Florida first baseman/pitcher Jac Caglianone, projected to be one of the top picks in next month’s MLB Draft, has all the physical aptitude an organization could want in a young prospect.
But as Caglianone made the rounds Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol had one issue.
“The first thing is he’s a Gator,” joked Grifol, who played his college ball at Florida State. “Gators and Seminoles don’t see eye to eye. But we put that aside.”
Caglianone, who throws and bats left-handed, presumably was in Chicago for a pre-draft meeting with the Sox, who have the No. 5 pick. This past season at Florida, he belted 35 home runs — a school record — with 72 RBI and 58 walks in 66 games, slashing .419/.544./.875.
Grifol was impressed with Caglianone’s respectful manner and physical gifts.
“TV doesn’t do any justice as far as how big he is,” Grifol said. “He looks big on TV, but when you see him in person — and he stood at home plate yesterday — when you see him in that box, he’s a really, really impressive kid. He’s just big and strong and lean. He looks the part. That’s what they look like at the top of the draft.”
Thorpe, offense secure a ‘W’
After allowing a two-run homer against designated hitter Brenton Doyle that temporarily gave the visiting Rockies the lead in the sixth inning Friday night, Sox starter Drew Thorpe recovered and induced back-to-back ground balls to get out of the inning.
Working his four-seam fastball and changeup, he gave up two runs, two hits and one walk over his six innings, improving to 2-1 in a 5-3 Sox victory.
After Thorpe was finished, the Sox’ offense also stood its ground in the sixth, scoring four times on an RBI single by Paul DeJong, a ground out by Korey Lee and a two-run single by Tommy Pham.
Michael Toglia homered off Sox reliever Tanner Banks in the seventh, but the Rockies — who have the second-worst record in the majors at 27-54, ahead of only the Sox at 23-61 — never got closer.
Rockies starter Dakota Hudson gave up five runs and six hits over five innings, falling to 2-11. He has the most losses in baseball.
Injury updates
Grifol said Gavin Sheets, who left Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Dodgers with a bruised left heel, is available to pinch hit and play first base but not quite ready to return to right field. However, Grifol said the team can “push it if we need to.” Sheets pinch-hit for Lenyn Sosa in the sixth inning Friday and was intentionally walked.
“He ran out there [Friday],” Grifol said. “It doesn’t feel great, but it feels OK. He’s improved tremendously since [Thursday], and he’s close to being able to get out there.”
Sheets was .243/.337/.410 over 74 games entering Friday.
• The Sox sent outfielder Dominic Fletcher to their Arizona Complex League affiliate to rehab his strained left shoulder, which has kept him out since June 2.