(670 The Score) If everything goes to plan for the White Sox during spring training, 24-year-old Oscar Colas will be win the team’s starting right field job.
Of course, he still has to put in the work and produce to earn that role, as new manager Pedro Grifol has pointed out.
"Oscar is not going to act like the position is his, because that's not the case,” Grifol told reporters. “Obviously, he is an extremely talented kid and this organization has plans for him. But he is competing for the job. He is an extremely focused kid. He has come here to work.”
Working in Colas’ favor is that he has extensive playing experience in Cuba and Japan. He also performed at a high level at multiple stops in the White Sox’s system in 2022, when he hit .314 with 23 homers, 79 RBIs and an .895 OPS in 117 games split between three levels. Colas hit .306 with a .928 OPS in 51 games at Double-A Birmingham, and he impressed in a brief stint at Triple-A Charlotte, posting a .387 average and 1.069 OPS in seven games there.
For his part, Colas feels ready to be an everyday player.
“I am trying this spring to do my best and take advantage of this opportunity,” Colas told reporters. “I must continue to do the right things and do the right things in all areas.
“The only thing to do is to focus on my daily work. Last year, I increased the focus being on my offense. What changed was up until last year, I just tried to hit home runs. Last year, I tried to improve my contact hitting to all fields. I got really good results working on that.”
Colas played a fair deal of center field in 2022 but is comfortable moving to right field with the Gold Glove-winning Luis Robert in center field for the White Sox.
“My work in the outfield last year I thought was excellent,” Colas said. “Actually, last year was my first time playing a lot in center. I had mostly played the corners before that, so I feel very good about going back to right field. I knew I would have a good chance to have this opportunity in the offseason. When I was in the Dominican Republic, I put a lot of work in and knew eventually this time would come.”
Colas’ goal is to be a key consistent contributor to a team that plays winning baseball.
“It's really great to see all the talented players around me,” Colas said. “That means we have a chance to be a good team. I am not sure it will take pressure off of you as a player, but it definitely makes you feel more secure about the team and the things I have to do myself.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker