GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee came through for pitcher Tyler Gilbert against the Kansas City Royals, throwing out a runner trying to steal second base in the second inning.
“I threw a slider, too,” Gilbert said after the Feb. 23 outing at Surprise Stadium. “It was even harder for him to probably throw him out just because of that pitch. I was like, ‘That was awesome.’ That was cool. It’s good to have that behind the plate.”
Friday, Matt Thaiss aided Gilbert by racing behind home plate to track down a popup against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Lee and Thaiss are two of the six catchers the Sox have in camp this spring. They are joined by Omar Narváez, Adam Hackenberg and two top 100 prospects, according to MLB.com, in Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero.
Lee had two hits, two runs and two RBIs in Saturday’s 18-9 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium. Hackenberg also had two hits, including a solo home run, two runs and two RBIs.
“We really like what our catchers are doing,” manager Will Venable said before Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. “Obviously, the offense is always great to get from those guys. But it’s really about developing those relationships with those pitchers. Helping these guys navigate at-bats. And we think they’ve all done a really good job of that and we continue to progress in that area. That’s something that’s going to be important to us, and we’ll continue to work on it.”
Lee made the most starts at catcher last season for the Sox, finishing fifth on the club with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs. Behind the plate, Lee ranked second among major-league catchers in pop time to second base (1.85 seconds) and arm strength (84.7 mph).
Lee, 26, is enjoying diving back in with the pitching staff.
“It’s what I look forward to in the offseason, talking to them all offseason, what they are working on,” Lee recently told the Tribune. “And then you get to come here and do the real thing. You’re seeing where the pitchers are developing and seeing where they’re getting better and seeing where we can get better as a clubhouse and a team. That’s why we have spring training.”
Thaiss is getting to know a new staff after a unique offseason that saw him being traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Chicago Cubs and then from the Cubs to the Sox.
“I think the biggest thing is catching as many guys as you can as quick as possible and spending time in here (in the clubhouse), trying to get to know guys,” Thaiss recently told the Tribune of the adjustment. “There’s a portion of it that happens on the field and a portion of it that happens off the field. And as we get going here, whether it’s grabbing dinner, playing golf or just hanging around and getting to know what makes people tick. That’s a big help.”
Hackenberg has been in the Sox minor-league system since 2021, when the team selected him in the 18th round of the draft. Narváez has played parts of nine seasons in the majors, including with the Sox from 2016-18. He was an All-Star selection in 2021 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Quero had a combined .280 average with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs in 98 games for Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte in 2024. The 21-year-old is rated the No. 66 prospect by MLB.com. He told the Tribune he’s been working on his receiving and framing.
“I feel pretty good right now,” Quero said.
Teel, acquired as part of the trade that sent Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox, is rated the No. 32 prospect by MLB.com. He slashed .288/.386/.433 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs, 78 RBIs, 88 runs, 68 walks and 12 stolen bases in 112 games last season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.
Teel, 23, gained international attention last week when he hit a home run against Dodgers prospect Roki Sasaki during a live batting practice session. Teel showed off his speed in a Cactus League game on Feb. 24 against the Texas Rangers, scoring from first base on a double.
“It’s really important to be athletic out there,” Teel said. “I put a lot of work in during the offseason to be fast and explosive. Whatever I can do to help the team.”
Injury updates
Colson Montgomery is “progressing,” as he recovers from back spasms, Venable said. The shortstop was scratched from Thursday’s lineup after experiencing the setback during batting practice.
“Just give him some time, take it day by day,” Venable said. “We have the off day Tuesday, so continue with his treatment, and he’s progressing well. And we’ll see what it looks like after the off day.”
Outfielder Michael A. Taylor will be out a couple of days as he deals with right elbow inflammation. He was scratched from Saturday’s lineup.
“Kind of day by day, but we expect him to be back by the end of the week, out there playing,” Venable said.
