White Sox’ Youth Movement Comes Up Big in Win Over Royals
Introduction to the Youth Movement
The White Sox got to see some of the fruits of their rebuild in action Saturday. It was just one day, but the future was on display, with recently promoted pieces driving in all the runs in a 4-1 win over the Royals.
Key Players in the Win
First baseman Tim Elko hit a two-run homer. Infielder Chase Meidroth hit a solo homer. Catcher Edgar Quero drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. And catcher Kyle Teel, who played in just his second big league game after being called up Friday, had a pair of hits. None of these players were on the Sox’ Opening Day roster. Two of them came over in the Garrett Crochet trade in December. Three of them have arrived with fanfare celebrating rebuilding milestones.
Player Readiness
“They’re coming up here and they’re ready,” starting pitcher Adrian Houser said after the game. “They’re not timid. They’re not scared of the big lights. Sometimes it gets the best of you, but these guys are coming up here, they’re ready to go. They’re putting the work in every day, and they’re locked in. It’s great to see.”
Rebuilding Project Progress
There’s obviously a long way to go in Chris Getz’s ongoing rebuilding project, but to be able to point to guys who are a part of the plans and watch them at the major league level is a big deal for fans who have suffered through so much losing. And there’s more where that came from.
Future Additions
“There will be more additions along the way,” Getz said Friday. “To predict who that’s going to be and when that’s going to happen is really hard to do. I know we’re making a lot of progress with players in the minor league system, and I anticipate that they’re going to be pushing on the door, knocking on the door.”
Hurlin’ Houser
It almost happened again. Houser has had a nice major league career, but he’s best known among some fans for throwing up on the field during games, once in 2018 and again in 2019. At one point in the sixth inning Saturday, he crouched down on the mound, spurring a visit from the trainer.
Houser’s Performance
After the game, he explained that he almost threw up again. “I’ve been kind of dealing with some sickness … the last few days,” he said. “I was running out of gas there in the last inning, almost had breakfast come up. It would have been the third time. I’m sure some Chicago fans wanted to see a puke and rally. But I was able to get past that and get out of the inning.” Houser was again great, as he has been now four times since joining the Sox. Saturday, he gave up one run in six innings, and his ERA stands at 1.48.
Vaughn Check
How are things going for first baseman Andrew Vaughn at Triple-A Charlotte? In 11 games since being sent down, Vaughn is slashing .233/.340/.349 with a homer and two doubles. That’s not terrific, but it’s much better than his production in the majors this season: .189/.218/.314 in 48 games.
Vaughn’s Progress
“Andrew is working harder than anyone down in Charlotte,” Getz said. “We’ve got a plan in place in regards to some mechanical adjustments. He’s had some really quality at-bats, taken his walks and is driving the baseball. He’s not quite where we feel like he can be. With that being said, we know that he’s not too far off, either. … We have confidence that he’s going to get there, and we’re going to monitor that closely.”
Conclusion
The White Sox’ win over the Royals was a significant milestone in their rebuilding project. With young players like Elko, Meidroth, Quero, and Teel making significant contributions, the future looks bright for the team. As the season progresses, fans can expect to see more additions to the roster, further solidifying the team’s chances of success.
FAQs
Q: Who were the key players in the White Sox’ win over the Royals?
A: The key players in the win were Tim Elko, Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, and Kyle Teel.
Q: What is the current status of Andrew Vaughn?
A: Andrew Vaughn is currently playing at Triple-A Charlotte, where he is working on mechanical adjustments and having some quality at-bats.
Q: What is the expectation for the White Sox’ rebuilding project?
A: The expectation is that the team will continue to make progress, with more additions to the roster and young players contributing to the team’s success.
