March 24--When White Sox manager Robin Ventura considers underrated players throughout baseball, he puts left-hander Jose Quintana near the top of the list.
"I would put him in the top five," Ventura said. "He's underrated -- not by me or anybody in that clubhouse, but outside just because of the record. ... He's very reliable and highly respected inside the clubhouse, not only for how he pitches but how he has carried himself as well."
After presiding over a tough few seasons with the Sox and a camp marred by a player-management dispute over Adam LaRoche's retirement, Ventura seemed happy to point to Quintana as a player he doesn't much have to worry about this spring.
Along with a touted work ethic and consistency over his last three seasons, Quintana has a temperament that has helped him to remain calm despite spotty help from the Sox offense.
He recorded at least 200 innings and an ERA lower than 3.55 each of the last three seasons but didn't record more than nine victories in any one year, the first pitcher since 1901 to have that distinction. His 25 quality starts were the second-most in the American League last season behind Dallas Keuchel, and his 3.62 run support average was the second-lowest in the AL.
The Sox hope they have fixed their offensive problems enough this offseason that Quintana might be able to top the nine-victory mark for the first time in his career, though he won't dwell on it either way.
"In the past, I had a lot of no decisions," Quintana said this week. "That's part of the game. Sometimes you don't have control of that. ... I am human, and sometimes you feel bad. But I don't pay attention to that. Every time, I think, 'Next.' "
New Sox catcher Alex Avila knew a lot about Quintana from Avila's time with the Tigers, but he's getting a better feel working with him this spring.
"He always has been a solid pitcher, under the radar one of the top pitchers in the American League, for sure," Avila said. "I've tried to get him a little uncomfortable, maybe not throw that fastball into a righty. Let's see if we can get him out another way and gain confidence in those things. ... He's the type of guy you don't tell him multiple times. You say it once or he gives you a suggestion, and he's able to apply it right away."
If he's overshadowed by Sox ace Chris Sale in Chicago, Quintana is more appreciated in his hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, where he returns to train each offseason and he said his name has become one people recognize.
As one of a short list of major-league players to hail from soccer-focused Colombia, that excites him because he hopes baseball is gaining popularity in his country, especially with the national team recently clinching its first trip to the World Baseball Classic this week.
"Right now in Colombia, we have more players in the big leagues, and everybody is paying attention to baseball," Quintana said. "That's good for us. I'm going to try to get more players from my country in the big leagues."
ckane@tribpub.com
