Dayan Viciedo. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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(WSCR) Finally, the White Sox are starting to see the production from Dayan Viciedo they hoped for when the team signed him to a four-year, $10 million deal out of Cuba in 2008.
Through 46 games, Viciedo has 11 home runs, 27 RBIs and a .280 batting average – all while learning to play left field.
“We keep forgetting that this kid has a lot on his plate,” White Sox hitting coach Jeff Manto told The Mully and Hanley Show. “He’s learning a new position and he learning a new position at the Major League level. It’s not easy to do. He’s done a great job. Because he got comfortable out there, now he’s comfortable at the plate, following his plan. He recognizes his strengths and he’s staying with it. Now, we’re seeing a by-product of some really good preparation by the Tank.
LISTEN: Jeff Manto on The Mully and Hanley Show
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“Early in April, when we saw him struggle, statistically like a lot of hitters do, he was just trying to figure out the pitch selection, what they were doing to him and now that he has an idea of what to do and what people are trying to do, it makes his job a lot easier.”
The White Sox have also seen the resurgence of Alex Rios after he hit just .227 in 2011.
“With Alex Rios, obviously his potential is out of sight,” Manto said. “What we had to do was go in slowly. What we asked him to do is not easy and it takes time. Alex bought into it. We made sure we didn’t a lot on his plate because it’s not easy to hit in the big leagues. When you’re asking somebody to make changes, you really have to be patient.”
