GLENDALE, Ariz. — In a crowded competition for the White Sox’ starting outfield, Everson Pereira has caught the eye of his manager.
Pereira, 24, has hit for solid power in seven minor-league seasons in the Yankees’ and Rays’ systems, but he has struggled to carry over that success during his limited time at the major-league level.
In 158 at-bats in the majors, he has homered twice and has a .146 batting average, .227 on-base percentage and .215 slugging percentage.
“I’ve been working on that for the last two, three years, just trying to translate that [success] to the majors,” Pereira said Wednesday at Camelback Ranch. “But I definitely feel that this time, this year is going to be better. I feel more accomplished. I know better because of the experiences I’ve had.”
Pereira has emerged as a strong candidate for regular playing time in the outfield because of the departure of starting center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and likely limited time in the field for Andrew Benintendi, who lost some weight in the offseason to ease an Achilles tendon that landed him on the injured list at the end of last season.
“Seeing him run around in the outfield a little bit, certainly like how he goes about it from his pre-pitch setup and first-step stuff,” manager Will Venable said. “He’s a guy who is really thoughtful about the way he moves out there. Just at the plate, a really sound approach. Not a lot going on with his moves, really simple, and he’s getting the barrel to the ball a lot.”
Two spots in the outfield are likely claimed with Luisangel Acuña assuming center-field duties and free-agent signee Austin Hays taking a corner spot.
That leaves Pereira, Brooks Baldwin, Derek Hill and Jarred Kelenic fighting to platoon with Benintendi for the third outfield spot.
WBC guys start Friday
Venable said Wednesday that new corner infielder Munetaka Murakami, Kyle Teel, Sam Antonacci and Curtis Mead will be in the Sox’ starting lineup Friday in the Cactus League opener against the Cubs.
That’s because they’re all leaving Camelback Ranch later this month to compete in the World Baseball Classic.
Expect to see those guys, along with closer Seranthony Dominguez, who isn’t scheduled to pitch Friday, get more playing time before they depart camp.
Teel and Antonacci are playing for Italy, Murakami for Japan, Mead for Australia and Dominguez for the Dominican Republic.
Roch watch
The projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, Roch Cholowsky, has lived up to the hype with a hot start to his season at UCLA.
The shortstop homered twice in the Bruins’ win Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a double, walk, three RBI and four runs scored.
In four games this season, Cholowsky is 7-for-16 with three home runs, three doubles, three walks, five RBI and nine runs scored.