Levine: Struggling White Sox Hitters Take Early Batting Practice

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago White Sox have managed to win eight of their first 13 games with negligible offensive production. Outside of two subpar outings by John Danks and one awful start by Carlos Rodon on Monday, the pitching has carried the team in the early part of this baseball season.

Chicago's starting new players at five different positions this season. Of those, only second baseman Brett Lawrie (.286) is hitting above .231 as far as the newcomers go.

"It's important to have a well-rounded feel," manager Robin Ventura sadi. "I think that is one thing these guys understand. You learn you don't have to have everything going for you at all of the time. You can find other things to help you win. There have been little things along the way already that have been good signs, just little things that have happened to help us win close games."

Early batting practice was the choice of many of the slumping White Sox hitters before Tuesday's home contest against the Angels.

"We need it," Ventura said, half-kidding. "Guys feel like they want to come out and do some stuff. You feel like you need it, you should take it. If you feel like you should do it just to mentally get yourself there that day, do it."

The White Sox aren't in panic mode, but scoring fewer than three runs a game is starting to be a daily subject they would like to not have to address. Chicago scored the fewest runs in the American League in 2015 was also outscored by 13 of the 15 National League clubs, who didn't have the advantage of the designated hitter in the lineup every day.

"No team ever hits on all cylinders at all times," said outfielder Adam Eaton, who leads the team in hitting at .347. "It's not realistic to be doing that all the way through. When you don't hit it, you pitch it. We hopefully will turn the tide here at home and give the pitchers a breather."

Returning for its first extended homestand, Chicago should find more comfort. The White Sox have six more games this week at U.S. Cellular Field.

"We will get going," said third baseman Todd Frazier, who was mired in a 2-for-23 slump. "This is just one of those stretches where you would rather have it early than later in the year. Everybody is upbeat. I am upbeat, just the way it goes. The first 50 at-bats, you can just wash them out of the door. Nothing you can do now, just attack it and go about your business."

There's no panic in the White Sox front office or in the dugout at this juncture when it comes to the team's offensive woes.

"I have confidence in these guys," Ventura said. "There have been quite a few guys who are notorious for this (slow starts). In their mind, I don't think they are going down that road of feeling sorry for themselves. I don't think they feel it will last too long."

Ventura's cure for the hitting blues?

"They have been swinging outside of the zone," he said. "Just be yourself and don't do too much as far as trying to overdo it."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.