Thursday's roundup
--Gordon Beckham had one hit, one run scored and made a couple of slick plays in the field at shortstop during Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Royals. But the most interesting note concerning the phenom came before the game, when Ozzie Guillen said Beckham could get a look in the outfield before Spring Training was up.
Remember, Beckham told me earlier this spring that he would be willing to play anywhere to get to the Majors quicker. BUT, and this is a big one, Guillen really wants to keep Beckham at one position and not move him around too much and get him out of sorts. This is not a utility player we are talking about here. This is a player with All-Star potential.
"I will keep plugging him out there and we will try and play him in different positions," Guillen said. "I want to make this clear - I'm going to play this kid at shortstop, third base and second base, not because I want him to be the utility guy, he's too good. I just want him to get at-bats, and keep having the opportunity to open eyes.
"No matter where this kid plays, he's got to play every day. If he continues to play like that ... a lot of people say he's going to make it tougher on me. No, because we'll take the guy that is going to help us. I don't care if you played Little League last year. If we think you can help, you can help this big-league club to win, that's the one we're going to take."
Little Leaguers all over Illinois are now frantically searching for open White Sox tryouts.
--Look for Brent Lillibridge to get some time in center and DeWayne Wise to get a few consecutive starts, as the White Sox try to sort out the center field opening and the leadoff spot. To be honest, Wise just looks fearless out there right now, and stands out as the favorite.
--Sight seen the other day at Camelback Ranch, which I forgot to write about. There was a fan wearing a White Sox jersey with the No. 44 on the back and the name Obama across the top. I don't think it was our President, though. The guy was a little bulkier.
--And finally, how about those Wolverines?!! I know this is a baseball blog, but if you've stopped here before, you knew I was going to mention Michigan's destruction of Iowa this afternoon. That victory makes the Wolverines a mortal lock for the NCAA Tournament. It will be fun to actually watch meaningful basketball in late March for a team I support.
It's on to a big game tomorrow night with Ilinois. I have a nice little non-monetary wager going with my good friend, Patti, who has been giving me flack since Illinois beat the Wolverines in Champaign. She is a graduate from U of I--they give degrees there, right? But tomorrow, Michigan takes the deciding contest of the three.
Hey Scott when is the next batch of White Sox Inbox coming? Also is there any possibility of trading some of our prospects? I mean Getz, The Cuban Missle, Beckham, Poreda, Richard, Broadway, Owens, the list goes on and on. We have too many prospects and not enough places to play them. It seems to me that either we are saving them for some unknown reason or....... we really don't think they are that good. With 4 major league ready starters why sign Colon? It just doesn't seem to make sense.
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I've said it before and i'll say it again BA for center field 09. The guy is decently fast can hit the ball, if he gets regular AB's make him the leadoff. Dye really needs to get traded then we can put BA, Wise, Owens, Lillibridge one of those two out the the outfield. Maybe even Gordon Beckham. all I know is I want Brian Anderson to start in Center Field, he deserves it with what he has done and put up with.
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johnnynewguy, you must not read the blog much. There's no way they are trading The Cuban Missle, Beckham, Poreda or Richard. No Way.
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Lillibridge is the odd man out with that long list of prospects. Keep them until we see what we have. What worries me is why we waste playing time with a guy who's proven he doesn't have what it takes to be a consistant major leaguer.
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"Too many prospects"?
Not sure I understand what that means. Especially when you consider how few prospects we had in this organization just two years ago.
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I can't believe Lillibridge keeps getting play in these blog posts. Didn't we trade a pitcher nobody really wants for a Triple A infielder that's the 3rd to 4th best in our system. That doesn't make any sense to me. Sorry Kenny you blew that trade.
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In my opinion Lillibridge would be the perfect utility guy for the sox, can play 2b, ss, and of with some speed as well, I really think Owens may have played his way off the roster at this point. On another topic, I'm making the trek from Chicago to Arizona next weekend to see the Sox, can anyone recommend any good places to eat and possibly catch and NCAA game in the area?
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Great line, Scott!
"Little Leaguers all over Illinois are now frantically searching for open White Sox tryouts"
Made me laugh out loud!! Keep 'em coming and we'll even forgive you for your misplaced loyalty to that "other" Michigan team.
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I'm a big supporter of Brent Lillibridge. And No. I'm not his relative either. He's a guy that will probably never win a batting title or league MVP award, but he's a guy you need to win a pennant. Lillibridge falls in that category of Nick Punto, Jason Bartlet, and Jacoby Ellsbury. He's the guy that can do those little things that can make a difference in a game, and nobody will see it on ESPN highlights at night. Bunt singles, slap hits, stretching singles into doubles, doubles into tripples, and stolen bases. Of course getting hits and getting on base is the key. He has speed, he came from a good farm system, and was a top prospect at one time. I'm a firm believer in a change of scenery can do wonders for certain players. Anybody ever hear of Carlos Quentin?
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