GLENDALE, Ariz. — Hitting coach Marcus Thames knew there had to be patience as the Chicago White Sox went through their offensive struggles in 2024.
“We had a young group and they’re still learning the game at the major-league level,” Thames recalled Wednesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch. “Have to make sure we’re patient with these guys. Keep teaching. We had a lot of guys, (like infielder Brooks) Baldwin came from A-ball to Double A to the big leagues. It’s a hard gig so we have to keep patient, keep teaching these kids and help them develop at the major-league level.
“You’re competitive, right. And you want to win ballgames. At the same time I’ve been doing this long enough to know there will be stretches like that. For me, I have to keep staying positive and trying to teach.”
The teaching continues this spring as Thames begins his second season as the club’s hitting coach. He provided a progress report on several players Wednesday.
Luis Robert Jr.
The center fielder has been one of the standout hitters for the team this spring, batting .286 with one double, two home runs and four RBIs in 11 games.
“He’s healthy right now, so if he’s healthy, Luis is a really good player,” Thames said. “And he’s been doing the right things and working really hard, just making sure his body is staying in the right place in the box. When he does that, he’s one of the best players in the game. So have to make sure he stays healthy and keep working at the right stuff in the cages.”
Robert is attempting to rebound after posting career lows in batting average (.224), on-base percentage (.278) and slugging (.379) in 2024. He had 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and a career-best 23 stolen bases in 100 games. A Grade 2 right hip flexor strain affected his season, sidelining him for nearly two months.
“I thought his body just wasn’t in the right position,” Thames said. “He was diving across, and cutting himself off and didn’t like that breaking ball down and away, it looked like a strike because his body wasn’t in the right position. This spring, he’s spit on a lot of pitches that’s down and away. He hasn’t been chasing those pitches. So when he’s doing that, he’s in a good place.”
Miguel Vargas
The third baseman singled to left field in the second inning of Thursday’s 9-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers and had another hit the next inning, continuing a productive spring.
Vargas is hitting .400 in 10 games as he looks to bounce back following a .104 average in 42 games last season after the Sox acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a July trade.
“His confidence was shot a little bit and he had some mechanical issues that harmed him a little bit,” Thames said. “I thought this offseason, him getting stronger and being able to hold his body in the right position, that’s going to help him.
“So far this spring he’s looked great. But it’s still early. He’s still grinding. But we have to get him off to a good start.”
Andrew Vaughn
Second-half adjustments paid off for the first baseman, who slashed .279/.323/.443 over his last 47 games of 2024 compared with .230/.285/.382 over his first 102. Vaughn finished the season leading the team in several categories, including hits (140), doubles (30) and RBIs (70).
“He had a lot of body-part movements going everywhere, so we tried to simplify him a little bit so he can be more consistent (in the second half of 2024),” Thames said. “The second half he did a good job and worked his butt off in the offseason and even this spring he looks good, man.”
Vaughn is 7-for-26 in nine Cactus League games.
“His work looks great,” Thames said.
Prospects Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth
The Sox optioned Montgomery, who missed some game action because of back spasms, to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. The shortstop is 1-for-9 with one home run and two RBIs in four Cactus League games.
“I spoke with him this offseason and I thought he was in a good place,” Thames said. “He had the back issue for a little bit that kind of slowed him down, but him going down and getting everyday at-bats and making sure he’s finishing his development … and when he comes here he’s ready to go.
“But I was impressed with what I saw.”
Thames said Teel is “on the attack” at the plate. The catcher is hitting .333 (5-for-15) with two home runs and six RBIs in 11 games.
“I like his demeanor in the box and he’s going to be a good player,” Thames said. “He understands the game after every at-bat he’s writing down notes and for me that’s a cerebral guy. He’s a first-round pick for a reason. I like him. I think he’s going to help us a lot.”
Meidroth has spent a portion of the spring at the top of the Sox lineup. The infielder is 2-for-21 with seven walks in 10 games.
“He knows the strike zone,” Thames said. “That’s what we need. We need guys to get on first base. The game don’t start until somebody gets to first base — I got that from Jim Thome. Chase is that guy. He’s going to have good ABs. He knows the strike zone. I really like what I’ve seen. Just watching his videos from Triple A last year.
“But I like him. We need somebody like that who can move the lineup.”
