(670 The Score) The addition of Adam Eaton to the White Sox’s outfield mix didn’t surprise Adam Engel, who made 23 starts and appeared in 35 games for Chicago in the 60-game season of 2020.
Engel was expecting the White Sox to add another outfielder and that a platoon situation was set to be utilized.
“In my case, it’s kind of like a business as usual kind of approach,” Engel said of the Eaton addition on the Mully & Haugh Show on Wednesday morning. “It’s been pretty clear that my role with this team, especially now that we’re becoming more competitive and winning more games, that I’m going to be facing a lot more left-handed pitching than I am right-handed pitching. So seeing that they signed a left-handed-hitting right fielder, I would by lying if I said it was a shock.”
Engel, who turned 29 on Wednesday, hit .295 with an .811 OPS in 93 plate appearances in 2020, a marked improvement after he hit .242 with a .687 OPS in the full season prior. Engel got about two-thirds of his plate appearances against right-handers in 2020, but he expects to face mostly lefties after the addition of the Eaton, who posted an abysmal .366 OPS against lefties and a solid .768 OPS against righties in 2020.
Engel has hit .257 with a .689 OPS against left-handers in his career. He’s also a superb defensive player who projects to be a late-inning replacement when the White Sox hold leads. Of course, Engel will enter spring training with the intention of earning a bigger role.
“Obviously, as a big leaguer, I think part of what makes professional athletes good at what they do is they have that kind of competitive edge,” Engel said. “I think most guys in this situation, they obviously want to be the everyday guy and they want to be the starting guy getting all the at-bats, but I think it speaks a lot to our team that we have guys that are in competition for starting jobs. I think that’s one reason why we are so good. We got a lot of guys that can play at a high level. I’m excited for the competition.
“I know (Eaton) works like crazy. I know he’s a really, really competitive guy and a great player. I’m excited to get into spring training and learn from him.”
Engel called the White Sox’s early activity in the offseason “exciting.” In addition to adding Eaton on a one-year, $7-million deal, Chicago acquired right-hander Lance Lynn from the Texas Rangers.
“They’re going to help get close to that ultimate goal, so we’re pumped,” Engel said.