Sox prospect Madrigal: 'I feel ready as ever'
CHICAGO -- A decision will come from the White Sox in the next few days regarding where or if Nick Madrigal fits on the season-opening 30-man roster.
But Madrigal’s definitive thoughts on the matter were delivered without hesitation during a Saturday evening Zoom call.
“I really do want to be a part of this team from the start. I feel like I deserve it,” Madrigal said. “It’s in the hands of the bosses and the coaches and whatever works for them, but I’ve never wanted something so much in my life, just to be a part of this team right now. I feel like I can help this team win on the field.”
“It’s a case by case basis,” said White Sox manager Rick Renteria of Madrigal’s chances to break camp for Friday’s opener. “You consider if it can be harmful or more helpful, but you want to make sure the decision is the best for that young man and the organization going forward.”
Leury García looks to be the White Sox starting second baseman as of this weekend. But both the veteran switch-hitter along with Danny Mendick give the White Sox a more versatile bench with their ability to play across the field, while Madrigal is situated every day at second.
Madrigal, the team’s top pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and No. 40 prospect in the game per MLB Pipeline, looks as if he belongs more at Summer Camp at Guaranteed Rate Field compared to Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Arizona. The 23-year-old didn’t feel as if he was pressing back in March, but he didn’t feel as comfortable as he does now after evaluating his Cactus League performance over the past 3 1/2 months and slowing things down.
“For whatever reason, just things weren’t bouncing my way in Spring Training,” Madrigal said. “This time around, I feel like I’m more relaxed and kind of just enjoying the ride more.
“I’ve always wanted to show everyone what kind of player I am. Usually doesn’t work the best for me on the field. But yeah, this time around kind of enjoying it more and it’s starting to show more on the field.”
During Spring Training, Madrigal was messing around with different weights for his bats. He tested out a heavier bat, but ultimately felt better going back to a lighter bat toward the end of Spring Training. He is using an even lighter bat currently, swinging a 33-30.25.
“So it’s a little bit heavier than years past,” Madrigal said. “I also kind of just got back to my roots and not trying to do too much like I was talking about and not trying to hit the home run or getting too big. Staying with my strengths and I think it’s a combination of all those things.”
“The plan is to continue to develop him, and he’s certainly not too far off from helping our Major League club based on what we are seeing,” said White Sox director of player development Chris Getz. “He’s got skills that you need on a winning ballclub and we are very encouraged with what we are seeing. We look forward to watching him play with the Sox.”
Don’t look for Madrigal to be another long ball threat in this White Sox lineup filled with home run power essentially from top to bottom. But at 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, Madrigal is one of the faster runners on the team. He also will provide great defense at second and with exceptional bat-to-ball skills -- striking out 21 times over 628 Minor League at-bats -- the .309 career Minor League hitter will get on base and be able to manipulate game situations through hit and runs or by hitting behind a runner.
His hope is to be doing all of this starting Friday.
“Yeah 100 percent. I feel as ready as ever right now,” Madrigal said. “I feel like not only my on-the-field play is ready, but my body and speed and everything feels game-ready at this moment.”
“He’s going to be the complete package in terms of a baseball player,” Renteria said. “Putting the bat on the ball, hitting behind runners, able to play defense and having an idea on the bases what he can do, taking advantage of things. Players want to meet expectations, and I think he’s getting more comfortable just being himself.”