GLENDALE, Ariz. — Brooks Baldwin has five gloves with him at White Sox spring training, including an outfielder’s glove. Baldwin is a switch-hitting infielder who has played outfield, and if he carves out a major league career for himself, versatility will be his calling card.
Versatility is the theme for the Sox’ infield picture this season, with Baldwin, Lenyn Sosa, Josh Rojas and Jake Amaya capable of multiple roles. There won’t be room for all of them on the Opening Day roster, especially if top prospect shortstop Colson Montgomery goes north with the team.
“We know that’s a big part of what they do and that continued growth in all those areas are going to be very important to us,” manager Will Venable said. “So that is going to factor in how we evaluate this thing for sure.”
After batting a combined .324/.391/.460 for Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, Baldwin was called up July 18. He batted .211/.250/.316, numbers that may have been affected by a sprained right wrist that limited his playing time.
“One of those unfortunate injuries that you have to take time off to heal,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin played 24 games at second base and nine at shortstop in his debut season for the Sox last season, but he played every position but pitcher and catcher in the minor leagues.
“We’ll see how it goes but I’m going to try to use my versatility as much as I can,” Baldwin said, “and be good at every position, not just one.”
Catching depth
In large part because prospects Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero have lofty rankings, the Sox’ catching depth is viewed as an organization strength at an important position. Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss are the favorites to break camp, with former All-Star Omar Narvaez, 33, here for veteran depth in his second tour in the organization.
Narvaez is in camp on a minor league deal.
“I expect to give a good fight,” Narvaez said. “There is a lot of good, young talent here so it’s not going to be easy.”
OC Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore’s title in his first year of coaching in 2024 was a generic “major league coach.” He finished out the season as interim manager when Pedro Grifol was fired, and he returns – after interviewing for the manager’s job – as offensive coordinator. The Sox have never had a coach with the title that is becoming more prevalent around the game
Venable said the job will involve situational hitting “and some of the other things that we need to do offensively besides just being in the box” such as hit behind runners, hit-and-runs and bunting.
“Buying buying into that mentality and making sure we’re really developing skills in all areas offensively,” Venable said.
“It won’t just be offensive stuff. He’s just so knowledgeable about the game. He’s
going to be a real resource for us and he built up such a good connection as
manager, which was important.”
Plan for Thorpe
Right-hander Drew Thorpe, who is working his way back from elbow soreness, threw at 135 feet Friday with the expectation of throwing off a mound this week for the first time in camp, Venable said.