KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Yoan Moncada says there is nothing intricate or complicated about his improved numbers batting right-handed. He finds it amusing when he’s asked about it.
“I’m making better swings,” he said.
Better swings and more swings. It makes a difference.
“That’s the answer,” the White Sox’ 24-year-old switch-hitting third baseman said. “If you don’t swing the bat you’re not going to hit.”
Sox manager Rick Renteria said the volume of plate appearances Moncada is building up is strengthening his eye for detection.
“His opportunity to face those guys as often as possible speeds up his process of maturing on the right-handed side,” Renteria said. “It really is experience. It’s recognizing pitches. It’s seeing on a daily basis the movement and action of the ball.”
Renteria then reminded listeners that hitting isn’t easy
“He’s done a great job of adjusting,” Renteria said.
Batting right-handed, Moncada owned a .280/.330/.473 hitting line with an .803 OPS in 100 plate appearances going into the Sox’ game against Royals Tuesday. Last season Moncada batted .209/.287/.297 with a .585 OPS against lefties, numbers that left some to wonder if he should give up switch-hitting.
Three of Moncada’s 16 homers this season are right-handed. He has an equal amount of doubles (nine) from each side of the plate with 2 ½ times more plate appearances from the left side.
“I think he’s just scratching the surface,” Renteria said. “He’s coming along.”
Missing Tim
A White Sox-Royals series just isn’t the same without shortstop Tim Anderson. In fact, the Sox just aren’t the same and not just because their shortstop, according to Renteria, was an All-Star caliber player during the first half.
“You miss his edge,” Renteria said. “He’s got an edge to him.”
Anderson (high right ankle sprain) has not timetable for a return, Renteria said, “but we hope this rest of the week puts him in a positive place and then we’ll make a determination. It’s day to day in terms of how he’s feeling, and strength he’s developing to be able to put together a program for a rehab assignment.”
Castillo returns
Renteria wasn’t specific about plans for Welington Castillo’s usage beyond saying he would catch Dylan Covey in the series finale Thursday afternoon. Both catchers will probably get used as the designated hitter, too.
Castillo (oblique) was reinstated from the injured list after Zack Collins was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte after the game Monday.
Jimenez cutting down on Ks
Eloy Jimenez, who struck out nine times in his first six major league games, had struck out once in his last six before Tuesday. He also has five homers in his last 12 games.
Jimenez has been more selective and as a result is getting more fastballs to hit.
“He’s now not … chasing pitches out of the zone, breaking pitches,” Renteria said “He’s trying to get pitches he can handle more, manage the at-bat.”
