CHICAGO – The most interesting White Sox news Monday came well before Detroit finished off a 13-1 rout of the host squad at Rate Field, symbolic of the current gap between first place and last place in the American League Central.
Kyle Teel, the No. 2 White Sox prospect and No. 28 overall, per MLB Pipeline, was named the organization’s Position Player of the Month for May. During an afternoon Zoom, the talented catcher for Triple-A Charlotte said he has been getting reps at first base in some of the Knights’ pregame defensive ground ball sessions.
“But that's all that I've been doing,” Teel said. “It's been two days and I've been getting work there.
“I do have versatility in the past. I've played first base in high school, travel ball. I played shortstop in high school and I was a right fielder in college. I feel like I'm an athlete so I could play anywhere."
Those words represent music to the ears of White Sox fans, who want Teel as part of the White Sox big league roster yesterday if possible. The 23-year-old slashed .333/.444/.613 over 75 at-bats and 22 games in May for Charlotte, with six doubles, five home runs, 14 RBIs, 15 walks, 16 runs scored and a 1.057 OPS. Teel reached base safely in 21 of his 22 games, hitting safely in 19.
It certainly looks as if his bat is ready for prime time, but the White Sox want him getting consistent reps behind the plate. They also have Korey Lee and rookie Edgar Quero already with the team.
So, having him work toward first base would seem to give the White Sox (18-42) another option with Teel. Versatility is a key at the Major League level.
“Versatility is huge for everybody,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “My guess is that Kyle taking balls at first base is more about him staying athletic and just getting good work that's different than catching bullpens and doing defensive work. It’s not part of our plan to have him play first base. Part of all these guys, they like to mix it up and do work in different spots.”
Jose Abreu used to take pregame ground balls at third base and shortstop to stay athletic, although he played a total of one-third of an inning during the regular season at third base between the two spots. It still makes sense for the White Sox to get a glimpse of what Teel can do at first, just as they have with shortstop Colson Montgomery, the No. 5 White Sox prospect, playing four games at third base for Charlotte this season following eight there during Arizona Fall League action.
Little to no doubt exists concerning Teel’s career path as a catcher. The White Sox have future choices to make out of a position of strength with the left-handed-hitting Teel, Quero, the 22-year-old switch-hitter, and the 26-year-old Lee, who was one of the steady voices of the team during last year’s trying campaign.
“I’m a catcher at the end of the day,” Teel said. “I think my numbers prove it and I'm really solid defensively. At the same time, any way I can get to the big leagues and help that team win, it doesn't matter where I'm playing."
“They are great. They are both extremely talented kids,” said Lee of Teel and Quero. “They both can hit the [heck] out of the ball. They both are great receivers. They both can throw. It’s really really impressive to watch those guys play the game and obviously I learn from them and they can learn from me. It’s a good relationship.”
Lee started Monday in his team’s fourth straight loss overall and 11th straight loss at home to the Tigers. Jonathan Cannon (2-7) allowed five runs over three innings, including the first of Kerry Carpenter’s three home runs, as the right-hander's back tightness flared up. His fastball velocity was down, according to Statcast, affected by this same back tightness causing Cannon to be scratched from a start on May 24.
Cannon will be re-evaluated, according to Venable.
“Bothered me a little bit out there, but I chose to try to compete, work through it a little bit. We’ll kind of assess in the coming days and see if we can figure out a solution,” said Cannon, who made his second start since being scratched. “It’s tough.
“Velo is obviously a little bit down. Command was a little bit off, so I just want to make sure I’m at full health when I go out there.”