CLEVELAND — The White Sox know Lenyn Sosa is going to be an aggressive hitter — little patience, not a lot of lengthy at-bats. His value at the plate comes from his ability to turn that aggression into runs, which he has done more consistently this season than in any other in his career.
“It has been something extraordinary,” Sosa said through an interpreter. “It’s been good to see the results.”
Sosa, who went 0-for-4 in the Sox’ 4-0 loss to the Guardians on Friday night, leads the team in RBI (67) and home runs (20) and is third in doubles (18). His homer count is a career high and already tied with Ray Durham for the highest total in Sox history by a primary second baseman (Sosa played first base Friday). His RBI are the most since Tadahito Iguchi’s 67 in 2006.
And he remains a free swinger. Entering Friday, he was chasing 39.4% of the time, well above the major-league average of 28.4%.
He has improved his lower-body strength, helping him to turn his raw power into game power. But his success goes beyond his physical changes. He has been more intentional about when he takes his chances. Entering Friday, he 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 said the key has been “staying mentally strong.”
“[I try] to turn the page every time something bad happens, after every bad game, after every loss,” he said. “Each day is a new opportunity, and [I] try to be ready for that.”
Taylor day-to-day
An MRI exam confirmed that right-hander Grant Taylor has a strained right groin, but the Sox don’t expect him to need time on the injured list.
“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 [session] before he gets back out there.”
Taylor was injured in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Rays, leaving the game after facing one batter. He has a 5.68 ERA over 31 appearances this season.
Teel’s streak ends
After reaching safely in 20 straight games, tied for the longest active streak in the majors and the longest by a Sox rookie since Jose Abreu, catcher Kyle Teel went 0-for-4 against the Guardians. Entering the game, 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.
He gone
The Sox released right-hander Dan Altavilla after designating him for assignment Wednesday.