LDF Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 CHICAGO–Like a good wristwatch, Arnaldo Munoz just keeps ticking. The little lefthander was arguably the top pitcher in winter ball this offseason, putting him in the picture for a job in the Chicago bullpen. "I think he’s going to come very quick," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "I’m really excited about him." Why not? Munoz used a dynamite curveball, a high-80s fastball and a collection of other plus pitches to go 4-0, 1.55 with four saves in the Dominican League. His ERA led the league and he held opponents to a .165 average. He also led the league with 74 strikeouts in 41 innings as a middle reliever. It equaled the most strikeouts in the league since Jeff Edwards fanned 76 in 1989-90. Munoz, signed by the White Sox out of the Dominican Republic in 1998, continued to pitch well in the league’s postseason round-robin. He earned saves in his first two outings, striking out seven in 32Ž3 scoreless innings. Not bad for a 20-year-old one year removed from low Class A. The White Sox figured to watch him carefully in spring training because his heavy winter workload followed a season when he helped Double-A Birmingham win the Southern League title. Munoz went 6-0, 2.61 with six saves in 51 appearances. He struck out 78 in 72 innings. Manuel was impressed with Munoz last spring but has never seen him when his curve is really snapping. "It’s just tough to get a read on a curveball in that thin air," he said. Lefthanders Damaso Marte, Mike Porzio and Kelly Wunsch are more likely to return to the Sox bullpen. Lefthander David Sanders, who led the Arizona Fall League with six wins and a 0.75 ERA, also has a better shot at the big club than Munoz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDF Posted January 23, 2003 Author Share Posted January 23, 2003 oops i may have posted this before. sorry, in my zest for anything of news concering the sox i screwed up again. oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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