By Mark Gonzales
BOSTON -- Mark Teahen's fielding problems, Omar Vizquel's age and Dayan Viciedo's youth could give Brent Morel the inside track at winning the White Sox's 2011 starting third base job.
But Morel is too happy with his first promotion to the major leagues to look at the possibility of starting next year.
BOSTON -- Mark Teahen's fielding problems, Omar Vizquel's age and Dayan Viciedo's youth could give Brent Morel the inside track at winning the White Sox's 2011 starting third base job.
But Morel is too happy with his first promotion to the major leagues to look at the possibility of starting next year.
"It's tough to look ahead at next year," said Morel, who hit a combined .322 with 37 doubles and 10 home runs at Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. "I'm really happy to be here right now to get the opportunity to come up and help any way I can to get this team in the playoffs and see how it goes there.
"But I'm not worried about next year. I'm just concerned with helping the team right now."
It's been a busy but successful last 12 months for Morel.
"I had a good off-season, playing in the Instructional League (in Arizona) and the Arizona Fall League, and then getting a chance to go to spring training and letting the coaches see me play a little bit and get familiar with the guys up here who really had an impact on (me) being up there today," Morel said. "Because I don't know if I didn't play in spring training that they'd feel comfortable with me and calling me up. Since I was there and had a pretty good spring training, I think that had a little part to do with it."
Morel's parents and girlfriend were expected to arrive Friday afternoon in Boston. And one of the perks to the promotion was that he would be with the Sox when they make a trip to Anaheim on Sept. 24-26. Morel grew up and resides in Bakersfield, about two hours north of Anaheim.
"That was one of the first things was look at the schedule and saw Oakland (Sept. 20-22) and then Anaheim," Morel said. "I've already got plenty of calls for that trip."
"But I'm not worried about next year. I'm just concerned with helping the team right now."
It's been a busy but successful last 12 months for Morel.
"I had a good off-season, playing in the Instructional League (in Arizona) and the Arizona Fall League, and then getting a chance to go to spring training and letting the coaches see me play a little bit and get familiar with the guys up here who really had an impact on (me) being up there today," Morel said. "Because I don't know if I didn't play in spring training that they'd feel comfortable with me and calling me up. Since I was there and had a pretty good spring training, I think that had a little part to do with it."
Morel's parents and girlfriend were expected to arrive Friday afternoon in Boston. And one of the perks to the promotion was that he would be with the Sox when they make a trip to Anaheim on Sept. 24-26. Morel grew up and resides in Bakersfield, about two hours north of Anaheim.
"That was one of the first things was look at the schedule and saw Oakland (Sept. 20-22) and then Anaheim," Morel said. "I've already got plenty of calls for that trip."
Like to see this kid prove he belongs in MLB. Certainly the three other options have not exactly showed they are a permanent fix at third. Teahan is a butcher for sure at third.