Vaughn has big shoes to fill at first for White Sox
CHICAGO — Andrew Vaughn is aware of a factor or two about dealing with strain.
His Major League debut with the 2021 White Sox, for a workforce projected as a World Series contender, arrived with simply 254 earlier Minor League profession plate appearances. Vaughn additionally began in left area, which was a place put upon the No. 3 choose within the 2019 Draft throughout the ultimate week of Spring Training after an Eloy Jiménez harm.
So, taking up at first base in 2023, following the historic White Sox lineage on the place transferring from Frank Thomas to Paul Konerko to José Abreu starting in 1990, is a problem for the 24-year-old, however not an awesome impediment.
“Those are big footsteps to step into,” Vaughn advised MLB.com throughout a New Year’s Eve interview. “I don’t want to be that guy. I want to be my own player and go out and do my best and do whatever I can to help the Sox win.”
First base represents a return dwelling for Vaughn, who was chosen from the University of California at that place. But with Abreu locked in for a complete of 9 seasons, enjoying time understandably was not available at first base.
There are 139 video games performed in left area, 63 in proper area, 38 at first and even three at second and two at third on Vaughn’s two-year resume. But Abreu joined the World Series champion Astros through a three-year, $58.5 million offseason free agent deal, making Vaughn’s transfer a pure.
Vaughn topped the ’22 White Sox with 17 dwelling runs and 76 RBIs, to go along with his 28 doubles, 60 runs scored and .271/.321/.429 slash line, presenting an especially strong base.
Abreu’s excellence wasn’t merely about changing the numbers, although, together with the third-most dwelling runs in White Sox historical past at 243 and his 863 RBIs. Abreu was a real chief, as Vaughn defined.
“He was the face of the team, basically. Him and Tim [Anderson] were the two top guys, and losing Pito [Abreu], it stings a little bit,” Vaughn stated. “He saved that clubhouse sort of beneath his wing. He was the man everyone appeared as much as. He’s a grinder. He loves baseball and he places the work in and I’m simply glad I obtained to be taught throughout that quick time I obtained to play with him.
“It’s the work ethic. Watching what that guy does every single day, day in and day out, is impressive. And you want to be like that. That’s why he’s one of the best mentors, just because you see him doing that and you are like, ‘I want to do that. I want to be like that guy.’”
How vital was Abreu to younger gamers corresponding to Vaughn and Gavin Sheets, who additionally figures to get time at first base because the roster is presently constructed? Vaughn as soon as spoke about how an E:60 must be performed on Abreu’s management, whereas each gamers have been set on persevering with outfield work away from their pure place if it meant preserving Abreu.
That situation didn’t play out. Now, it’s Vaughn’s time to place his stamp at first, apart from filling the void brought on by Abreu’s departure.
“He’s going to a rival team, and we are losing him. He was a big piece of our team, and now we have to build around it and pick up the slack and do our work,” Vaughn stated. “I want to go out there and try to prove myself every single day.”
“We expect Andrew is going to continue to progress,” White Sox normal supervisor Rick Hahn stated on the Winter Meetings. “That’s going to improve not just his production, but the rest of the club.”
Putting the ball in play extra and making constant strong contact have been two of the positives Vaughn listed from his ’22 season. Stamina on the finish of the 12 months was a shortcoming.
People level to further put on and tear brought on by considerably unknown outfield work as a cause for Vaughn’s 22-for-122 exhibiting over the ultimate two months of 2021 and his .200 common and .580 OPS over Sept./Oct. in ‘22. Vaughn doesn’t purchase that concept as his offseason preparation is geared for dealing with an entire marketing campaign.
“Everybody wants to play the full season and not miss a game,” stated Vaughn, who appeared in 134 video games final season. “162 is a grind, no matter where you are playing. It’s building that routine. It’s being mentally focused to tackle the whole 162 and taking it day by day.”
