SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Once a prized Cuban prospect who made the Opening Day roster in 2023, Oscor Colas’ trajectory to the major leagues has gone off course.
He was sent back to the minor leagues for more seasoning, with a mandate to get back to the basics.
After hitting .216/.257/.314 and struggling in right field in 2023, Colas played 163 more games at Triple-A Charlotte the last two seasons. In 23 games last season, he batted .273/.368/.273 with no extra-base hits.
“I’m in a very good position right now to compete,” Colas, 26, said through a translator Tuesday.
“I also think that this is going to be my best season yet. This one is going to be my third year on the 40-man roster, major league roster, and I haven’t been able to establish myself as a minor leaguer but I think this year is going to be the year.”
Colas finds himself in a crowded outfield picture, however, that includes Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Mike Tauchman, Michael A. Taylor, Austin Slater, Dominic Fletcher and first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo.
Once known as “the Cuban Ohtani” because of his two-way talent, the left-handed Colas is also seeing time at first base.
“The main thing is I want to earn a spot and I want to help the team,” he said. “To me, it doesn’t matter what position I play. I can even play shortstop if they need me too.”
As for pitching, Colas said he doesn’t miss it.
“But I know it’s there,” he said.
The Sox will settle for an average defensive outfielder.
In the Sox’ Cactus League opener at the Cubs on Saturday, it was more of the mixed bag: A double off the center field wall and, in the field, a fly ball at the wall that caromed off his head for a double.
Martin sharp
Davis Martin had a brief moment of panic when he arrived at Salt River Field before his start against the Rockies. He got there 10 minutes before anyone else and feared the game was in Surprise, not Scottsdale.
“Please be [a White Sox player]” he thought to himself when the clubhouse door opened.
Martin was in the right spot and he hit his spots from the mound, throwing 13 of 18 pitches for strikes in an efficient pair of scoreless innings.
“Just being aggressive in the zone,” Martin said.
Jonathan Cannon, Martin Perez and Martin are options for Opening Day.
“It’d be a great honor and that would be awesome,” Martin said. “But my job is to take care of my business one day at a time. It’s 33 starts.”
Jerry’s birthday
First year manager Will Venable got word that it was Jerry Reinsdorf’s birthday Tuesday. He was also informed that the chairman doesn’t love birthday wishes, so he knew what to do. Or rather, what not to do.
“Yeah, I’ve been intentional about not making that a [big] deal,” Venable said.
“But it is Jerry’s birthday, so happy birthday to Jerry.”
Venable said his interactions with Reinsdorf, 89, have “been great.”
“As we’ve had different events, we’ve talked baseball, we’ve talked about life,” Venable said. “Certainly probably talked to him the most during the interview process, had some time with him there. Really good to get some insight into his plan for this, how he views the game.”