Vaughn getting DH tips from Thome
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jim Thome, White Sox special assistant to the general manager, Hall of Fame slugger and accomplished designated hitter, has been assigned to keep an eye on Andrew Vaughn this spring training.
And to whisper sweet DH advice in Vaughn’s ear.
The Sox’ DH job has been Vaughn’s to lose this spring, and he has done nothing to do that, showing a polished approach, hitting to all fields and sprinkling two home runs, including a 429-foot bomb, over a .289/.413/.474 hitting line in a team-high 46 plate appearances.
Vaughn hasn’t played above advanced Class A Winston-Salem, but he seems to have the hitting thing down. Manager Tony La Russa has called him “the real deal.”
“He hasn’t made the club yet, but he’s making a very good impression,” La Russa said Saturday.
But being a DH is a different animal, especially for someone who played mostly first base in college and the minor leagues. Enter Thome, a regular presence in uniform during drills and occasionally at games.
“Yeah, that’s the guy I’ve been talking to, going to,” Vaughn said. “He says, ‘Stay warm. Stay ready, got to act like it’s a position.’
“He’s a very awesome man. And so knowledgeable about the game and drills he likes to do. We were working on a drill that he liked when he was with the Indians. Just the way he goes about it, it lifts you up, gives you that positive energy that is pretty special.”
Vaughn says he’s feeling comfortable. Growing speculation that the Sox are working to sign him to a multiyear deal doesn’t seem to be affecting his play.
“You have to do your thing, work on your craft and be yourself,” he said. “I have to be me. Nobody else is me, and I’m nobody else. Doing that is going to help in the long run.”
“You’ve got to be optimistic about him hitting in the big leagues,” La Russa said. “A big advantage for him will be the depth of the lineup. There are some teams hurting for offense . . . and there’s a lot of extra pressure. But here, he’s just got to complement what’s already there.”
Broadcast news
The Sox will have four nationally exclusive broadcasts during the season, starting with ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” April 4 in the opening series at the Angels. Fox will broadcast games on June 19 at Houston, July 17 against the Astros and the “Field of Dreams” game from Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 12 against the Yankees.
ESPN and FS1 will broadcast five outof-market games. ESPN’s “Monday Night Baseball” will air the April 5 game at Seattle, and FS1 will broadcast April 17 at Boston, April 24 vs. the Rangers, May 1 vs. the Indians and June 1 at Cleveland. Those five games will air on NBC Sports Chicago.