Harris to get more time at SS...

[bjm676]

Either they really want him to make the team, or they want to increase his trade value.

 

More action at short for Harris

Speedy utility man's future yet to be decided in Chicago

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Willie Harris' spring performance at shortstop consists of two Cactus League appearances and his debut performance during an intrasquad 'A' contest. But Friday's start up the middle against Milwaukee provided more action for Harris than the other two games combined.

 

The 26-year-old made a spectacular diving play on a Chad Moeller grounder leading off the fifth, and then threw a strike to nail the slow-footed catcher at first. Harris also just missed snagging Chris Magruder's hard-hit grounder up the middle, a single that eventually brought home two runs in the fifth, and committed an error on Trent Durrington's grounder when he tried to throw the ball home before fully gloving it with one out, the infield pulled in and runners on second and third in the seventh.

 

After the game, as Ozzie Guillen strolled into the clubhouse, Harris called over the White Sox manager and asked what he did wrong on the one miscue. Getting advice from a slick-fielding shortstop, who also happens to run the team, is not a bad place to start for Harris.

 

But Guillen didn't mind Harris' error. In fact, he gave Harris high marks for the way he held down the position.

 

"I feel comfortable with the way he moved," Guillen said of Harris. "I watched him moving on every pitch, how he handles himself at shortstop.

 

"When you are there, you are going to make errors. I'm not worried about the errors, but he put (forth) his best effort and handled a couple of chances."

 

A perfectly placed bunt single with one out in the third, followed by a stolen base, also had to be encouraging signs from Harris. He has done everything asked of him this spring, even if he entered Friday hitting .200.

 

Harris' one remaining minor league option shouldn't factor into the White Sox's final roster decisions. Harris figures to be playing in Chicago or for another Major League team. But the fleet-footed left-handed hitter could influence other players' chances to make the White Sox, primarily Pablo Ozuna.

 

If the White Sox decide Harris can handle shortstop more than adequately, coupled with his ability to play second base and center field, there wouldn't be the need for another utility infielder. Harris certainly is putting in the time to learn the position, as he continues to go through extra morning sessions with third base coach Joey Cora and takes ground balls there during batting practice.

 

"It won't be because the work wasn't there," Harris said of learning to play at shortstop. "If it turns out that I couldn't play that position, it's because I couldn't play that position.

 

"I feel comfortable, and I feel like I can do the job over there. It's still a different angle for me as far as making throws and things like that, but I just have to be ready before the ball is in the hitting area."

Edited March 26, 2005 by robinventura23

[southsider2k5]

Or Valdez is out the door, and they want to be able to use Harris more than at 2B.

[Soxbadger]

It never made any sense to get rid of Harris.

 

They want to be a speed and defensive team, that is the type of player Harris is. The problem was his attitude, notice how the article says he went to Ozzie to ask how he could improve. This is a clear indication that he has probably gotten over the problem that he had, and he realizes that the best way to be a MLB player is to do what hes asked and do the best with the situation.

 

Harris should be able to be an average SS, his range and glove will be fine, he just might have some trouble making throws off his back foot.

 

SB

[WilliamTell]

I never wanted to get rid of Harris either, unless there was a really good deal for him.