Vaughn playing beyond his years
First base prospect looks impressive during camp
Chicago White Sox first base prospect Andrew Vaughn has spent some time during summer camp at third. It has aided his footwork and made him more agile in the infield.
Vaughn is comfortable moving around, having played second, shortstop and the outfield when he was younger. He even pitched.
All of that is to say Vaughn’s up for any challenge.
“Whatever they want me to do, I’m all for it,” he said Monday during a conference call.
Well, maybe not venturing back on the mound.
“If I went out there, I would probably throw, but I might not get back off the mound because they might hit a couple homers off me,” Vaughn joked. “I am going to stay off the bump if I can.”
Forget pitching. Vaughn’s focus is on doing damage at the plate.
The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft has adapted quickly to pro baseball. He had a .278/ .384/.449 slash line with 17 doubles, six home runs and 36
RBIs in 55 games between the Arizona Rookie League and Class A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem last season. He reached base safely in 49 of the 55 games.
Vaughn, 22, was one of 27 non-roster invitees to spring training, where he hit .304 with one home run and five RBIs in 13 Cactus League games before baseball’s break due to the coronavirus pandemic. Friday he hit his second homer in eight intrasquad games at summer camp.
“He’s a professional,” Sox bench coach Joe McEwing said Sunday. “He knows what he wants to do when he gets in the box. Nothing is sped up on him. The way he’s able to control his body in the batter’s box, he could be on time for 105 (mph) or he could be on time for 85. And it’s impressive to see at such a young age how consistent of an approach mentally and physically in the box that he’s able to withstand.
“He’s a special talent, and we are fortunate that he’s in this organization and can help us for many years to come.”
Vaughn is the No. 2 prospect in the organization and No. 16 in all of baseball, according to MLB.com. Sox director of player development Chris Getz has been impressed with how Vaughn has fared against elite pitching.
“Can’t say that I’m surprised, just because he’s that talented of a hitter,” Getz said Tuesday. “The way he puts together at-bats, the way he works his approach from pitch to pitch, and he’s been able to capitalize on some pitches as well.
“The most important thing right now is getting comfortable in a major-league stadium with major-league teammates. The results here initially have been really impressive, and we hope to build off of them.”
Vaughn is taking advantage of all summer camp has had to offer.
“It’s amazing,” Vaughn said. “I’m just glad to be playing baseball right now. A lot of guys around the country don’t get to put spikes on and get on a field, so I’m just soaking this in and taking it day by day. It’s been a blast.
“Being on the field for the first time was pretty unbelievable. I remember being here in September and the atmosphere was just amazing. It’s really unfortunate that, with what’s going on now, we won’t get to have fans, but it’s been a blast.”
Vaughn’s activities while baseball was on pause included going to Sacramento, Calif., to take some swings against teammate Lucas Giolito.
“Getting to see that helped prepare me for this,” Vaughn said.
The learning has continued with tips from several veteran teammates at summer camp.
“The biggest thing is mindset, having the drive to know we’re going to play, to be ready at the right time,” Vaughn said. “This camp has been phenomenal. Getting the chance to work around the field, getting to hit and know the guys on the big-league club is definitely beneficial to me.”