Outfielder Oscar Colas has the tools, but the White Sox haven’t been shy about telling him he needs to prove it on the field. He was in the first round of spring-training cuts in March after starting last season on the major-league roster.
The Sox recalled Colas on Sunday from Triple-A Charlotte because an Achilles injury to left fielder Andrew Benintendi required a stint on the injured list, but he is running out of chances to prove he belongs in the majors.
‘‘At this level, you’ve got to perform,’’ manager Pedro Grifol said before the Sox’ game Wednesday against the Cubs. ‘‘I love his tools; everybody does. You’ve got to go do it. I’ve been talking about opportunity for the last couple of weeks, and here it is. This is a great opportunity for you to show the industry that you belong in the big leagues.’’
Grifol said he was impressed with Colas’ plate vision and discipline after his ninth-inning walk capped an eight-pitch at-bat Tuesday against Cubs closer Hector Neris. He wants Colas to cut down on his tendency to chase pitches out of the strike zone, something that has plagued him throughout his career. Colas, who started in right field Wednesday, struck out 71 times and drew 12 walks in 75 major-league games last season.
‘‘I’m not saying the at-bat last night is going to give him four at-bats today, but it certainly helped him,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘I liked the way he took that at-bat against a pretty damn good major-league pitcher. He’s going to get another opportunity today.’’
Sosa’s role
Infielder Lenyn Sosa temporarily silenced the overwhelmingly pro-Cubs crowd of 38,397 in attendance Tuesday at Wrigley Field with a two-run home run in the Sox’ five-run fourth inning.
Entering play Wednesday, Sosa was a .186/.214/.320 hitter in 261 major-league plate appearances. But he has had success at the Triple-A level, slashing .284/.355/.627 this season at Charlotte.
‘‘Everything is part of the process; every ballplayer is different,’’ Sosa said. ‘‘Right now I’m focusing on executing my plan, following that instinct on how to play the game because I know that I can do it. I have done it in Triple A; I know I can do it here, too.’’
Sosa said he feels comfortable at second and third base and wants to take advantage of his opportunity.
‘‘I just want to see Sosa relax and play the game the way he played it last night and the way he played [last weekend] it in Milwaukee,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘The way he fielded, the way he looked, he looks relaxed. He’s got some pop in his bat.’’
Team effort
Grifol ripped into the Sox by calling out their “flat” effort after a series sweep at the hands of the Orioles last month. The Sox haven’t won since, but Grifol said he has been more pleased with their readiness.
‘‘I have zero complaints about the effort, the energy, the willingness to play, the
work we do, just the way they go about it,’’ Grifol said.
Grifol said he’s proud of the way the Sox competed last weekend against the Brewers and that games are going to start going their way.
