Hoge's Spring Training Notebook: Escobar Likely To Make White Sox
By Adam Hoge -
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- It appears rookie infielder Eduardo Escobar will stay with the White Sox when the team breaks camp next week.
The White Sox reassigned OF Jordan Danks, INF Jim Gallagher, INF Dan Johnson, INF Dallas McPherson, C Josh Phegley and INF Tyler Saladino to minor-league camp Tuesday morning, leaving Escobar and Ray Olmedo competing for the last infielder spot on the major league roster.
"I'm really excited," Escobar said Wednesday. "I thank God for the opportunity in the organization. I've been working very hard and will continue to do that. I think that being here as long as I have, making the cut, shows the hard work that I've been doing."
Escobar was a September call-up last season and is batting .471 this spring while playing well defensively at second base, third base and shortstop. It would be surprising if he didn't get the nod over Olmedo, but the infielder acknowledged that he hasn't received final word from Robin Ventura or Kenny Williams yet. Both players are in Tuesday's lineup against the Cleveland Indians.
"You could say I'm a natural shortstop, but by the same token, the more reps and practices I get in the different positions, the more comfortable I feel," Escobar said Tuesday. "(Playing all three infield positions) gives me the opportunity to highlight what I can do."
Today At Camelback
Jake Peavy and Jesse Crain will both face White Sox minor leaguers Tuesday morning. It's Peavy's day to start, but the team doesn't want him facing AL Central foe Cleveland. Zach Stewart will get the start against the Indians instead. Crain will pitch for the first time since March 12. He's been battling a strained oblique.
Here's today's White Sox lineup against the Indians as Stewart faces Ubaldo Jimenez:
1. Alejando De Aza - CF
2. Brent Lillibridge - RF
3. Adam Dunn - 1B
4. Paul Konerko - DH
5. Kosuke Fukudome - LF
6. Brent Morel - 3B
7. A.J. Pierzynski - C
8. Eduardo Escobar - SS
9. Ray Olmedo - 2B
For more White Sox spring training coverage from Glendale, Ariz, click here. Find all of Adam Hoge's spring training blogs here and follow him on Twitter (@AdamHogeCBS).
