COLAS AMONG FIRST SPRING ROSTER CUTS
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — White Sox manager Pedro Grifol made sure to emphasize that Oscar Colas did nothing wrong after he was among the first spring-training roster cuts.
“We saw improvements in every facet of his game,” Grifol said Friday. “His pitch selection and his plate discipline are much improved. I think that he was careful out there in the outfield to not make mistakes.
“Last year, he was running wild; this year, he was really careful. He has to blend that aggressiveness and that carefulness and become that fundamental player that can be electric.”
Colas, who started last year on the major-league roster, will get an opportunity at Triple-A Charlotte to hone the fundamentals. Grifol said Colas, who was seeing some action at first base, will get the opportunity to play the outfield in the minors.
“He’s in the process of working himself into knowing exactly what percentage he needs to be playing baseball at to be powerful and electric,” Grifol said. “That’s why we have the minor leagues. There’s no negatives to him right now. Everything is headed in the right direction.”
Nastrini impressing with command
For right-hander Nick Nastrini, this spring has been about getting to know Sox catchers and coaches. Nastrini started eight games across two minorleague levels for the Sox after being traded from the Dodgers.
In Thursday’s B game at the Reds, Nastrini pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one walk and striking out three.
“I was able to really go to any pitch in any count,” Nastrini told the Sun-Times. “That’s something that in the past I haven’t had in spring training, so it’s nice to have all that in my back pocket this early in the year.”
The Sox hope Nastrini can become a mid-rotation starter for them.
Roster moves
Left-handed prospect Ky Bush, catcher Edgar Quero and left-hander Jake Eder were optioned to minorleague camp.
The Sox also announced they signed right-hander Brad Keller to a minorleague contract.
Keller has spent his career with the Royals and had a 4.57 ERA in 11 games in 2023.
Right-hander Davis Martin is progressing well and continuing to build in his return from Tommy John surgery, Grifol said.