SSH2005 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws Notes: Anderson ready for tougher test Podsednik to stay in Tucson, instead of traveling with club By Scott Merkin / MLB.com TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Arizona portion of Brian Anderson's Major League education came to a close on Thursday, with the center fielder finishing 0-for-3, with a perfectly-placed sacrifice bunt. According to Ozzie Guillen, the rookie not only reached the manager's expectations as the White Sox new starting center fielder but exceeded them during Cactus League action. Anderson's next set of exams, beginning Sunday night at U.S. Cellular Field, will provide a more telling tale of his assets. "This kid has adapted to the league, but Spring Training is Spring Training," Guillen said of Anderson, who hit .328 with one home run and nine RBIs over 64 at-bats. "I want to know how he plays when the lights come on." "I couldn't be more excited," Anderson added of his first true Major League chance. "This is a great experience, a great time, a great opportunity for me. I'll do whatever I can to take full advantage." Anderson doesn't have to do very much in order to help the 2006 White Sox find success. He's surrounded by a group of solid veterans, many of whom he got to know during a brief callup last year when he hit .176 with two home runs in 34 at-bats. If he can play solid defense in center, which he has already shown an aptitude for in the tough weather conditions of Arizona, and hit somewhere in the .260 to .280 range, Anderson would be a definite rookie gem. Possessing an outgoing personality to match his high talent level, the 24-year-old has the baseball world in front of him for the taking. But Anderson's greatest attribute coming out of Spring Training might be his ability to differentiate the time for fun from the time to get down to business. "This isn't high school anymore," said Anderson with a knowing smile. "If you do something stupid or make someone mad, the coach won't tell you to run a lap or something. This costs people money. People save up quite a bit of money just to watch us play, so they expect you to put forth your best effort. "I mean, I like to say I matured a little bit. It's probably hard to believe," added Anderson with a laugh. "In my own eyes, I went out and had a plan every time I went up there." With both Aaron Rowand and Chris Young traded away during the offseason and Jerry Owens still a notch or two away from the Majors, Anderson understood the job in center was his basically to lose. But Anderson took nothing for granted. It's that sort of drive that should help Anderson grade high on all future tests throughout this upcoming season. "I'm not stupid, and I know the job was mine to lose, but I could still lose it," Anderson said. "You could come here and [stink] and screw around and do something stupid. They could easily find someone else. "That's the thing about baseball. Anyone is replaceable. So, I definitely try to come here and focus on getting the job done. I had to make a team this year. It wasn't like I could use that excuse that there's always next year or all the spots are taken." Holding pattern: Scott Podsednik will not join the team during its final two exhibition contests in Atlanta this weekend, instead staying back in Tucson to play in Minor League contests both days. If Podsednik's strained left groin survives the test of six or seven at-bats per game, then he will hopefully be back in the starting lineup for Sunday's season opener. "That's what we're hoping for," Podsednik said. "I did some work on the treadmill [Wednesday] and it felt pretty good. I think we're a little farther ahead than what I anticipated. I'm happy with the way it's responded. "I can get more accomplished staying back here, being able to hit every inning. Just get some more game-time at-bats rather than going to Atlanta. It's a more controlled environment to where I don't really have to go all out, but somewhat test it and see where we stand." Podsednik finishes the spring with just 22 at-bats in seven Cactus League games, but nobody seems worried about the left-handed hitter finding his swing quickly. Testing his legs on the basepaths could be a little more tenuous. "That's tough. I have to do what I'm capable of doing that day," Podsednik said. "If it's feeling good, then obviously I'm going to open up and try and get some jumps on the bases. We're going to see how it feels and just go from there. "I've said this before, but the focus is to put this behind us to where it's not creeping in the back of my mind," Podsednik added. Guillen wants Podsednik for the opener, but also doesn't want any sort of unnecessary push just for one game. "I don't care. [if] we have him, we have him. [if] we don't, we find somebody else," Guillen said. "I'm not going to lose sleep. If we have him, he plays, if not [Pablo] Ozuna is in the lineup. I don't want Scott to push it. "We need him in the long run, not the short run. We want him to be 100 percent ready and not re-hurt himself and we go backwards." Taking the fifth: After allowing one run on six hits over 4 2/3 innings Thursday against the Rockies, Jose Contreras characterized his pitching arm as 100 percent healthy and ready for Wednesday's start in Chicago. It was Contreras' first start against Major League competition since working four innings against the Giants on March 10. "The arm doesn't bother me at all. I'm very happy and ready to go," said Contreras through a translator. "I'm ready to get back on schedule, throwing every five days." Contreras struck out five Colorado hitters, but was wild with four walks. Controlling his forkball appeared to be the issue. "My forkball was all over the place, and I had problems keeping it in the zone," Contreras said. "But I felt good." Third to first: Bobby Jenks, who was working in his first of back-to-back games, allowed Matt Holliday's game-tying single in the ninth, blowing the save. Jenks was clocked at 97 to 98 mph. "He hung one pitch and got hit, but I like what I see," said Guillen of Jenks. ... It was a dress-up hazing for a quartet of young players on the trip to Atlanta. Jenks was given a Fred Flintstone costume to wear, Anderson received an Arizona St. female cheerleader get-up, while Ryan Sweeney had the male cheerleader version. Boone Logan dressed as a gladiator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthsideBlitz Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Jenks was given a Fred Flintstone costume to wear, Anderson received an Arizona St. female cheerleader get-up, while Ryan Sweeney had the male cheerleader version. Boone Logan dressed as a gladiator. I pray to god we get pics of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Well, the good news is that we now know why Pods isn't tagging along; they want him to get like 12 at bats before hitting the big time, and he can't do that in Atlanta. And it seems that whatever gun people were watching that said Jenks only hit 96 today disagrees with whatever gun they're citing. BA...It's gonna come down to you and Booney for ROY. Go win it. (Liri-who?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jphat007 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Yep. looks like Pods is staying back to get as many ABs as possible. Good that he sounds positive about it. He's so cautious about all of his injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 30, 2006 -> 05:42 PM) Yep. looks like Pods is staying back to get as many ABs as possible. Good that he sounds positive about it. He's so cautious about all of his injuries. After last year, I can't blame them for being too cautious with them legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 12:42 PM) BA...It's gonna come down to you and Booney for ROY. Go win it. (Liri-who?) Kenji Johima? (I know I didn't spell that right). Good luck to him actually being able to hit for power at Safeco as a right handed hitter though. But at least now I think more people can say they're more confident in BA being able to hold down the fort in CF then they were at the start of ST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jphat007 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 30, 2006 -> 07:43 PM) After last year, I can't blame them for being too cautious with them legs. Yep. Like I say, Keep him out for Sunday night and have him ready for Tuesday. Fine by me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sircaffey Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(SouthsideBlitz @ Mar 30, 2006 -> 07:40 PM) I pray to god we get pics of this. Oh my god...Those would be funniest pictures ever. LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedoctor Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Jenks was given a Fred Flintstone costume to wear ^this right here made me laugh out loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 lol. BA is my pick for ROY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 30, 2006 -> 07:42 PM) Yep. looks like Pods is staying back to get as many ABs as possible. Good that he sounds positive about it. He's so cautious about all of his injuries. That's the best news. As per our discussion before sometimes it's the mental part that makes athletes tentative and loses the edge. In his case he needs it for the aggresive base stealing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 30, 2006 -> 07:48 PM) But at least now I think more people can say they're more confident in BA being able to hold down the fort in CF then they were at the start of ST. That's definitely how I feel. This spring was the first time I've really gotten a chance to watch BA play. He's all that's been advertised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 12:10 AM) That's definitely how I feel. This spring was the first time I've really gotten a chance to watch BA play. He's all that's been advertised. He even made the ESPN Top 10 plays with a couple of nice catches in CF. He has been better than I expected on offense and defense. Hopefully he can carry that into the regular season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelasDaddy0427 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 I just hope if he hits like .270 that people don't start dogging him and going into a panic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(RME JICO @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 01:56 AM) He even made the ESPN Top 10 plays with a couple of nice catches in CF. He has been better than I expected on offense and defense. Hopefully he can carry that into the regular season. He's in the perfect situation. Like the article said, if he can hit about .270, 12-15 HRs and play a solid, if not spectacular, center-field, he'll be just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 03:01 AM) I just hope if he hits like .270 that people don't start dogging him and going into a panic... .270 would equal Rowand's production from 2005, so that would be considered a success in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Speaking of this trip to Atlanta, does anyone know if TBS is going carry either game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 02:01 AM) I just hope if he hits like .270 that people don't start dogging him and going into a panic... I'm pretty confident that won't happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 08:01 AM) I just hope if he hits like .270 that people don't start dogging him and going into a panic... Why would people dog a rookie for hitting .270?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jphat007 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 02:01 AM) I just hope if he hits like .270 that people don't start dogging him and going into a panic... I was thinking .250 going in so .270 10-20 would be pretty sweet in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 09:20 PM) Why would people dog a rookie for hitting .270?? Exactly, especially when he'll probably provide above average defense on top of it. I'd be stoked if Anderson could hit .270 for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeGone33 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(rudylaw @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 08:47 AM) "I'm not stupid, and I know the job was mine to lose, but I could still lose it," Anderson said. "You could come here and [stink] and screw around and do something stupid. They could easily find someone else. I love his attitude. He knows that he can not come up here and screw around. Rookie of the Year. Book It! And look out to all the "honeys" in Chicago cause he WILL be screwing around with them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 31, 2006 -> 05:32 AM) Exactly, especially when he'll probably provide above average defense on top of it. I'd be stoked if Anderson could hit .270 for the season. If B.A. can hit .270 for the whole season, he should push 20 home runs. That'd be a damn good rookie campaign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.