Paul Konerko #14 of the Chicago White Sox signs autographs prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants on Monday, February 25, 2013 at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Giants and White Sox played to a 9-9 tie. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
PHOENIX (AP) — Chicago White Sox prospect Scott Snodgress’ first trip to major league camp may be brief but it’s also been fruitful.
Snodgress made his first and likely only start of the spring Thursday, throwing three solid innings in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
“It’s been an awesome experience. It’s really a dream come true,” said Snodgress, who was drafted in the fifth round by the White Sox in 2011 and has become one of the franchise’s top 10 prospects.
“I’ve learned a lot and talked to a lot of guys who have played a long time. It’s been a great experience.”
Snodgress allowed two hits, including Khris Davis’ two-run homer in the second inning, walked a batter and struck out one in his second appearance. The lanky left-hander had thrown a scoreless inning of relief against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It felt a lot more comfortable for me,” said Snodgress, who was 7-3 across 141 innings for two Single-A teams last year. “That’s pretty much what I’ve done my whole career in pro ball. I got to get back into my routine.”
Snodgress’ opportunity came in large part because of the extended spring caused by the World Baseball Classic. White Sox manager Robin Ventura is expected to begin using his projected starting rotation Friday.
“We’re getting an extended look at guys we probably wouldn’t get to see,” said Ventura. “(Snodgress) had the one pitch he got up that got hit pretty hard. But other than that it was a good outing.”
Snodgress wasn’t the only prospect making an impression. White Sox right fielder Keenyn Walker, another of Chicago’s top minor leaguers, was 1 for 3 with two runs scored, stole a base and threw out Jonathan Lucroy at the plate with a near-perfect throw.
Davis hit his first home run for the Brewers and right-hander Wily Peralta allowed two hits in two scoreless innings in his first spring appearance.
“I was out of rhythm a little bit, but it was pretty good,” said Peralta, who complained of stiffness in his right arm after his first bullpen session, leading to a slowdown of his routine. “Early in camp you’re throwing a lot and you feel a little tired. Today, it feels great. It’s a long spring training and my arm feels good.”
Josh Prince also homered for the Brewers, who snapped a five-game losing streak.
Josh Bell went deep in the ninth for the White Sox, who lost for the first time in six games.
NOTES: Peralta went 7-11 with a 4.66 ERA in 28 starts for Triple-A Nashville last season but was 6-3 with a 3.32 over his final 15 starts. . Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez went 0 for 2 to extend his hitless streak to nine at-bats. . Alejandro De Aza went 2 for 3 for the White Sox and is 4 for 10 this spring. De Aza, who will represent the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, also was caught stealing second after reaching on a bunt single in the fifth. . LHP Tom Gorzelanny makes his spring debut for Milwaukee on Friday against Colorado, the first of several relievers slated to cover the nine innings. Gorzelanny signed a two-year, $5.7-million contract in December after posting a 2.88 ERA in 45 appearances for Washington last season. . LHP Chris Sale, who was a team leading 17-8 last year, will get his first official action of the spring Friday against Cleveland.
(© 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)
