GLENDALE, Ariz. — All White Sox pitchers were in camp Monday, two days before the official report day for pitchers and catchers at Camelback Ranch.
Position players are not due until next Monday for the team’s first official full squad workout, but many are already here, including shortstop Tim Anderson, third baseman Yoan Moncada, infielder/outfielder Leury Garcia, second base prospect Nick Madrigal and outfielder Adam Engel.
Which leads us to five things to watch as the Sox – who are shooting for at least a double digit improvement over the 72 games won in 2019, get ready for the 2020 season.
1. Defense
The Sox always work on fielding in spring training – duh – but there will be a heightened sense of focus on defense this year for a team aiming to contend after ranking 25th among 30 major league teams in defensive runs saved per FanGraphs last season.
Anderson led the majors in errors playing an injury shortened 123 games, and after taking a significant leap forward offensively – he raised his average from .240 to .335 to win the AL batting title – look for him to shift attention to routine slow ground balls and throws. Anderson is the sort who will thrive on criticism as chip-on-the-shoulder motivation to get better. He has the range, athleticism and tools to contend for a shortstop according to general manager Rick Hahn.
Two offseasons ago, Anderson’s focus on his backhand produced visible results. This offseason, expect more of that work ethic as he aims to prove his naysayers wrong.
2. The clubhouse
Togetherness begins at spring training, and this year’s group meshes a talented young core (Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, Lucas Giolito, Luis Robert, Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech, Aaron Bummer et al) with veterans (Jose Abreu, James McCann, Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Edwin Encarnacion, Garcia) and in-betweeners like Anderson and Engel. What’s more, there are six newcomers acquired via free agency or trade who will set foot in the Sox clubhouse for the first time – Grandal, Encarnacion, Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Steve Cishek, Mazara – as well as two rookies who haven’t played a game in the majors, Madrigal and Robert. The odds are against Madrigal making the Opening Day roster but it’s possible he leads the team in games played at second base.
While clubhouse chemistry, pecking orders and knowing your place doesn’t compute in win projections, players will tell you those things matter a lot, and spring training is where the foundation is laid.
3. The manager
Rick Renteria’s career record as a manager is 274-373, which probably says much more about the talent he’s had to work with in one rebuilding season with the Cubs and three with the Sox than his managerial skill. This is Renteria’s best team on paper and he says it’s postseason material, which opens him up for much closer scrutiny now that he has a roster, if healthy, that should win.
Every bunt and pitching change that backfires will incite the Renteria naysayers, but the 58-year-old skipper with the longest tenure of Chicago’s five major team manager/head coaches says bring on the scrutiny.
“Expectations don’t scare me?” Renteria said at SoxFest.
4. The center fielder
Luis Robert, the prized rookie, looks to put a second consecutive healthy season together after enduring a rash of injuries at the lower levels of the minors. The Sox will need Robert’s fleet to cover a lot of ground between Jimenez and Mazara in the corners. Seeing Robert’s talent on display, and watching him get accustomed to the corner outfielders, will be must-see stuff this spring.
5. The television
The Sox should be a better watch this year, and they will be easier to find with 161 of 162 games scheduled on the same channel – NBC Sports Chicago, the team’s exclusive network. Five of those will be on NBC Sports Chicago Plus. FOX Sports will televise the Field of Dreams Game against the Yankees on Aug. 13 at Dyersville, Iowa.
Of the 161 games, NBC Sports Chicago is scheduled for five. Opening Day is March 26 vs. the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on NBC Sports Chicago.
