Céspedes gets ‘chills’ as he heads to Futures Game
Yoelqui Céspedes described it as a “good surprise.”
The outfielder will represent the White Sox organization Sunday in the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field in Denver (2 p.m., MLB Network). The event showcases some of the top prospects in the minor leagues.
“It means a lot,” Céspedes said through an interpreter during a recent conference call. “I wasn’t expecting that. I think you feel honor when you see your name in that game, just with the name of the game: Futures All-Star.
“That’s something that gives you chills. That’s recognition to all the work and effort that I’ve been putting on and off the field.”
The original American League Futures roster also included Jake Burger, but the White Sox called up the third baseman from Triple-A Charlotte on July 2.
Céspedes is the No. 2 prospect in the Sox organization, according to MLB.com. Playing for Class A Winston-Salem, he has a .229/.308/.486 slash line with four home runs and seven RBIs in 17 games.
“Since the beginning, I felt good,” Céspedes said. “Comfortable. But now here in the game, I’m sometimes a little anxious. I’ve been trying to adjust as quickly as possible as part of the learning process. To have to make those adjustments during the game, that’s the part I’ve been working at overall. I usually feel pretty good at home plate. The learning part of making adjustments, that’s where I’m working right now.
“It has been a good experience. It has been good because it’s the first time I played with a professional team. I have good teammates, people here treating me well. I like that.”
Céspedes, who is from Yara, Cuba, was rated the No. 1-ranked international prospect when he and the Sox came to terms on a deal that included a $2.05 million signing bonus in January.
He is the younger half-brother of former New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Céspedes.
“It’s been totally different, different lifestyle,” Céspedes said. “But it hasn’t been that traumatic. My brother has his whole family and that has been good for me. Between Cubans, between countrymen, it’s always easier to adjust and to experience new things.”
Céspedes hit his first home run on June 26 at Asheville, a two-run blast in the first inning.
“I’ve been feeling more calm, comfortable,” he said. “At first, I was swinging at a lot of pitches out of the strike zone. Now I’m being more aggressive and selective with pitches in the strike zone.”
It’s an approach he hopes to display Sunday.
“It’s definitely a good feeling and makes you feel pretty proud, and I’m going to do my best,” Céspedes said.