The White Sox got to see some of the fruits of their rebuild in action Saturday.
It was only one day, but the future was on display, with recently promoted pieces driving in all the runs in a 4-1 victory over the Royals.
First baseman Tim Elko hit a two-run home run. Infielder Chase Meidroth hit a solo homer. Catcher Edgar Quero drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. And designated hitter Kyle Teel, who was playing in his second big-league game after being called up Friday, had two hits.
None was on the Sox’ Opening Day roster. Two of them came over in the Garrett Crochet trade in December. Three of them have arrived with fanfare celebrating rebuilding milestones.
“They’re coming up here, and they’re ready,” starting pitcher Adrian Houser said after the game. “They’re not timid. They’re not scared of the big lights. Sometimes it gets the best of you, but these guys are coming up here, and they’re ready to go.
“They’re putting the work in every day, and they’re locked in. It’s great to see.”
There’s obviously a long way to go in general manager Chris Getz’s rebuilding project, but to be able to point to guys who are a part of the plans and watch them at the major-league level is a big deal for fans who have suffered through so much losing.
And there’s more where that came from.
“There will be more additions along the way,” Getz said Friday. “To predict who that’s going to be and when that’s going to happen is really hard to do. I know we’re making a lot of progress with players in the minor-league system, and I anticipate that they’re going to be pushing on the door, knocking on the door.”
Hurlin’ Houser
It almost happened again.
Houser has had a nice major-league career, but he’s best known among some fans for throwing up on the field during games, once in 2018 and again in 2019.
At one point in the sixth inning, he crouched on the mound, spurring a visit from the trainer.
After the game, he explained that he almost threw up again.
“I’ve been kind of dealing with some sickness . . . the last few days,” he said. “I was running out of gas there in the last inning, almost had breakfast come up. It would have been the third time.
“I’m sure some Chicago fans wanted to see a puke and rally. But I was able to get past that and get out of the inning.”
Houser was great again for the fourth time since joining the Sox. He allowed one run in six innings and has a 1.48 ERA.
Vaughn check
How are things going for first baseman Andrew Vaughn at Triple-A Charlotte?
In 11 games since being sent down, Vaughn is slashing .233/.340/.349 with a homer and two doubles. That’s not terrific, but it’s much better than his production in the majors this season: .189/.218/.314 in 48 games.
“Andrew is working harder than anyone down in Charlotte,” Getz said. “We’ve got a plan in place in regard to some mechanical adjustments. He’s had some really quality at-bats, taken his walks and is driving the ball.
“He’s not quite where we feel like he can be. With that being said, we know that he’s not too far off, either. . . . We have confidence that he’s going to get there, and we’re going to monitor that closely.”