CLEVELAND — Lenyn Sosa is going to be an aggressive hitter.
The White Sox know that their second baseman won’t be a patient hitter and work lengthy at-bats most of the time. Sosa’s value comes from his ability to turn that aggression into runs , which he has done more consistently this season than any throughout his career.
“It has been something extraordinary,” Sosa said through an interpreter. “It’s been good to see the results.”
Entering Friday, Sosa led the Sox in RBI (67), homers (20) and is third in doubles (18). His homers are a career high and tied with Ray Durham for the highest total in Sox history by a primary second baseman. His 67 RBI are the most since Tadahito Iguchi in 2006 (67).
Sosa remains a free swinger — entering Friday, he was chasing 39.4% of the time, compared to the major-league average of 28.4% — but he’s more intentional about when he takes chances outside the zone. Entering Friday, Sosa was swinging at first pitches at the lowest rate of his career (24.5%).
“He’s just consistently been a guy that has a dangerous bat,” manager Will Venable said. “Now he’s really calculated, and when he wants to let it go early in the count, he’s seeing some good pitches, getting his timing right and having some good results.”
Sosa made his professional debut with the Sox in 2017 and displayed his potent bat throughout the minors, batting .278/.327/.492 across 155 games at Triple-A Charlotte. Despite the high chase rate, Sosa hasn’t posted high whiff or strikeout rates throughout his time in the majors, a testament to his contact skills.
Venable mentioned how Sosa is being more judicious in his swing decisions, which has allowed him to get more pitches in the zone that he can do damage on.
Sosa has improved the strength in his lower half, which has allowed him to turn his raw power into game power. But his success goes beyond his physical changes.
“The key has been staying mentally strong,” Sosa said. “[He tries] to turn the page every time that something bad happens, after every bad game, after every loss. Each day is a new opportunity, and try to be ready for that.”
Taylor day-to-day
White Sox righty Grant Taylor’s MRI showed a strain in his groin, but the team doesn’t expect him to need an IL status. Taylor wasn’t available Friday.
“We’re optimistic that with a couple of more days here, he can get to a spot where he can get back out there,” Venable said. “There will be a bullpen before he gets back out there.”
Taylor has a 5.68 ERA over 31 appearances. He injured his groin on Sept. 10 in the ninth inning against the Rays, exiting after facing one batter.
Teel’s streak
Entering Friday, Teel had reached safely in 20 straight games, tied for the longest active streak in the majors and the longest by a Sox rookie since Jose Abreu. He was batting .300/.462/.667 with a 1.128 OPS in September.
“He’s a guy you just want in there every single day,” Venable said.
Roster moves
The White Sox released right-hander Dan Altavilla after designating him for assignment Wednesday.