PITTSBURGH — Entering spring training, White Sox manager Will Venable told his players about his pedigree and what he expected from them. That was the extent of his speeches this season.
He remains a guy with an even-keeled demeanor who largely has sat back and let the veterans in the clubhouse lead.
The All-Star break generally is looked at as a chance for players to recharge and reflect on the first part of the season, but Venable used the break to self-evaluate his performance. One aspect he wants to improve on is monitoring his players’ workload.
With many of the Sox’ better prospects now on the major-league roster, showing improvement after the break is important for the next step of their rebuild. On Sunday, they completed their first series sweep of the season with a 7-2 victory against the Pirates.
Venable knew what he signed up for with the rebuilding Sox, but that hasn’t make the losing any easier. He said he’s in constant communication with players and coaches to be aware of when a player needs a day off and to weigh the risks and rewards.
‘‘It’s tricky,’’ Venable told the Sun-Times. ‘‘I’m learning more about keeping these guys tapped in and healthy and with energy levels. Sometimes I was guilty of, ‘Man, we’re not scoring any runs, we haven’t won in six days and Miguel Vargas [who’s played in 96 of 100 games] needs a day off, but I can’t give it to him.’
‘‘Just understanding the compound effect of that and how that could affect him down the road is something that I’m negotiating and dealing with. I was able to recalibrate [during the All-Star break].’’
After general manager Chris Getz fired former manager Pedro Grifol, it was paramount that he get the next managerial hire correct. A disconnect had grown in the clubhouse as the losses mounted last season.
Venable largely has been hands-off in the clubhouse. He leaves players to their routines and uses a straightforward approach when communicating with them. Recently, he said the team expected more offensive production from catcher Edgar Quero.
‘‘It kind of gives us free rein to be ourselves and kind of express ourselves without someone on top,’’ right-hander Davis Martin told the Sun-Times.
It’s difficult to quantify a manager’s role in modern baseball because front offices are exerting more influence on day-to-day decisions. But Venable has shown he’s adept at having the pulse of the locker room without being overbearing.
‘‘It’s been all about the process,’’ outfielder Michael A. Taylor told the Sun-Times. ‘‘No matter the result, he understands what we need to do to be a winning organization, and the focus has been on that since Day 1.’’
Taylor acknowledged things happen on the field but said Venable ‘‘puts guys at ease and takes away some of the anxiety.’’
The Sox have won three of their last four road series and are 7-9 in July. They have been more competitive, but there’s still room to improve, considering they’re 8-22 in one-run games.
They already have won more series this season (10) than they did all of last season (nine), and sweeping the Pirates out of the break was a positive step. But it’ll mean little unless they can build on it.