GLENDALE, Ariz. - Spring training usually is a time for
hitters and pitchers to tinker, but Alex Rios might be an exception this
spring.
After finding videotape of his batting stance that helped
produce 90 doubles in 2007 and 2008 with Toronto, Rios could rejuvenate his
career with the alignment he used to rip a single and a home run Monday in the
White Sox's 5-3 loss to Seattle.
The 6-foot-5 Rios, 29, appears more comfortable in his
first spring with the Sox since coming over from Toronto in a waiver claim. The
success with the wide stance he used two years ago will only fuel his
confidence and take off any lingering pressure he felt last year to carry the
offensive load with the Sox.
"I trying to keep things simple and just hit the ball
where the location is," Rios said.
In his first at-bat, Rios ripped a single past Chris
Woodward and then lined a solo home run to left center in the fifth. If Rios
continues to hit to manager Ozzie Guillen's comfort, he could move up in the
batting order to take advantage of his speed.
"We had our meeting this morning when Walk (hitting coach
Greg Walker) went about Rios," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He was kind of
excited. He said this guy is not too far away from getting his thing going. It's
nice to see him doing that, to build confidence in himself, be with the club
and don't have to be the guy. And hopefully that's going to help him rest of
spring training and help him build his confidence back from what happened last
year."
Rios played center field for the first time and made one
putout. He had been sidelined by a sore right shoulder that he said normally occurs
in early spring.
Despite heavy rain that fell on the Valley for most of
Sunday and early Monday, the Sox were fortunate to play an eight-inning B game
with the Los Angeles Dodgers and their regularly scheduled game against the
Mariners.
Left-hander Matt Thornton pitched a scoreless inning but
surrendered three consecutive two-out singles. An accurate throw from right
fielder Stefan Gartrell to catcher Ramon Castro nailed Brian Giles at home
plate for the final out.
Thornton said afterwards that he was more upset with
allowing a single on an 0-2 count to Brad Ausmus.
The competition for the final spot in the bullpen could
be sorted out somewhat Tuesday, as the first round of cuts are expected.
Although Daniel Cabrera and Freddy Dolsi will get more
chances, they didn't distinguish themselves for the second consecutive time.
Cabrera allowed two runs on two hits and a walk and
clearly lacks the velocity he displayed with Baltimore. Dolsi allowed a hit and
a walk in the B game against the Dodgers.
Aside from Dayan Viciedo's failure to run out a popup in the B game, it was a promising day for the Sox's minor leaguers. Jared Mitchell went 2-for-3 with a double and two stolen bases in the B game, and then hit an RBI triple in the ninth in the regularly scheduled game against Seattle.
Gartrell was hit on the outside of his left knee and had to leave the game with a bruise. Justin Greene pinch-ran for Gartrell and went 2-for-3 with a double and stolen base.
Brent Lillibridge suffered a left elbow bruise after getting hit by a pitch but is available to play.
Gartrell was hit
on the outside of his left knee and had to leave the game with a
bruise.
Get our updates on 
FactChecker on March 9, 2010 9:03 AM
"The typical Rios year consists of a sub .800 ops and 100+ k's
Keep drinking the koolaid"
2006 and 2007 would disagree with you
---------------------
Great points! Two fluke years out of six. Forget those other four! Totaling ignoring his sub .800 CAREER ops, his average of 114 K per season, AND his complete freefal since the midpoint of 2008. Brilliant!
mmmmmm...koolaid!
"The typical Rios year consists of a sub .800 ops and 100+ k's
Keep drinking the koolaid"
2006 and 2007 would disagree with you. Keep smoking the Cubbie Crack...
2 in 5 on March 8, 2010 6:20 PM
Great news! A typical Rios year (.285, 20-85, 25 steals and gold glove centerfield) would be awesome.
--------------------------------
In six seasons, Rios has reached 20 HR once, 85 rbi once, 25 SB once, and has never won a gold glove.
But somehow, that a "typical Rios year".
The typical Rios year consists of a sub .800 ops and 100+ k's
Keep drinking the koolaid
Jared Mitchell looks awesome. I know he will be at Birmingham, but man is he ripping the cover off the ball. I could see him with the big club sometime in 2011.
Wouldn't make the Cubs? The only reason Quentin wouldn't suit up on the north side is that he's out of minor league options. You see, a major league team would claim him before he was playing AAA baseball. Silly Cub fans!
Man let me finish. Rios and Quentin would never make the Cubs a winner. They are only about 20 players short of a +.500 team.
Rios and Quentin would never make the Cubs.
Great news! A typical Rios year (.285, 20-85, 25 steals and gold glove centerfield) would be awesome. Same applies for C.Q. (.275, 35-110). Those two will make a differance on how far we go.