QUIET . . . RIOT
Sox-Cubs matchup a joy to behold as eerily empty Wrigley Field hosts first major sporting event in Chicago since shutdown in March
Nick Madrigal’s confidence is back.
‘‘I feel as ready as ever right now,’’ he said.
It looks like his game is back, too. After a so-so performance during spring training in February and March, the White Sox’ anointed second baseman of the future has done more to distinguish himself during summer camp. He has played like the alert infielder with exceptional contact rates at the plate the Sox thought they were getting when they drafted him fourth overall out of Oregon State in 2018.
Lacking power in an age when almost everyone is knocking the ball over the wall, Madrigal has been slapping mostly singles in Sox intrasquad games — although he doubled down the left-field line Saturday against right-hander Lucas Giolito. But the 5-8, 175-pound Madrigal makes enough contact, fields well enough and does enough things on the ‘‘smart ballplayer’’ ledger to earn his keep.
To wit: In one sequence last week, Madrigal punched a ground ball through the vacated right side of the infield on a hit-and-run play, then successfully tagged up from first on a fly ball to strong-armed center fielder Luis Robert. Madrigal saw Robert’s momentum taking him toward deep right-center and alertly advanced into scoring position. On the defensive side, he threw out Yermin Mercedes at the plate with a perfect throw on a ground ball while playing at medium depth.
‘‘No matter what team I’ve ever been on throughout my life, I’ve tried to be one of the leaders and tried to really understand every part of the game — not just my position, but the other guys’ around me,’’ Madrigal said.
‘‘I feel like I’ve studied and studied baseball throughout my life, and I understand when the game’s speeding up on some people. If it’s the pitchers that need someone to go and just relax them or talk to them, I feel comfortable going out there. No matter if it’s at the majorleague level here or in college, I’ve always been that guy to go out there and kind of slow things down.
‘‘There’s so much to baseball, a lot more than fans think. It’s more than, ‘See the ball, hit the ball, throw the ball.’ It’s so much of the mental game that people don’t realize.’’
Madrigal’s spring might have had something to do with things going on in his own head that created self-imposed pressure. High expectations can do that.
‘‘This time around, I’m more relaxed and just enjoying the ride more,’’ he said.
Madrigal, who has struck out only 21 times in 163 minor-league games, already has been called ‘‘a pain in my [butt]’’ by Giolito.
‘‘He’s the type of player that can have an impact on our club right now,’’ Giolito said.
With service-time issues at play, it might behoove the Sox to hold Madrigal back a week or so into the season before bringing him up.
Fair or not, it’s the nature of the business of baseball, and Leury Garcia — who started in the first preseason game Sunday against the Cubs — remains the favorite to open the season at second Friday against the Twins.
‘‘I really do want to be a part of this team from the start,’’ Madrigal said. ‘‘I feel like I deserve it. But it’s in the hands of the bosses and the coaches, and whatever works for them. I’ve never wanted something so much in my life, just to be a part of this team right now, and I feel like
I can help this team win on the field.
‘‘It should come out in the next couple of days. I’m excited to see what they say.’’
If Madrigal doesn’t get the answer he wants, he’ll join the Sox’ taxi squad in Schaumburg.
‘‘We’re going to look at everything with these guys,’’ manager Rick Renteria said. ‘‘They have shown us with their experience and ability the things they need to do to fill that spot at second base. Certainly, all of them are in the mix.’’