Wednesday afternoon brought the latest stop in a familiar White Sox ritual: scouting director Mike Shirley’s pre-draft media availability. The big names in play are still the same ones - Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey - and all three have already met privately with the club.
Shirley also gave a clearer answer than usual on who has the last word when the pick is finally made.
"I think we’re all making the final decision together, this is collaboration, the change that’s happened here is real and how we’re all collaborating together," Shirley said. "But Chris Getz is running this organization and I believe Jerry really trusts Chris to make the final decision."
Miguel Vargas also finally had a chance to talk about his All-Star selection, and the reaction from his family came before he could even get a full conversation in with them.
"We couldn’t speak, I called them and they were kind of screaming and crying and so I have to wait for a couple of hours to talk to them," Vargas said. "That’s my role model and my hero.
That’s the reason I play this game and for me to have his last name on my back and his number too, it means a lot to me. I’m representing something he couldn’t have the opportunity to do.
For me and my family, it means a lot."
There was also an update on Munetaka Murakami, whose rehab work continued to move forward after his first game on Tuesday. Will Venable said the recovery went well, and Murakami was set to try to get through seven innings, or more, on Wednesday.
He had already doubled in his first at-bat. The White Sox still haven’t gotten more specific than saying he should be back before the All-Star break, though the beat writers around the team seem convinced Friday is the target.
The Home Run Derby field also still isn’t fully set, which is at least worth noting.
Elsewhere, Venable addressed what happens when the “starting first baseman for the White Sox” job opens back up and Jacob Gonzalez is no longer needed there.
"He’s done a great job of it, but yeah, he can play different positions," Venable said. "It’s something we value.
We talk about defensive versatility for all our guys. Certainly Jacob has that.
As we continue to evaluate the best fit for Jacob and all these guys, him being able to play multiple positions is factored in."
On the All-Star front, Davis Martin said he’d be ready if asked to step in as a substitute, and Venable didn’t close the door on that possibility.
"I don’t know what the process how it’s going to unfold or play out," Venable said. "He’s certainly deserving and has been our guy from Day 1.
There’s a number of guys out there who are looking from the outside and deserve a chance. Davis is definitely one of them."
Junior Pérez may be getting a longer look, too, with back-to-back starts in the mix. Venable praised the lefty’s all-around package and the way he’s handled himself.
"Really good toolset, where he’s playing an above average defense at multiple positions," Venable said. "He can really run, he can throw.
He’s a good swing decision guy. We’ve seen the power.
It’s nice to see him get a couple of starts in a row and see more of that stuff come out. The way he’s in the clubhouse, the way he’s engaging with our coaches, there’s a ton of aptitude where he’s making adjustments and doing everything he can to get better.
Really big fan of JP."
Venable also took a moment to salute Justin Verlander, against whom he went 1-for-5 in his career with an RBI double and two strikeouts.
"One of the best of all time," Venable said. "He’s somebody, he was drafted the year before me and he’s still going at it.
So, unbelievable career. He’s pitched for a long time at a really long time at a really high level.
Obviously a first ballot Hall of Famer and he’s meant a lot to the game."
The night’s matchup is White Sox vs. Red Sox, with CHSN carrying the TV broadcast and ESPN 1000 AM on the radio.
The White Sox lineup has Miguel Vargas leading off at first base, followed by Randal Grichuk at DH, Colson Montgomery at third, Chase Meidroth at second, Sam Antonacci in left, Braden Montgomery in right, Junior Pérez in center, Kyle Teel at catcher and Luisangel Acuña at shortstop. Davis Martin gets the start on the mound.
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