Chicago is becoming overwhelmed with Calebs. The Bears have Caleb Williams, and the Bulls have Caleb Wilson. In a year or two, the White Sox might have Caleb Bonemer.
He’ll represent the Sox in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday in Philadelphia. The 20-year-old infielder is the Sox’ top-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com. The club promoted him to Double-A Birmingham last month, and he continues to produce at the plate, posting a .772 OPS with three home runs in 18 games.
“My strength as a hitter is pulling the baseball in the air,” Bonemer said Wednesday. “This year, I’ve been able to hit a few homers. That’s definitely been my strong suit. I think when I’m going well, I can hit for average and hit for power. My strength this year has been the slugging; homers, extra-base hits.”
That came after he added strength on the recommendation of Sox director of hitting Ryan Fuller.
“This year, I got a little bit bigger,” said Bonemer, who’s listed at 6-1, 195 pounds. “Some of my homers, I kind of mis-hit balls, and I’m stronger so they’re able to go out. I just try to be a complete hitter, and then the homers will come.”
They sure came at High-A Winston-Salem, where Bonemer hit 18 in 61 games this season with a .937 OPS before being promoted.
“It’s gone pretty good so far,” he said of his time in Birmingham. “Just trying to repeat what I’ve been doing. I’m not really trying to change a whole lot. Even if I have a rough game, just still trying to go out there and do what I know works.”
Maybe having another Caleb in town will work. Asked if he’s aware of the trend, Bonemer replied, “I know Caleb Williams.”
It’s a start.
Murakami update
Munetaka Murakami came out unscathed from his first rehab game Tuesday for Charlotte. On Wednesday, he had an RBI double in his first at-bat and played first base into the seventh inning.
“Good reports that he recovered well, came out of it nicely,” Sox manager Will Venable said of Murakami’s first game, “and obviously a good job in the field.”
Whether two games are enough for Murakami and the Sox remains to be seen. Both are taking it day by day. Venable has said Murakami might need only a couple of games before returning. That could happen Friday, which would mark six weeks since he strained his right hamstring.
Another start for Junior
White Sox rookie outfielder Junior Perez got consecutive starts for only the second time this season, thanks to the Red Sox starting left-handers on consecutive days. He has played in only 14 games since being called up June 18, but he has Venable’s support.
“Really good tool set where he’s playing above-average defense at multiple positions,” Venable said. “He can run, he can throw, really a good swing-decision guy. We’ve seen the power.
“The way that he is in the clubhouse, the way that he’s engaging with our coaches, there’s a ton of aptitude there, where he’s making adjustments and doing everything he can to get better. Real big fan of JP.”
Martin missing the zone
Davis Martin’s struggles continued. He allowed five runs and six hits in four innings against the Red Sox, even with the benefit of extra rest after the off day Monday. Last Thursday, Martin allowed two runs, six hits and five walks in only 3 ⅓ innings.
Not long ago, the right-hander was considered an All-Star candidate. He was 9-2 with a 2.41 ERA after holding the Braves scoreless for six innings with no walks June 10. But he has lost the strike zone since, walking 14 in his next five starts.