The White Sox were leading the Tigers by a run in the sixth inning Tuesday with left fielder Austin Slater on first base after a single to third with two outs.
That set up rookie catcher Edgar Quero to keep the inning alive. Things didn’t look promising after Quero fell behind 0-2, but he got a curveball in the heart of the zone and unloaded for a single that deflected off Tyler Holton’s glove to put runners on first and second.
Center fielder Micahel A. Taylor cleared the bases with a three-run homer to extend the Sox’ lead to 4-1 in their eventual 8-1 win.
Though he benefited from some luck, Quero was just pleased to get a hit. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout on a fastball at the top of the zone. After starting his major-league career batting .306/.432/.361 with a .793 OPS in April, Quero has struggled as the league has adjusted to him. He’s just 3-for-21 over his last seven games, and 17-for-73 in May.
“Right now, it’s a little tough for me,” Quero told the Sun-Times. “I’m working with [hitting coach Marcus Thames] trying to get my hips a little faster.”
Quero’s struggling to hit fastballs at the top of the zone. He’s batting .221 with a .279 slugging percentage against fastballs.
“The first couple weeks [he] was very comfortable and took advantage of the league not knowing him,” manager Will Venable said. “Recently. he’s been attacked with some heaters and has had to make an adjustment.”
Quero said he needs to be behind the ball more, which will allow him to generate more power and hit line drives.
Monday’s game was also important because Quero has struggled of late in games with runners on base.
The White Sox were trailing by a run in their May 27 loss against the Mets with runners on first and second with two outs with Quero at the plate. After working to a 1-2 count, Quero struck out on a 92.9 mph sinker outside the zone to end the inning. The Sox lost 6-4.
Quero had another chance to drive in runs when the Sox loaded the bases in the sixth of their May 26 loss against the Mets with two outs and the score tied. He worked a 3-2 count before grounding out to second on a 94.2 mph sinker to end the inning in a game the Sox lost 2-1.
Optimism for Quero exists because of his approach. He rarely chases (99th percentile), doesn’t swing-and-miss often (87th percentile) and draws walks (71st percentile). Quero not capitalizing on pitchers’ mistakes is a big part of his struggles.
“The amount of mistakes you get [in the majors] is less than in the minor leagues,” right fielder Mike Tauchman told the Sun-Times. “So it becomes even more important that when you get them, you have to move [the ball] forward.
But Tauchman is optimistic Quero’s going to figure out a solution at the plate because of the rookie’s makeup.
“When I saw him on a rehab assignment earlier this season, I thought that he was going to be in a good spot long-term because he controls the zone,” Tauchman said.
Being a rookie hitter is challenging enough because of how hard pitchers throw. Add in the complexities catchers have with handling a major-league staff and the physical demands of playing the position, it’s natural that Quero would experience some lulls.
But now that the league adjusted to him, now Quero can either be engulfed by his struggles or adjust back.