Results tagged ‘ Jim Gallagher ’
Winston-White Sox Updates
The White Sox opened up the 2012 exhibition slate with a 6-4 loss to the Dodgers yesterday afternoon. Here are some notes and numbers from the game that intrigue me.
DASH DOTS:
- In all, 19 position players and seven pitchers appeared for the White Sox. As a result, plenty of former Winston-Salem players saw some action.
- Three former Dash hurlers combined to toss four shutout innings. Addison Reed, a September call up last year, worked a perfect fourth inning. Sure, it was spring training, but the young righty had to face Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier in the frame. Hector Santiago, who made a pair of appearances in the bigs last year, impressed with a scoreless seventh and eighth. And Charles Leesman, who very well could open 2012 in Triple-A Charlotte, worked around a walk in the ninth.
- Santiago, fellow Winston-Salem alum Dylan Axelrod and Zach Stewart are in the mix for one of the final few spots in the White Sox bullpen, that according to Chris Silva of ESPNChicago.com. Pitching coach Don Cooper hopes to find a few guys who can pitch more than one inning, and all three of these men project as solid hopefuls in that type of role in the middle innings. While spring training efforts aren’t all that important to guys like Paul Konerko or A.J. Pierzynski, this trio will have plenty on the line during the month of March.
Jared Mitchell doubled and scored for the White Sox Monday afternoon (Steve Orcutt/W-S Dash).
- Offensively, six former Winston whackers (I stole this phrase from former “Voice of the Dash,” Alex Vispoli. I hope he doesn’t mind!) appeared in the spring training showdown. Jared Mitchell doubled and scored in his 1-for-2 effort. Brent Morel started at third base and also went 1-for-2. Jim Gallagher scored twice, once as a pinch runner and once following a walk. Mike Blanke, Jordan Danks, and Eduardo Escobar combined to go 0-for-4.
- 2010 Dash alum Chris Sale will start for the Sox Friday against their city rivals, the Cubs. According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Sale does not have any special restrictions because of his age and experience level. The 22-year-old threw 22 pitches in an intrasquad game Saturday, 15 of which were strikes.
- Chicago is back in action this afternoon at 3:05 ET against the kings of the offseason, the Los Angeles Angels. Left-hander John Danks will make his 2012 Cactus League debut for the Sox.
- Baseball is back at BB&T Ballpark tonight at 6:30 with the beginning of our amateur baseball program. Forsyth Country Day, a state champion last year, squares off with Carver. Check out the full schedule here.
- Stay tuned for some exciting news about Bolt. Let’s just say that “March Madness” will not be reserved for college basketball teams this year.
- Finally, I’m excited to be a part of a media forum today at BB&T Ballpark. Several members of the media will discuss some candidates for the 2012 Honorary Coach of the Year honor. There are certainly many viable candidates.
The regular season starts in exactly one month. Hard to believe it is almost here. I can’t wait to be in Zebulon for the Mudcats and the Dash April 6! Have a great day.
- Brian
160 Days
Let’s rewind to September 28, 2011. It was 160 days ago, and the White Sox’s 2011 season came to an end with a 3-2 loss at home against the Blue Jays.
Since then, the White Sox lost their most recognizable face–manager Ozzie Guillen–to the Miami Marlins. Arguably their most consistent player in the last decade–left-handed starter Mark Buehrle–followed Guillen to South Beach.
This afternoon at 3:05 ET, the Sox begin a new era under first-time skipper Robin Ventura. 160 days after the 2011 season ended, the White Sox are back on the field against their Camelback Ranch buddies, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The White Sox have 59 players in Spring Training at this point, and 19 of them made a stop at some point in Winston-Salem. Here’s a list:
Chris Sale is one of the most notable Dash alums in White Sox camp this year.
PITCHERS:
- Dylan Axelrod (2009 and 2010)
- Anthony Carter (2008 and 2009)
- Gregory Infante (2009 and 2010)
- Nate Jones (2008, 2009, and 2010)
- Charles Leesman (2010)
- Brian Omogrosso (2007)*
- Jake Petricka (2011)*
- Addison Reed (2011)
- Chris Sale (2010)
- Hector Santiago (2009, 2010, and 2011)
CATCHERS:
- Mike Blanke (2011)*
- Josh Phegley (2010)*
INFIELDERS:
- Eduardo Escobar (2010)
- Jim Gallagher (2009)*
- Tyler Kuhn (2009)*
- Brent Morel (2009)
OUTFIELDERS:
- Jordan Danks (2009)*
- Jared Mitchell (2011)*
- Brandon Short (2010)*
* = non-roster invitee
So, what’s the take away from this? Only three of the 19 players on this list played in Winston-Salem as Warthogs. It means that the 40-man roster is largely made up of free agent signings or trade acquisitions.
For example, seven of the nine offensive players above are non-roster invitees. The White Sox’s 40-man roster is loaded with offensive pieces that were developed, to some extent, outside the organization.
However, this is an exciting time for the prospects in White Sox camp. With the change in scenery, this could be a new era, and any production from the organization’s youth will be a huge bonus. The Dash have provided a solid chunk of that youth in the Chicago’s system.
Over the next few days, we will take a look at these 19 players and what their expectations are during camp. Let us know in the comments which former Winston-Salem players you think will make the 25-man roster when the big league club heads to Arlington for Opening Day against the Rangers April 6. It’s 32 days away!
- Brian
