Grifol emphasizes aggressive baserunning

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When questioned about being more aggressive running as a team this season, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol did not limit his response to simply stealing bases.

“I envision our team taking advantage of 90 feet whenever it’s given to us,” Grifol said. “Whether it’s on a ball in the dirt, a base hit to the outfield.

“Sometimes you can’t force these things, but when they present themselves, you have to be ready to take it. What kind of baserunning team are we going to be? Opportunistic. You give it to us, and we’re going to preach taking it. And as far as running hard down the line, all that stuff, that’s expectation.”

Grifol delved deeper into the running hard part of his answer by talking about a level of respect to the game for people who pay to watch.

“I’m not asking them on a ground ball to the pitcher to give me 100 percent down the line, but you know what, give me a good effort,” Grifol said. “Give me good effort until the play ends. And if it happens to end before you get to first base, OK, well then you can shut down a little bit.

“Give us, our organization, our culture, the effort that we’re looking for. And that’s what is preached to them. I’ve heard all the philosophies in the last four, five years. You know, save your legs and ... I’ve heard them all. But at the same time, you have to respect the game, your teammates and your organization, and the fans that come out to watch. The kids that are in the stands that are learning from the way we play the game.”

Montgomery shows off patience during live BP
Colson Montgomery, the White Sox No. 1 prospect and No. 38 overall, per MLB Pipeline, will start playing on Wednesday, according to Grifol. The White Sox wanted him to watch a few games and get comfortable before taking the field.

But even as a hitter in live batting practice thrown by Mike Clevinger, Montgomery showed some of the skills that led to his 50-game on-base streak last year in the Minors.

“Montgomery was the first hitter, and he took the first four pitches and [pitching coach] Ethan [Katz] said, ‘Is he swinging?’ And I said, ‘He’s swinging,’” Grifol said. “He was just taking pitches half an inch, an inch outside. And there was no panic.

“Ethan is like, ‘Is he going to just stand there and track? Or is he going to swing?’ The next pitch, he fouled it off. So no, he was swinging it. He looks calm. It looks like the game comes to him at the right pace. A lot of guys that age, first year in camp, it speeds up quickly, but it doesn’t for him.”

Stiever returns
The build up as a starter began for Jonathan Stiever, who allowed one run on three hits in one inning during a 4-1 victory over the D-backs on Tuesday at Salt River Fields. Stiever, 25, hurled three innings in three games for Triple-A Charlotte in ’22, coming back from right lat surgery on Aug. 23, 2021.

“I never have really been injured or had a significant injury, so it’s definitely a challenge just going through the whole process, seeing guys playing last year and not being a part of it and all that,” Stiever said. “It’s just great to be back in the clubhouse around guys playing.

“That’s kind of the thing I miss the most. As spring goes along, keep building up and sort of put it all behind me and view where I’m at now and go forward rather than look back.”