Each place participant struggled on the plate for the White Sox final season throughout their trudge to a historic 41-121 report. However their catching specifically was poor.
Sox catchers had a mixed -2.3 WAR, in line with FanGraphs, and ranked final within the majors in batting common (.173) and on-base share (.217) and second-to-last in slugging (.291). In addition they struck out on the highest charge within the majors.
After an offseason through which normal supervisor Chris Getz didn’t do a lot to enhance the offense in free company, total manufacturing has principally remained lackluster. Getting into Monday, the Sox (2-7) have been tied for the fourth-fewest runs within the majors (32), greater than half of which got here in blowout wins on Opening Day and March 31.
Add to that the unclear standing of left fielder Andrew Benintendi, who left Sunday’s loss to the Tigers with tightness in his left adductor. He had been batting .290/.333/.484 with an .817 OPS — manufacturing that will be missed badly if he’s out for an prolonged time.
“It’s nonetheless early for this season,” third baseman Miguel Vargas stated. “Clearly, we [were] dealing with actually good pitchers. We’ve a few good video games offensively. We simply should be according to that. And it’s nonetheless early, and I believe we’re going to be in a great spot.”
The catchers, one of many Sox’ few shiny areas, is perhaps a key to creating that occur. Korey Lee (.385/.429/.538) and veteran Matt Thaiss (.250/.409/.313), an offseason commerce acquisition, have been having good at-bats and committing to the smaller particulars the Sox are centered on, corresponding to taking additional bases or fouling off pitches to increase at-bats. Getting into Monday, the Sox duo was first amongst catchers in batting common (.360), third in stroll charge (18.8%) and twenty eighth in strikeout charge (15.6%).
Thaiss even made a highlight-reel play Friday in Detroit. Racing from first base on a double by Brooks Baldwin and despatched house by third-base coach Justin Jirschele, he dodged Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler’s fumbled tag, then circled again to faucet the plate and rating.
“[Sox outfielder Travis Jankowski] was giving me nice data, telling me to slip away,” Thaiss stated. “And that’s sort of what I attempted to do. I noticed, primarily based on how [Dingler] was organising, that he was on the brink of catch it, and it was in all probability an excellent probability of being shut.”
Whereas Lee and Thaiss’ batting averages are unsustainable, seeing them changing into extra selective of their approaches has been encouraging. Lee, who has doubled twice, stated he labored within the offseason on being extra affected person after putting out 31% of the time final season, which was within the backside sixth percentile within the majors, in line with Baseball Savant.
Thaiss, too, is whiffing at fewer pitches and has improved his chase charge. Each he and Lee credit score hitting coach Marcus Thames for his or her enhancements.
“I’ve all the time been ready to attract some walks, however I’m attending to extra pitches on the high of the zone proper now, the place in years previous I’ve swung and missed,” Thaiss stated. “It’s good to be again with Marcus and shortening issues up.”
