The Lakers Riots, Stephen Strasburg, and Father’s Day are all minor news to Chicago White Sox fans today. The White Sox have re-called Babe Ruth…the Cuban Babe Ruth that to HOPEFULLY providing a bigger spark to their offense and put more tick marks in win column. Will the move last, or will Viciedo be deported back to AAA fast than you can say: “fried plantain?”
By: Soxman
No here’s a move I’ve been waiting to see for two years now. Finally in all that will hopefully be the next Kendry Morales, (minus the broken leg), Sox fans will get a taste of the Sox topping slugging prospect in the minor leagues, Dayan Viciedo.
After a strong performance at AAA, the Chicago White Sox recalled infielder Dayan Viciedo from Class AAA Charlotte and designated struggling infielder Jayson Nix for assignment.
To reduce pressure on him and to likely help build his confidence, he will not start against rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg when the White Sox kick off a three-game series against the Washington National’s this evening.
Viciedo, 21, is hitting .290 (69-238) with 14 home runs, 34 RBI and a .525 slugging percentage in 62 games with Charlotte this season.
Despite playing only ten of his 61 games this season at the hot corner, Viciedo should get a chance of earning regular playing time at third base at least until Mark Teahen returns from the disabled list with a broken thumb.
If he proves ready to hit major league pitching, he could play most games, being replaced in the late innings by Omar Vizquel or Brent Lillibridge for defensive purposes.
If Viciedo really gets hot, Ozzie Guillen could consider leaving him at third base and returning Mark Teahen to the super utility player roll that earned him full-time at-bats with the Royals in 2009.
As the sox offense has come on lately, it still ranks as one of the worst in the majors, so fans would love for Ozzie to have that option.
Viciedo ranks fourth in the International League in home runs and 10th in slugging percentage. He homered in each of his last three games with the Knights and was 11-28 (.393) over his last eight contests, so the Sox at the very least are hoping to catch him while he’s hot. Simply, they would not re-call him in the middle of such a streak, if they were not intending on giving him a serious chance to prove he’s ready for the show.
Signed as a free agent on December 12, 2008, the native of Remedios, Cuba is a .283 (210-742) hitter with 26 home runs and 112 RBI in 192 games over two seasons in the Sox minor-league system. His defense and lack of an opening have been the only things holding him back thus far. Long-term Viciedo projects as a first baseman\DH type of player.
Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 7 Prospect in the Sox organization, Viciedo was a Southern League All-Star at Class AA Birmingham in 2009 and played in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis. He’s played 1B, #B, OF, and DH in the White Sox farm system.
At age 21 years old, he will become the third-youngest White Sox player since 2000 to make his major-league debut behind pitcher Jon Garland infielder Pedro Lopez in 2005.
Always considered a prospect waiting to bust out in the Rockies farm system, Nix failed when handed the everyday starting job in the majors hitting .125 in 55 ABs in 2008.
Given new life with the White sox in 2009, Nix hit .224, 12 HR, 32 RBI , 10 SB in only 255 ABs, while playing serviceable defense at 2B, SS, 3B, and the outfield.
In 2010, Nix struggled immensely all season and failed to show any signs of offensive life after being given regular playing time when Teahen was injured. Nix hit only 163 (8-49) with one homer and five RBI this season.
As stated at the Sportbank earlier in the week, Williams appears to be looking within for answers rather than making trades and is not ready to give up on chasing the Twins yet.