Grifol, White Sox aim to prove preseason projections wrong

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox manager Pedro Grifol was fired up following the team's first workout of Spring Training at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday, the official report day for pitchers and catchers.

And he wasn’t just excited by the work put in by his charges on Day 1.

During his media session, Grifol took umbrage with the PECOTA Baseball Prospectus’ projections featuring a 65.7 win total for the 2024 White Sox when asked about the subject. Grifol isn’t someone who usually looks at these sorts of things, but PECOTA’s 0.0 percent chance for the White Sox to win the American League Central caught his eye.

“That motivates the heck out of me. I know it's a little bit of a talk in [the clubhouse],” Grifol said. “This is a division that obviously no one is scheduled to run away with, so why not us?

“We're here. We've got to play 162 games. If we were out of it already, then why play? We're not out of it. We've got 162 games to play. We've got close to 40 days to prepare for those 162 games. I know they've got to do their job and the percentages are the percentages. Our job is to prove them wrong."

The A’s, Angels, Nationals and Rockies were also given a 0.0 chance to win their respective divisions. Grifol’s controlled ire shows strong support for his team, which is admirable and expected, but in reality, the White Sox don’t look to be a prime contender on paper.

Of course, no playoff berth was ever earned on paper.

"It's got to be motivating everybody in the building,” Grifol said. “If it's not, you've got to check yourself at that door. I don't know if it's the right place for you.

“Zero point zero percent after turning over a roster the way we've turned it over and new front office members and new coaches and new vibe and energy in the work that was done in the offseason? It's good. It's good to hang up on the wall."

New additions

Right-handers Corey Knebel and Dominic Leone agreed to Minor League deals with the White Sox on Tuesday while infielder Mike Moustakas agreed to terms on a Minor League deal on Wednesday night. All three will be in camp as non-roster invitees. The White Sox have 69 players in camp, including 29 NRIs.

Moustakas, 35, had a .247/.293/.392 slash line in 2023 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs across 112 total games with the Rockies and Angels. The left-handed hitter won a World Series with the Royals with Grifol and Getz in 2015.

“Knebel is a guy who knows what it feels like at the end of games,” Grifol said. “He’s had really, really good success back there, and is comfortable back there. And the same thing with Leone. Not as much as Knebel as far as the ninth is concerned but he’s pitched in leverage a lot.

“You’re talking about those two guys and Jesse Chavez, who threw a bullpen today; and if you watch him execute his 25-30 pitches, you know why he’s been in the game so long. Seventeen years, right? We’re talking about young guys who are really excited mixed in there with guys who’ve done it and played for some playoff teams and championship teams and we’re excited to put it all together.”

De-fense

Count Dylan Cease, the White Sox expected Opening Day starter, among the many who applaud general manager Chris Getz’s offseason focus on defensive upgrades.

“It’s huge,” Cease said. “If you’re trying to play fundamental baseball and win close games, obviously the defense is super important.

“We have a lot of guys now who have really good defensive reputations. I think it’s going to be a lot cleaner baseball.”

Third to first

• Pitching coach Ethan Katz is away from the team due to a family matter.

• Grifol praised his players for coming into camp truly prepared. “These guys came in really strong and understand that there is competition here, which is a great thing for anyone individually and as an organization,” Grifol said.

• Michael Kopech was one of the pitchers to throw a bullpen Wednesday.