Nick Madrigal set to debut for White Sox vs. Royals

The White Sox’ top second base prospect, Nick Madrigal, did not make the team’s opening day roster last week, but it didn’t take long to get him on board.

The Sox purchased the contract of their 2018 first round draft choice Friday and penciled him into the lineup against the Royals in Kansas City. He will bat ninth against one of the Royals’ top prospects, left-hander Kris Bubic, who will also make his major league debut.

Struggling right-handed reliever Kelvin Herrera, who struggled after the Sox signed him to to a two-year, $18 million contract before the 2019 season, was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

On Thursday, director of player development Chris Getz said Madrigal was “pretty close” to getting called up.

”It’s purely putting him in a position to succeed when he gets there,” Getz said.

“His starter kit is pretty good as is, but we want to make sure we’re getting the most out of him right out of the gate.”

The No. 4 overall selection in the 2018 draft, Madrigal batted .311 with a .377 on-base percentage with four homers and 55 RBI in 120 games combined at three minor league levels last season.

MLB Pipeline ranked Madrigal as the Sox’ No. 4 prospect behind Luis Robert (1), Andrew Vaughn (2) and Michael Kopech (3).

The White Sox’ first-round pick in the 2020 draft, left-hander Garrett Crochet, said Madrigal had been the most impressive player on the taxi squad that’s working out in Schaumburg.

“I’m sure it’s not a surprise to most people,” Crochet said.

The Sox have been starting all-purpose outfielder-infielder Leury Garcia at second base, as planned, with Madrigal waiting in the wings. By keeping Madrigal off the major league roster for a week’s worth of games the Sox secured an extra year of contract control.

Madrigal doesn’t hit for power but should improve the Sox defensively up the middle. In 663 total chances over three minor league levels last season, he made only five errors. Offensively, Madrigal excels at making contact, striking out only 16 times while drawing 44 walks in 532 minor league plate appearances last season, but didn’t distinguish himself at the plate with the Sox during spring and summer camp. He appeared to be more relaxed and his overall performance improved in the summer, however.

Herrera, 30, posted a 6.14 ERA in 57 appearances in 2019 and he allowed four earned runs, including two on home runs, in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings in the opening six days of the season.

The Sox take a 2-4 record into the game at Kansas City.

Crochet a quick study

Crochet, who threw a bullpen session Thursday, is improving under the coaching eyes of Class AAA Charlotte pitching coach Matt Zaleski and minor league pitching coordinator Everett Teaford.

“We’ve got some things we’re focusing on right now, and he’s taking to it fairly quickly,” Getz said. “He’s a guy that takes to instruction very well. We’ve seen quick adjustments and that’s a sign of a guy that’s going to be able to make the proper adjustments as a big leaguer.”

Crochet, the 11th overall pick, said he isn’t ruling out the possibility of a call-up during the Sox’ abbreviated 60-game season. It seems far from a sure thing, but injuries to right-handers Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) and Jimmy Lambert (forearm strain) and the opt-out of righty Michael Kopech have already thinned out the Sox’ pitching staff.

“If it wasn’t in the back of my mind, I probably wouldn’t consider myself a competitor,” Crochet said.

Mazara close

Right fielder Nomar Mazara, who has missed the start of the season on the injured list for an unspecified reason, is at Schaumburg and it appears to be a matter of days before he makes his Sox debut. Mazara was acquired from the Rangers in an offseason trade for outfield prospect Steele Walker.

Mazara went on the IL July 21.