■ Tim Anderson says White Sox have a “winning vibe.”
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Here are three takeaways from White Sox spring training Saturday.
1. Andrew Vaughn is soaking up all spring training has to offer.
Last year at this time, Andrew Vaughn was playing college baseball at California.
This spring the first baseman is participating in White Sox camp as a nonroster invitee.
“It’s kind of weird,” Vaughn said Saturday. “Last night I was watching Cal play on the live stream and I was like, ‘I was just doing that.’ And now I’m fortunate enough to be in big-league camp. I couldn’t be more humbled.”
The Sox selected Vaughn with the third pick in the 2019 draft. The 21-year-old is the No. 16 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
Vaughn slashed .278/.384/.449 with six home runs and 36 RBIs in 55 games at three minor-league stops last year.
His first hit after his promotion to high-A Winston-Salem was a home run.
“That was pretty special,” Vaughn said of the home run. “The first hit, that was pretty cool.”
Vaughn picked up a lot of lessons during those 55 games.
“I learned (to) take care of your body, get in the weight room and learn how to pace yourself,” Vaughn said. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There are a lot of games.”
Vaughn has used the early portions of spring training to get into a good routine.
“Getting in early, getting my work in, getting in the gym, getting in the cage,” Vaughn said. “Just getting it all done.” His goals for the spring?
“I want to go out and be the best I can be,” Vaughn said. “Whenever my name gets called upon to play, I’m going to go do my best and just soak it in and enjoy it.”
2. Tim Anderson notices a ‘winning vibe’ in the clubhouse.
Shortstop Tim Anderson made huge strides at the plate in 2019, winning the major-league batting title with a .335 average.
With all the moves the Sox made in the offseason, he’s thrilled about the possibility of the team making a leap in 2020.
“I was excited,” Anderson said when asked about the team’s acquisitions. “That let me know that we were ready to take that next step, and I’ve been ready since I stepped into that locker room. So I was excited when we signed some more guys.”
It’s reflective of the vibe he senses in the clubhouse.
“I get a winning vibe, all positive and winning vibes,” Anderson said. “Everybody knows what we are here to do. We are here to win a championship. …
“Everybody is on that vibe.”
3. Yasmani Grandal’s communication skills were on display with Michael Kopech.
Micheal Kopech threw a bullpen session Saturday with Yasmani Grandal behind the plate, and the two chatted briefly afterward.
“They talk a lot about what just happened in the work that they did and the adjustments that maybe they see they might be able to get done,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “(Grandal is) kind of another guy who can see a lot of things from behind the plate. And more than anything, becoming more familiar with the personalities.
“You can see (Kopech), the ball coming out of his hand really good (Saturday). You could also see him getting himself frustrated when he missed a location or something, which is natural. (He’s) very competitive. They’re just starting to get a feel for each other, and it’s pretty nice to see.”
Renteria likes how Kopech is progressing. The right-hander missed all last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“He looks like he’s understanding a lot more about who he is,” Renteria said. “I think he’s understanding also there’s a controlled aggression you can take when you’re doing your work. And it’s evident in his work. He’s growing up, he’s learning. He’s going to be really good.”