Chicago White Sox: Three things to watch in Spring Training opener
2. Play of New Additions
The Chicago White Sox didn’t add nearly as many players as they’re accustomed to every winter.
The team did add veteran free-agent catcher Welington Castillo, who is coming off of a career year in Baltimore. Castillo hit a career-high 20 home runs for the Orioles last season and signed a two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox in December.
Castillo moves into the starting role behind the plate for the Chicago White Sox. While no lineups are out yet, Castillo will likely get the nod.
The play of Castillo won’t mean much in terms of grading the signing. He has established himself as a quality major-league catcher and doesn’t have anything to prove entering his age-30 season.
However, a good performance can’t hurt, especially not for someone who expects to be a huge contributor in the heart of the order this season.
Other than Castillo, no new additions to the major league club are expected to play. Both Joakim Soria and Luis Avilan aren’t slated to appear, nor are non-roster invitees Jeanmar Gomez, Bruce Rondon and Xavier Cedeno.
As of Friday’s game, the play and feel for the game shown by Castillo will be the biggest thing to watch. With a young staff brimming with potential, the way that he controls games.
Fellow new addition Thyago Vieira (see last slide) will make his team debut on Friday. Look for the chemistry between the two if they are the battery pair.
3. Performance of Prospects
Prospects, prospects and more prospects.
The clear focus of spring training for the fans, coaches and media has been the prospects.
Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Michael Kopech have all garnered serious media attention in the first week of camp.
Expect that attention to pick up, especially given the fact that both Robert and Jimenez expect to play in tomorrows game, per WGN Radio’s Kevin Powell.
Jimenez, the MLB’s #4 prospect, is arguably the most hyped prospect of the season for the White Sox. As a power hitter who’s drawn comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton, fans will be ecstatic to see Jimenez in action.
Robert, the #28 prospect, was signed out of Cuba last season. Many believe Robert has the highest ceiling of all the prospects and has even been called the “best player on earth” by a scout.
While neither of the two expects to make the big league club out of camp, both Robert and Jimenez will have a big chance to make a huge first impression on the big league club and coaches.
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It’s unclear how much, or when the two will see action, but regardless of when, the play of Jimenez and Robert will be one of the biggest takeaways from the game.
First impressions are everything for prospects, and these two will have a chance to further solidify their case as two of the MLB’s future superstars with a big showing tomorrow.