Earlier today, the Chicago White Sox dropped their first Cactus League game to their crosstown rival, the Chicago Cubs. However, there was plenty of other news to write home about on this fine Friday.
John Schriffen makes his NBC Sports Chicago debut
Newly minted Chicago White Sox play-by-play announcer John Schriffen called his first game since being hired by the organization. Schriffen’s passion and optimism were on full display this afternoon, and you can hear his first homerun call below on Tim Elko‘s 2nd inning blast.
Additionally, the White Sox reminded us of their 2024 Spring Training broadcast schedule, where you can watch or listen to Schriffen, Steve Stone, Len Kasper, and Darrin Jackson.
Liam Hendriks comments on the White Sox
After signing with the Boston Red Sox on a two-year deal earlier this week, Liam Hendriks was officially a member of an organization other than the White Sox for the first time since 2020. In an article released by the Chicago Sun-Times today, Hendriks was his usual, transparent self when asked about his former ball club.
“We had too many guys pulling in different directions, too many cooks in the kitchen trying to fix what they thought was [wrong],” he said this week. There’s a lot of Type A people in a clubhouse. You’ve got certain people thinking, ‘This is the way it’s got to go.’ Certain people want to fix something, so they just scream and yell until someone fixes it. There wasn’t, honestly, enough positivity and eagerness to go out there and play on a day-to-day basis.”
Liam Hendriks to Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun Times
White Sox claim outfielder Peyton Burdick
Continuing the theme of adding depth, White Sox general manager Chris Getz and company added another piece to the outfield puzzle, claiming outfielder Peyton Burdick from the Baltimore Orioles. It’s being reported that Burdick will join the club tomorrow.
In a corresponding move, right-hander Matt Foster has been moved to the 60-day injured list as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery.
“Burdick, who turns 27 on Monday, appeared in 14 games with Miami last season, hitting .182 (6-33) with two doubles, one home run and two RBI. He spent most of 2023 at Class AAA Jacksonville, batting .219 (92-420) with 20 doubles, two triples, 24 homers and 74 RBI over 114 games. The 6-foot, 205-pound Burdick was traded by the Marlins to Orioles in exchange for cash considerations on February 14.
“Burdick, a native of Batavia, Ohio, has hit .200 (25-125) with six doubles, five home runs, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored in 46 career major-league games with Miami. He is a career .235/.353/.457 (340-1,445) hitter with 76 doubles, 13 triples, 73 homers and 249 RBI in 396 games over four minor-league seasons. Burdick originally was selected by the Marlins in the third round of the June 2019 First-Year Player Draft.”
via Chicago White Sox press release
With the following the moves, Chicago’s 40-man roster remains at 40.
Updates on Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet
Early reports on key pitchers Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet are nothing but positive. The former attempts to prove that he deserves to stick in the Sox’s rotation, while the latter attempts to show that he deserves to enter the major league rotation.
The Chicago Tribune‘s LaMond Pope discusses this in an article released earlier today.
GM Chris Getz reflects on his first six months
“I’m a fan of sports,” Getz told MLB.com. “And I’ve got sports teams I’ve grown up and feel strongly connected to, and if there are struggles, the last thing you want to hear is that there’s going to be an internal hire. You get thrust into, like, you are a part of the problem: ‘How could you possibly bring us to a position to be successful?’
“That’s why you go out there and you’ve got to prove your worth. That will take time and I understand that. That is fair. And hopefully, our fan base can sense us moving in the right direction.”
Chris Getz to Scott Merkin/MLB.com
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Featured Photo: NBC Sports Chicago