White Sox Weekly â 08/19/2017 (Hour 2)
Connor McKnight talks to recently promoted White Sox catcher, Zack Collins
White Sox Weekly â 08/19/2017 (Hour 2)
Connor McKnight talks to recently promoted White Sox catcher, Zack Collins
The 26th Annual SoxFest this weekend was a blast and we learned stuff, too. After eleven and a half hours of radio, 18 interviews, and a panel or two we learned a few things about the White Sox, their players, and the organizations direction over the next few months.
Because everyone loves lists, we figured weâd write down a few things we learned. Some are big news, some are reminders, some are just goofy. Either way, here they are:
âRicky Renteria will, in fact, go by âRicky.â Heâs had other nicknames throughout his career but heâs gone by Ricky for a while now. The new White Sox skipper made it official on the Steve Dahl Show, Friday. The manager is Ricky, the GM is Rick.
âRick Hahn told Sox Fans during one of the panels that he had a trade fall through on Christmas Eve. Hahn declined to offer many details on the deal but did offer, âMany more [offers] dieâ than end up working out.
âHahn maintained his stance that the Sox are still looking to make moves. Whether thatâs the next Big One, like trading Jose Quintana, or moving other pieces like Todd Frazier or David Robertson, weâll have to wait and see.
âTim Anderson will wear No. 7 this year. He offered to buy new jerseyâs for a some fans whoâd bought the No. 12 jersey.
âDirector of Amateur Scouting Nick Hosteler gave out a few nuggets concerning the 2016 draft. One being the White Sox would have taken Zack Collins (who they picked 10th overall) with the first pick had they had it.
âHostetler also said that if Zack Burdi was off the board at 26, the White Sox were ready to take Alec Hansen. Turns out Burdi was there and they got Hansen with their next pick.
âEveryone in baseball is waiting with bated breath for the Free Agent class of 2018. Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Josh Donaldson, Clayton Kershaw, Drew Smyly, Andrew Miller and more could all be had. Hahn said the White Sox have not ruled out making an investment two winters from now.
âLucas Giolito is massive.
âRicky Renteria uses lobster in his Queso Fundido. I will spend most of the season learning how to make it.
âZack Burdi will work out of the bullpen.
âThe White Sox made a large shift in draft strategy. They focused more on hitters with a control of the strike zone and pitchers with the ability to throw strikes.
âRenteria plans to rotate players through the DH spot and use it to get players off their feet when needed.
âNate Jones will pitch for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. He was put on the roster before being âofficiallyâ notified. Said he was ridiculously excited when he found out.