3 spots to watch as spring training begins

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz is looking forward to a number of things as pitchers and catchers arrive for the first spring training Tuesday.

That list includes watching the continued development of reliever Grant Taylor, seeing what year two looks like for Shane Smith and Mike Vasil, and what kind of progress Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz have made before camp.

“We’re really happy with the direction we’re heading in,” Getz said Monday at Camelback Ranch. “And bringing everyone together in this building right now, working toward what we want to accomplish here in the future, is really valuable and rewarding and exciting for the next steps of the Chicago White Sox.”

Getz said manager Will Venable is focused on starting from scratch as preparation begins toward Opening Day.

“We feel really good about where we’re at, the room is excited, they’re hungry,” Getz said. “But we have to play good baseball and that’s why we’re here in spring training, to really set the stage for that.”

With spring training beginning, here are three positions to watch.

Recipient

Edgar Quero made a team-leading 66 starts behind the plate last season after being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on April 17.

Kyle Teel wasn’t far behind, making 57 starts after joining the Sox from Charlotte on June 6.

Finding the right balance is crucial as players continue to develop.

Quero and Teel appeared more often in the same lineup later in the season, one catching and the other serving as a designated hitter, particularly after the Sox recalled Korey Lee from Charlotte to give the team another catching option off the bench.

“The catching position is very demanding, physically, mentally, everything that it involves,” Getz said. “Being able to have different options to keep our guys productive and healthy throughout the season is really important. When you talk about those three receivers, they’re guys that complement each other.

“Obviously more playing time, more reps behind the plate and at the plate are beneficial, but most importantly, you want to keep these guys healthy and productive. So having different options is a good thing.”

The Sox will be without Teel for part of spring training when he competes with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

“You come to spring training, these guys are going to be able to do a lot of different work,” Getz said. “You have games in the backfield, you have split teams. So we’ll be able to balance the offense so everyone feels ready to go on opening day.”

Start the pitch

Smith was one of the standout players last spring, earning a spot in the rotation. He carried that good spring into the regular season, later receiving an All-Star Game nomination.

Smith aims to build on his rookie season as part of a rotation that will feature at least one new member. Davis Martin returns while Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon look to build consistency after some ups and downs in 2025.

Anthony Kay joins the mix after signing a two-year contract during the offseason. The left-hander has spent the last two seasons pitching in Japan. Lefties Sean Newcomb and Chris Murphy are also possibilities. The Sox signed Newcomb to a one-year contract in December and acquired Murphy in a trade with the Boston Red Sox in November.

The White Sox and Red Sox made another trade on February 1, bringing pitchers Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin to Chicago.

And then there are pitchers recovering from injuries, like Drew Thorpe, and prospects aiming to eventually take the next step with Schultz, Smith and Tanner McDougal.

“We think we’ve been able to add a lot of depth, whether it’s guys coming back here, some outside additions through trade, some free agents,” Getz said. “We know that going through a full season takes a lot of pitchers, starting pitchers and relievers. We have some versatility there.

“We’re always going to look for opportunities to add. We have a young group of pitchers that, it’s a big load to go through a full season. It gives us a little more flexibility when you have arms coming into an organization that’s already done it.”

The Sox continued to work on their pitching depth Monday, as a source confirmed the team has signed Erick Fedde to a one-year contract – pending physical.

Center field

Getz sees a lot of potential in Luisangel Acuña.

“He can play all over the field,” Getz said. “He’s a solid defender, baserunner, switch-hitter. He can do a lot of different things to help you win.”

Acuña will be an option for center field after being acquired by the Sox in the January trade that sent their former center fielder, Luis Robert Jr., to the New York Mets.

“He’s going to play a lot of center field here,” Getz said. “But we’re also not closing the door on the infield (having made starts at second, third and shortstop in the majors).

“He’s a guy that has the ability to play everywhere, so he’s definitely a guy to watch.”