Grifol seeks ‘good effort’ on grounders
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two managers ago, then-White Sox skipper Rick Renteria benched players during spring training for not running hard to first base.
Last season, manager Tony La Russa encouraged players to take it easy while running balls out to preserve their legs.
A case could be made for a middle ground, which is what first-year manager Pedro Grifol wants from the Sox this season. The bottom line? Grifol wants a good effort.
‘‘There’s a level of respect to the game for people who pay to watch the game,’’ Grifol said Tuesday. ‘‘I’m not asking them [on a] ground ball to the pitcher to give me 100% down the line, but give me a good effort. Give me good effort till the play ends. And if it happens to end before you get to first base, OK, then you can shut down a little bit. Just give me good effort.
‘‘Give us, our organization, our culture, the effort that we’re looking for. And that’s what is preached to them.’’
Grifol said that fans deserve it and that kids are watching, ‘‘learning from the way we play the game.’’ When Sox hitters ran half-speed on ground balls last season, it was a bad look.
‘‘I’ve heard all the philosophies in the last four, five years,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘You know, save your legs. But at the same time, you have to respect the game, your teammates and your organization and the fans that come out to watch.’’
Taking 90 feet
The Sox have looked to be aggressive on the bases in the first four games of the spring.
‘‘I envision our team taking advantage of 90 feet whenever it’s given to us,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘Whether it’s on a ball in the dirt, a base hit to the outfield, sometimes you can’t force these things. But when they present themselves, you have to be ready to take it.
‘‘What kind of baserunning team are we going to be? Opportunistic. You give it to us, we’re going to preach taking it. And as far as running hard down the line, that’s expectation.’’
Clevinger, Giolito ‘really strong’
Lance Lynn, who is ahead of the other pitchers because he’s pitching in the World Baseball Classic, is slated for three innings for his second start Thursday before anyone else in the starting rotation makes his first.
Dylan Cease will start Friday.
Mike Clevinger and Lucas Giolito pitched two innings of live batting practice Tuesday.
‘‘I was really, really happy with the way those two guys are throwing the baseball right now,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘They look strong, really strong.’’
Michael Kopech, who is coming off knee surgery at the end of last season to repair a torn meniscus, is scheduled to throw one inning of live batting practice Thursday.
Crochet on track
Left-hander Garrett Crochet, who is on course for a possible return from Tommy John surgery by mid-May, ‘‘looked really good’’ and ‘‘pounded the strike zone’’ in his bullpen session. Crochet won’t pitch in the Cactus League.
‘‘He’s comfortable; his numbers are good,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘I’m really excited where he is right now in his quest back.’’