GLENDALE, Ariz. — The past month has felt like a full-circle moment for Brooke Fletcher.
As a new member of the Chicago White Sox broadcast team, Fletcher has been at camp gearing up for the upcoming season and taking part in CHSN’s spring training telecasts along with John Schriffen and Steve Stone.
And her family has ties to the Sox. Her father, Scott, played for the team in the 1980s and early 90s and her brother-in-law, Gordon Beckham, spent seven years with the Sox during his 11 seasons in the big leagues.
“It’s been a little surreal,” Brooke Fletcher told the Tribune on Thursday at Camelback Ranch. “Just thankful for the opportunity, just to be able to cover the White Sox and having the history with my family. It’s been cool.”
Scott played parts of 15 years in the majors, including six seasons with the Sox from 1983-85 and 1989-91.
“The White Sox have always had a place in our family’s heart,” Scott said in a phone interview with the Tribune on Friday morning. “We love (Chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf) and just being around so many of the White Sox people who are still there. Brooke put on her Instagram one time when she was young, she had her White Sox uniform on. So it was like, man, really blessed and you see how things come together sometimes.
“That’s pretty special that it’s worked out for her to be with the White Sox.”
Brooke’s duties include providing in-game reports from near the dugout as well as pre- and postgame coverage.
“I’m just mainly excited to be able to share the stories and shine a light on this young group,” she said.
Fletcher will get the chance to do just that Sunday, working alongside Connor McKnight in the booth for the Spring Breakout prospects game against the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch (4:05 p.m., CHSN). Pitchers Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith and Grant Taylor, shortstop Colson Montgomery and outfielder Braden Montgomery are among the players on the Sox roster for the event.
Chicago Sports Network’s Brooke Fletcher. (CHSN)
“Just so much talent,” Fletcher said. “There are guys that might take a few seasons to get up to the bigs, and there are guys that are right on the cusp. There’s a lot to look forward to.”
Fletcher’s journey to the Sox included working as a host for “The Rally,” serving as a sideline reporter for AppleTV+ on its MLB broadcasts and covering the Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings for Bally Sports Detroit. She’s a sideline reporter for the Big 10 Network, aiding in their football coverage. And she hosts CHSN’s program, “The Chicago Lead.”
“She’s worked very hard at it and I’m really happy for her and thank the Lord that she is where she is,” Scott Fletcher said. “She’s accomplished a lot, I told her she’s accomplished a lot in a short time, and I’m really proud of her.”
Throughout camp, Fletcher has heard from folks who tell her they remember her father.
“Everybody’s been so welcoming,” she said.
Fletcher said baseball “feels like home.”
“I grew up going to the ballpark, watching my brother (Brian) play,” Fletcher said. “I was working baseball tournaments — my dad held national baseball tournaments, I was working the front gate.
“Just understanding the lifestyle of it and also being a fan. I just love this game so much.”
Sox option Jared Shuster to Triple A
The Sox optioned the left-handed pitcher to Triple-A Charlotte before Friday’s Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds.
“We had some guys ahead of him,” manager Will Venable said. “We came in looking at him in the starter’s role. We thought he looked good. We just have some guys ahead of him, and going to give him the opportunity to go to work and get back into reliever shape. He’ll be an option for us at some point during the summer.”
Shuster has an 11.57 ERA in four spring outings (one start). He has allowed nine runs on 15 hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. He had a 4.30 ERA in 39 appearances (four starts) for the Sox last season.
“His changeup was really good,” Venable said. “I know that’s something that he’s been working on and is important to his arsenal. I thought he had a really good one and as we continue to see that velo tick up, I think it’s going to play even better. I think that’s part of the discussion with having him in the reliever role also, is to really get the velo up and play up the good changeup.”
Injury update
Right-hander Mason Adams left Friday’s game with discomfort in his right elbow. He exited after issuing a walk with one out in the second inning.
Adams has a 4.91 ERA in four games (two starts) this spring. He has eight strikeouts, one walk and has hit two batters in 7 1/3 innings. The Sox said Adams will undergo further testing Saturday.
