The White Sox are shuffling the deck at the top of their amateur scouting department, with director Nick Hostetler taking on a new role as special assistant to the general manager after four seasons on the job.
Hostetler’s particular focus will be on major league scouting, the Sox said in a statement Wednesday. The Sox “will work quickly to fill Hostetler’s role of Director of Amateur Scouting,” the statement said.
Potential replacements for Hostetler include assistant scouting directors Mike Shirley and Garrett Guest.
Hostetler oversaw four drafts after replacing Doug Laumann as amateur scouting director in August, 2015. The Sox selected catcher Zack Collins 10th overall and right-hander Zack Burdi 26th in the first round of Hostetler’s first draft in 2016, third baseman Jake Burger 11th overall in 2017, second baseman Nick Madrigal fourth overall in 2018 and first baseman Andrew Vaughn third overall this year.
Laumann was promoted to senior advisor to Sox scouting operations after eight years when Hostetler was promoted. Hostetler was an area scout with the Sox from 2002-04 and the Braves from 2005-07 and as Sox East Coast crosschecker from 2008-11 before being promoted to assistant scouting director in 2012.
Anderson and Jimenez updates
Shortstop Tim Anderson began his minor league rehab stint at Class AAA Charlotte Wednesday as the Knights’ designated hitter. Anderson, on the injured list with a high right ankle sprain, singled twice and drove in a run in his first three plate appearances. He will likely play shortstop in his next game.
“Hopefully it won’t be an extended rehab but we want to make sure he’s good before we get him back,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He’s a big part of us and we miss him.”
Left fielder Eloy Jimenez played catch from 90 feet and swung the bat for the first time since he went on the injured list with a bruised ulnar nerve. He took some flips and did tee work in the batting cage.
Fry on roll
Left-hander Jace Fry owned a 0.79 ERA with and 17 strikeouts over his last 14 outings covering 11 1⁄3 innings entering the game Wednesday against the Marlins. Fry has lowered his ERA to 4.15 over 42 appearances after an inconsistent start to the season. It was at 5.40 through June.
“He’s commanding the zone much better,” Renteria said. “He’s attacking with his fastball and commanding his breaking ball as well. His confidence continues to grow.”
Renteria has confidence in Fry against left- and right-handed hitters.
“He continues to develop that skill set,” Renteria said. “He’s got a good arm with a nice idea of what he’s doing.”
This and that
Right-hander Lucas Giolito (11-4, 3.12 ERA), who starts against Twins righty Jose Berrios in a matchup of All-Stars Thursday, ranks among American League leaders in wins (tied for second), opponents average (third, .200), ERA), strikeouts per nine innings (seventh, 10.61) and strikeouts (10th, 125).
*The Sox are in a stretch of playing 27 games in 27 days since the All-Star break.
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