No more Mr. Screwball?

Daryl Van Schouwen:

Video coordinator Bryan Johnson dug into the archives for rookie closer Hector Santiago to find video of former left-handed screwball pitchers Fernando Valenzuela, Tug McGraw and Willie Hernandez.

Santiago, who got his fourth save in five chances, threw only one screwball as he looks to rediscover the pitch he said was better for him last season. He attributes that, in part, to higher seams on minor-league baseballs, allowing for a better grip and more spin, but he wants to do everything in his power to make it an important part of his arsenal. Santiago watched the tapes to see how the ball came out of the aforementioned trio’s hands.

“I’m kind of a fastball guy now,’’ Santiago said. “Usually I’m a changeup guy trying to sneak a fastball in, but right now I’m just going after guys.’’

BTW, here’s a link to the Pitch F/X numbers for Santiago’s outing.

Other White Sox links:

• Chris writes a fantastic article on the quest of public subsidies by the Charlotte Knights.
• James looks at Jake Peavy. A.J. Pierzynski too.
• J.J. looks at Brent Morel.
• The White Sox take a stand against bullying.

White Sox @ D-backs @ 9:05 pm CT; game on CSN-TV [VIDEO UPDATE]

Watch on CSN as Gavin Floyd and the White Sox face the D-backs tonight. Floyd is scheduled for five innings or 78 pitches. Gameday | Boxscore

UPDATE: A.J. ‘Tubby‘ Pierzynski hit an inside-the-park HR! Here’s video of the HR (0:14) and Tubby’s reaction (1:06).

In which Robin Ventura has Adam Dunn’s respect

Scott Merkin:

MLB.com surveyed a handful of White Sox players over the past few days, looking for one sentence to describe Ventura’s managerial start. Most players went deeper than the required basic statement, but through the first quarter of Spring Training, there seems to be nothing but strong support for Ventura’s debut camp.

“I mean, it’s almost, I don’t want to sound corny, but he’s almost like it’s too good to be true,” said White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn. “He’s unbelievable. I’m not just saying that. I feel like he’s still a player but yet he’ll get on you, he’ll jump on you.

“He’s got that fine line down really well early. He has a lot of respect coming toward him and I think he realizes it, too. He’s in a tough position, but I respect him from, I still remember him as a player, how good of a player he was playing against him. He has all my respect.”

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at the Sox catchers. A.J. Pierzynski needed another post after Max Marchi’s ‘Runs prevented by a catcher’ post.
• Chris Kamka looks at the utter lack of left-handed power in Chicago. The Sox had just 2 seasons of a left-hander with 30 home runs and 100 RBI. Ever!
• Jeff Manto likes what he sees.
• Addison Reed is ranked 14th in Baseball America’s ‘Preseason Top 20 Rookies’ list.

Robin Ventura’s batting order thoughts

Ventura wants:

• Alejandro De Aza will bat leadoff.
• A.J. Pierzynski to bat #2 but not against lefties (possibly Brent Morel will bat #2 against lefties)
• Alex Rios likely to bat #3
• Paul Konerko to bat #4
• Adam Dunn to bat #5

Chris Sale had a good start in today’s intrasquad game:

Sale said he was mindful during warmups and at the start of the game to not go hard from the onset.“

Just taking it nice and easy and really loosening it up because you have time,” he said. “You’re in no rush. That was nice to go out there and flip some in and start stretching it out and pick it up as it goes.”

Shingo Takatsu, aka Mr. Zero, made an appearance!

And a photo from today’s game. Chris Sale pitches to Alex Rios:

More pictures here.

Other White Sox links:

• Chris has an excellent post on Scott Boras.
• J.J. agrees with Sergio Santos’ statement that the Sox didn’t really rebuild in this off-season.
• Ozzie Guillen didn’t thought much of the Sox sports pcychologist, Dr. Jeff Fishbein.
• SeedlingsToStars’ Wally Fish looks how AL Central teams fared in various ‘Top 100 prospects’ lists.

Herm Schneider is in the best shape of his life

No kidding, he really is:

The most noticeable change among the Sox’s traveling party was trainer Herm Schneider, who declined to disclose how much weight he lost this winter.

Daryl Van Schouwen says it’s 70 pounds:

Nobody looks better than White Sox trainer Herm Schneider, who lost about 70 pounds over the offseason.—
Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) February 22, 2012

BTW, here’s a picture of Herm from August of 2011:

Good job Herm!

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at Tyler Flowers replacing A.J. Pierzynski, and replays the April 12, 2008 Sox-Tigers game (Gavin Floyd’s breakout).
• J.J. looks at the battle for the last spot in the Sox bench, and contributes to publishing the All-Chicago 2000-2011 baseball team.
• Baseball America released its ’2012 Top 100 prospects’ list. The only Sox prospect on the list is 23-year old RHP Addison Reed at #66.

Mark Buehrle just won the AL pitcher Gold Glove award [UPDATE]

It’s Buehrle’s 3rd consecutive AL Gold Glove. A.J. Pierzynski didn’t get the catcher Gold Glove award. Looking at BTB’s catcher defense ratings makes you wonder why he was nominated.

UPDATE: As James points out, Buehrle, also, won his 3rd Fielding Bible Award on Monday.

Buddy Bell sure likes Terry Doyle; Terry Doyle sure likes teaching

Buddy Bell talks about Terry Doyle in Mark Gonzales’ article:

“It’s amazing what you can do in this game with a heart and a brain,” Bell wrote in an email. “This guy epitomizes that. We have liked him from the beginning, and I don’t think there is anyone who can figure out why he was such a late-rounder. He knew how to pitch when he got here. It’s probably because he just doesn’t profile as a major leaguer.”

Doyle on school and teaching:

If Doyle had not been selected to pitch for the Mesa Solar Sox in the AFL, he likely would have returned to his hometown of Warwick, R.I., to teach.

“My whole life I’ve been a good student,” said Doyle, who graduated from Boston College. “I’ve always enjoyed school. I had a lot of respect for my coaches, who are teachers.

“It’s just a sport instead of a subject. I’ve always had lot of respect for my coaches and teachers because they do a lot of work, and it’s almost selfless work. Having all these people help is unbelievable.”

It sure is a lot of work and selfless work. And some people think the problem with today’s schools is with the teachers. No, the problem is the ever-increasing child poverty rates.

As a student-teacher, Doyle instructed algebra, algebra II and pre-calculus classes. As a substitute teacher, Doyle rotates through Warwick’s three high schools and four junior highs.

“If I go to regular teaching, I would like to have those more advanced calculus classes just because they’re more entertaining for me than regular algebra,” Doyle said.

A numbers guy! Cool! Very Cool!

Other White Sox links:

• J.J. looks if the Sox are going to trade A.J. Pierzynski.
• James looks on the Kenny Williams school of rebuilding.
• colin calculates the WAR value for the last 5 years at each position for the Sox. Pitching is very good. Hitting is very bad.

Jim Thome, White Sox hitting coach?

Daryl Van Schouwen:

Sox farm-system hitting instructors Jeff Manto or Tim Laker are thought to be the top candidates to replace Greg Walker as hitting coach, but don’t rule out the Sox making a play for a bigger name such as Jim Thome.

Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf loves Thome, 41, whose playing career likely has come to an end after 21 seasons and 604 home runs. The two share the annual habit of meeting for dinner to talk about life and baseball after the season, and a major-league source said Reinsdorf was eager to move this year’s meeting up.

Jerry is bringing the band is coming together!

Other White Sox links:

• James defends Alexei Ramirez and looks at A.J. Pierzynski’s ‘beer drinking during games’ admission.
• FutureSox looks at the two prospects, Jhan Marinez and Ozzie Martinez, the Sox got from Florida.
• Jon Heyman says the Sox “are expected to try” to bring Mark Buehrle back on a 2-year deal.

In which A.J. Pierzynski finds the ‘Paul Konerko player/manager’ idea hilarious

Sun-Times:

“I thought that was hilarious,” ­Pierzynski said. “Konerko thinks everything through and analyzes until he’s blue in the face.

“He’d be out there playing first base missing balls in the third inning because he’d be worried about what the pitching matchup would be for the eighth inning.

“I texted him when I heard the rumor, and he wrote back, ‘Yeah, and you’ll be batting ninth.’ And I wrote back, ‘No, I’ll be demanding a trade.’ ’’

1B will be manned by Lillibridge. Paulie would be DHing.

BTB talks about Tyler Flowers

Satchel Price:

The White Sox still have A.J. Pierzynski around for 2012, but I expect the team to begin to phase him out over the next year. More and more, you’ll be seeing Mr. [Tyler] Flowers crouching behind the plate, and more importantly, smacking bombs at the plate. After a rough 2010 caused many to sour on the former Braves farmhand, Flowers turned in a .261/.390/.500 line with Triple-A Charlotte this season, and he’s been playing semi-frequently with Chicago for roughly a month now. It remains to be seen how the playing time will stack up in Chicago next season, but Flowers is worth keeping an eye on given how power/OBP potential.

Maybe the Sox will eat some money and trade A.J. because if A.J. is here I don’t think he’ll go along the “phase-out” plan.

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at the September call-ups and the AFL representatives and who’ll be the 5th starter.
• J.J. looks at the Sox’ recent success against the Twinkies.
• colin looks at Tyler Flowers too.
• Brett Ballantini looks ahead to 2012 and updates his Sox players value calculations.

Kenny Williams is angry

Merkin @ CWS:

“Go get the inspirational speeches from someone else. I’m [angry],” Williams told MLB.com, responding to a question concerning the White Sox chances to claim an American League Central over the final 40 games. “This team should be 10 games over .500 right now.

“That’s the bad news. The good news is we still have time to right the ship. But if you are looking for inspiration, or anyone is, or pats on the back from this recent surge, you are looking at the wrong person. I’ll give you a pat on the back if you end up in first place.”

Williams said that anything short of winning the division would be an obvious disappointment, adding that winning the division really isn’t even good enough in the White Sox championship-oriented minds. He acknowledged, as an example, being impressed by Alejandro De Aza’s play since called up to the big league club, as the outfielder is batting .310 and infusing life into the White Sox lineup.

But he added that he’ll be more impressed if De Aza keeps it up.

“Nothing is going to impress me the rest of the year unless we are in first place at the end,” Williams said. “Other than that, it’s just find a way to win today.”

Other White Sox links:

• James takes a look at Gordon Beckham’s struggles, and Zach Stewart’s, brief, move to the bullpen.
• J.J. says the Sox may not see much, if any, dropoff with Tyler Flowers taking over the catcher’s job and that Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn should be at the top of the list Cubs GM candidates. Fangraphs agrees.
• colin takes a look at Zach Stewart and Mike takes a look at Brent Morel.
• Satchel Price at BTB says the Sox should be spending more at the draft. Baseball America crunched the numbers and the Sox spent the least in the draft in 2011 but the 2007-2011 period as well.
• Chuck Garfien tells us about Jim Thome’s late mother Joyce and Brett Ballantini update his Sox player values calculations.

A.J. Pierzynski down; Donny Lucy up [UPDATE]

Merkin @ CWS:

The White Sox placed catcher A.J. Pierzynski on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a fractured left wrist and purchased the contract of catcher Donny Lucy from Triple-A Charlotte.

This marked Pierzynski’s first career trip to the disabled list. The 34-year-old catcher, whose placement on the DL was retroactive to Saturday, suffered the injury Friday against Kansas City, when he was hit by a Bruce Chen pitch in the third inning.

The legend of Cy Chen grows…

UPDATE: Herm Schneider says Pierzynski could return on August 29 because the fracture is more of a “compression” fracture.

Other White Sox links:

• J.J. writes about Juan Pierre’s and Brent Lillibridge’s rebounds.
• James talks about many things, one being Juan Pierre’s rebound and recaps the last week (and talks about Mark Buehrle).
• Brett Ballantini talks about Adam Dunn’s struggles.

A.J. Pierzynski and Gordon Beckham think the booing of Adam Dunn isn’t helping

Merkin @ BOG:

“I love Adam Dunn, on and off the field,” Pierzynski said. “Everyone’s been there. If you’ve ever played this game, you’ve struggled. This is not an easy game to play. It’s not something that you can go out there and say this or that and it works. It’s not football where you can get yelled and screamed it and it makes you play better. There’s only so much you can do. You’ve got to put the work in. He’s done that. He’s put the time in and he’s trying to make adjustments.”

Until those adjustments pay off in consistent offense, the boos will continue to cascade down upon Dunn’s broad shoulders at U.S. Cellular Field. Opposing pitchers will continue to target Dunn in potential game-changing situations, and the baseball nightmare will continue to be reality for the affable slugger. …

“It’s not easy when people don’t seem like they are behind you, and I know it’s tough on him,” Beckham said. “Obviously he wants to do well, we want him to do well. I definitely wouldn’t be taking it like he’s been able to. He’s been upbeat the whole time but it still hasn’t come for him. There’s still time and I believe there’s still time. If he can just get going for us in any capacity, we have a good chance to win.”

Other White Sox links:

• James wonders what does it take to get into Ozzie Guillen’s doghouse, and observes how pathetic the Sox offense is without Paul Konerko.
• Mike says Kenny Williams now wishes he had been a seller before the trading deadline passed. The Sox haven’t won a game after Kenny said ‘I won’t sell’ on Saturday.
• J.J. says Brent Morel hasn’t been given a propder chance to develop due to the Sox offensive struggles.
• At Fangraphs Joe Pawlikowski looked at the Sox Adam Dunn/Alex Rios problem and Marc Hulet reviewed the 2011 Sox Top 10 prospect list.
• Ozzie Guillen spoke about his future with the Sox and other things in an interview with Graham Bensinger (full interview).

Don’t wait for Alex Rios to go the other way

Pinto @ BA:

Alex Rios of the Chicago White Sox sports the lowest OBP in the major leagues among players with at least 300 plate appearances, .256.  Interestingly, Alex does chase more pitches than usual outside the strike zone, but in general, he swings at strikes more often than he swings at balls.  His problem lies in his approach at the plate, and approach that pitchers easily exploit. …

Other White Sox links: J.J. looks on what return we can expect if the Sox trade Edwin Jackson, Mike wonders if Mark Teahen and Brent Morel are on the move, and A.J. Pierzynski’s defense is still bad.

Ozzie looks at the Dunn-Rios pledge [UPDATE]

Ginetti @ CST:

‘‘I am,’’ Dunn said, ‘‘because I feel like me and Alex, we’ve been as bad as you could possibly be, and if we’re doing half of what we normally do, we’re not even talking about this. . . . We’re putting it all on us in the second half, basically.”

Guillen likes Dunn’s optimism, ‘‘but I don’t want him to put more pressure on himself, like, ‘I have to do it in the second half for the White Sox to win.’ Everybody has something to do here. The second half is about 25 guys, not about two guys. If [everybody] puts it together and does what they’re supposed to do, we’re going to have a chance.’’

Like Dunn needed more pressure.

UPDATE: More Ozzie:

“He’s wrong. He’s wrong. Very wrong,” Guillen said. “Because I don’t think we pay Adam Dunn and Alex Rios for it to be on them. I think they have to do their part. I think it’s about 25 guys, maybe about 26 or 28, but it’s about everyone. Hopefully they come out of their slump and play better, but we’re not going to win if Adam Dunn hit 40 (home runs). It’s going to make it easier, but if everybody contribute and everybody do what they’re supposed to do, then it will change.”

Other White Sox links: J.J. says Tyler Flowers may not be the ideal backup form A.J. Pierzynski, James tries to find out what’s wrong with Gavin Floyd and also looks at the Dunn-Rios pledge, and the 2nd half rotation will be: Floyd-Jackson-Peavy-Buehrle-Humber-Danks.