in any way I can as far as talent acquisition and being helpful along those lines," Williams said. "But at the end of the day, the only goal that's left for me is to bring the White Sox fans another championship and to see Rick Renteria walk across the stage to get the manager of the year award and Rick Hahn get the executive of the year award. And it will be a job well done."