CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Does he stay or does he go?
That will be the question the White Sox answer this week as it pertains to the immediate future of 23-year-old second baseman Nick Madrigal, their first-round pick in the 2018 amateur draft. Team brass will sit down and decide if Madrigal joins the club for Opening Day against the Twins on Friday or starts the season on the taxi squad, which is working in Schaumburg.
Before the pandemic halted spring training in March, the original plan had been for Madrigal to start the season at Triple-A Charlotte. That isn't an option anymore, with the minor league season canceled due to health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As always for highly regarded prospects and their timelines for a big league promotion, hovering over the decision are service time considerations. Typically, MLB can retain an extra year of contract control on prospects by waiting three weeks or so into a new season before calling them up for the first time. Service time has been prorated in this shortened 60-game season and is still a consideration.
Keeping prospects down for one week into this regular season will ensure that MLB teams retain an extra year of contract control.
Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick are expected to share the second base duties for the White Sox if Madrigal isn't part of the Opening Day roster.
"We will look at everything that happens the next few days," manager Rick Renteria said of the Madrigal decision. "We have guys who have shown us through their experience and ability to do things at (second base) in terms of filling that spot. Certainly, all of them are in the mix. The question is will this help or hinder him? I think he's an individual who has taken this time and gotten more comfortable. It's a case-to-case basis. I still think we have to determine if it can be harmful or helpful. We want to make sure the decision is the best one for the young man and the organization moving forward."
Renteria has liked what he has seen from Madrigal, who hit two frozen-rope line drives off ace Lucas Giolito in an intrasquad game Saturday.
"He certainly seems much more comfortable in his own skin now," Renteria said. "I got a chance to watch him in Arizona after spring training was stopped. He stayed at Camelback Ranch, so I was able to see him more. He is more comfortable around the guys, being himself. He is going to be a baseball player. Putting the bat on the ball, hitting behind runners, playing good defense, having an idea on the bases what he can and cannot do -- I think he is starting to be comfortable with the idea of being himself."
For his part, Madrigal feels prepared to play at the MLB level.
"I feel as ready as ever right now," Madrigal said. "I feel not only my on-the-field play but my body and speed all are game ready at this moment. As I said, I don't know what is going to happen. We should hear pretty shortly. I feel ready as ever right now.
"I understand what the White Sox are all about. I know that there is a team across town that may get a little more attention from the media. My style of play is team-related. That is how I was raised to play. I am not too worried about it. I know the style of play the White Sox are about."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
