(670 The Score) Many baseball players have brought joy and energy to both their teammates and their fan bases over the years, and White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez certainly fits that bill.
The 23-year-old Jimenez brings a smile with him to work every day, even during these trying times that have proved to be difficult for so many.
"It feels great to be back," Jimenez said over the weekend. "I am happy to be back in Chicago and happy to be back with my boys. We need to go out, work, smile and just work hard."
Jimenez is coming off a rookie season in which he displayed his big power, hitting 31 homers in 122 games. That included a monster September in which he had nine homers, 25 RBIs, a .710 slugging percentage and a 1.093 OPS.
Over the past few days, Jimenez has been hammering the ball into the empty Guaranteed Rate bleachers on numerous occasions.
"I feel really good, much better this year," Jimenez said. "This is my second year, and I got the experience I needed last year. I think it will be a better year."
The challenge for Jimenez in his professional career has been staying healthy, and he missed a long stretch with an elbow injury in 2019. The goal for him and the White Sox is to have him available for a full season, which is even more important in this truncated 60-game campaign.
"His mindset is right," manager Rick Renteria said. "You see him out there, and he is moving around well. We are very optimistic that he's going to continue what he's been doing in the past. He's working hard out there."
Like all players, Jimenez is still getting accustomed to the new social distancing practices and safety protocols that have been implemented in MLB. For a gregarious individual like Jimenez, it has been a difficult transition. He enjoys celebrating with his teammates.
"It's going to be a bit hard when the season starts," Jimenez said. "I think this six feet distance, you know, it's going to be just for now. It's going to get better. You know me -- I'm always joking around a lot. For now, we need to keep a distance."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
