CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
FOR GRIFOL’S SOX, THERE’S MUCH MORE TO LEARN AT MAJOR-LEAGUE LEVEL, WITH COLAS AS PRIME EXAMPLE
MESA, Ariz. — White Sox player development will extend beyond the minor leagues, manager Pedro Grifol said. It has to be that way, even for a team with a postseason vision. Especially for a team with a postseason vision.
With players now coming up sooner than before, less polished and refined, the teaching doesn’t stop. The Sox, for example, are paving the way for prospect Oscar Colas to be their starting right fielder, and he’ll have to learn on the job in the likelihood he breaks camp with the team.
There’s a sense of anticipation as Colas smacks hits to all fields in Cactus League games, “busting his [butt] running down the line,” as Grifol said, and filling out a uniform with his 6-1, 225-pound muscular frame. He looks the part.
But whatever he can add with a home run or some other contribution could easily be subtracted with a rookie mistake. After Colas slapped a single to left field against the Cubs on Friday, left-hander Drew Smyly picked him off first base. A throw by Colas into the infield one-hopped shortstop Erik Gonzalez, and Colas was charged with an error.
“We have to [minimize mistakes] and learn from mistakes on both sides of the ball,” Sox major-league field coordinator Mike Tosar said before the game. “Anything we see that will help his development, we will bring it to his attention.
“He understands we’ll be hitting him from all sides. It’s constructive — it’s nothing against him. It’s to enhance his development and get his career going.”
Colas has this going for him, Grifol said: He wants to get it right, he gets down on himself when he gets something wrong, and he asks questions.
“He is really trying hard, and by trying hard, he’s making some mistakes,” Grifol said.
Which is fine, he added. That’s how he’ll learn. Colas’ secondary leadoffs have already improved noticeably since the first week of Cactus League play. But there also have been minor baserunning missteps — perhaps not blatant but evident — and some things in the outfield, such as backups or getting caught flat-footed. Nothing glaring, but little things mean a lot and often are the difference in giving up 90 feet on the basepaths.
“The things that people might not see or think are not important, we’re addressing,” Grifol said. “Everything is important.”
At 24, Colas is no kid. He played in Cuba, in Japan’s minor leagues and at all levels of the Sox’ system, but appeared in just seven games at the highest level, Triple-A, where he posted good numbers.
“Development does not stop in the major leagues — as a matter of fact, it probably increases because there is a lot more to it, a lot more at stake here,” Grifol said. “So we have to continue to develop him and every young player that gets to the big leagues.”
When the Sox played Team Colombia on Thursday, Colas had a rare day out of the lineup but stood next to Tosar in the dugout for six innings. Class was in session.
“He was going over pitch selection, thought process, backing up bases, watching other guys taking secondary leads,” Tosar said. “So it’s an ongoing thing.”
Development isn’t limited to the younger players, Tosar said. Veterans, who can be set in their ways, also have been open to Grifol and new coaches Tosar, Jose Castro, Charlie Montoyo, Eddie Rodriguez and Chris Johnson.
“Veteran guys are still learning, especially the good ones,” Tosar said. “I’ve had some really good conversations with [shortstop] Elvis [Andrus], things I mentioned that were eye-opening for him. He’s doing some new stuff in the cage that we mentioned. We’re here for them. Whatever we can do to make them better.” ✶