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Emma: White Sox's Tyler Saladino Making His Mark

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Amid the noise and hype of Chicago's Crosstown Cup series came a quiet and unassuming rookie.

Tyler Saladino walked into the visiting dugout at Wrigley Field that Friday morning without much awareness of the local rivalry. He hardly had a grasp of what had ailed his White Sox throughout the season. Instead, he was just a 26-year-old looking to maximize his chance in the majors.

"It's a blessing, for sure," Saladino said before his big league debut. "I've been dreaming of this my whole life. It means a lot. I want to make the most of it. I'm ready to go."

Lost in a lethargic White Sox season where hustle and effort have often been questioned is a spark plug like Saladino.

Saladino has a seven-game hitting streak going after his first eight career games. He's batting .355 with a pair of homers -- the second of which came Tuesday off Michael Wacha in an 8-5 loss to the Cardinals -- and has an early OPS of .968. His first major-league hit was a triple off the Cubs' Jon Lester.

To put in perspective what Saladino has meant early on for the White Sox, his Fangraphs WAR rating is 0.4 after Tuesday. In just eight games, he ranks third on the team among positional players, only trailing Jose Abreu and Geovany Soto. More well-rounded contributors like Saladino are needed.

Early on, Saladino has become a media darling, thanks to his clutch play and positive demeanor. But when cornered after Chicago's loss to St. Louis on Tuesday, he pointed to a St. Louis base hit that got by him rather than the two-run homer he crushed.

"I won't sleep well because of that," Saladino said. "That's all I'm thinking about."

The White Sox have made Saladino their new everyday third baseman, having designated Conor Gillaspie on Sunday. What a chance for the newcomer.

Preparation is the key for Saladino. He's the first player in the clubhouse before each game and the last to leave every night, getting in extra work on his shoulder that has ailed him in the past. But there's more to it, as well.

Saladino has put in tireless time in the scouting reports, in order to attack opposing pitchers with a poised plan. He's a workhorse, because he simply has to be in order to succeed. Saladino may not be the biggest or best rookie in baseball, but he can make up for that with work.

When Wacha attacked with a 3-2 heater away, Saladino was ready and turned on it for a bomb to the left-field bleachers.

"He has a knowledge of what he's doing," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He adjusts. You can see him take a ball to right field, and the next at-bat, he'll hit a homer. It's just a nice feel for the game and adjustments."

The story of this disappointing White Sox season is defined by the struggling veterans who came to the South Side with such promise. As the season has slipped away, there have been questions of who still carries the desire to compete.

Oddly enough, it's an unheralded, unassuming rookie who has brought the White Sox a competitive edge each game. Saladino's willing to put in the work for each game -- driven by one factor above all to make the most of his major-league chance.

"I just want to win," he said. "That's it."

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.

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