RichH55
02-18-2002, 12:35 PM
Munoz one to watch
By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted on February 18, 2002
TUCSON, Ariz. - It seems to happen every spring.
A nondescript pitcher is invited to the White Sox' training camp, assigned a high uniform number, and filtered into the pack.
Most get early transfers to the minor leagues, but one always seems to sneak onto the Sox' 25-man roster.
Last spring, Gary Glover rose to prominence. The spring before, Kelly Wunsch. The spring before that, Sean Lowe.
Maybe the lack of pressure and attention provides the competitive springboard. Maybe it's sheer untapped talent. Or maybe it's a combination of the two.
Whatever the reason, keep an eye on Amaldo Munoz.
"He's a guy that's been mentioned by the development people as the top guy,'' White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "To hear the people talk about him, Munoz, he sounds very interesting. Good curveball. To me, it sounds almost like they were talking about (Mark) Buehrle.''
Like Buehrle, Munoz is left-handed and has shown the ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes. Especially the curve.
In 60 games with Class A Kannapolis last season, all in relief, Munoz went 6-3 with a 2.49 ERA. He also saved 12 games and had 115 strikeouts in only 79º innings.
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Munoz doesn't turn 20 until June 21. But it's ability, not age, that counts with Manuel.
"I've always said that with left-handers, if they have it, they have it,'' Manuel said. "Some different scenarios will have to play out, but he's interesting.''
Munoz also remains a mystery. Visa problems have kept Munoz in his native Dominican Republic, but he is expected to arrive at the Sox' spring camp today or Tuesday.
l
Welcome back: Along with Ray Durham, Aaron Rowand and Jeff Liefer, Brian Simmons is one of the White Sox' position players who decided to report early to spring training.
The Sox' first full-squad workout is scheduled for Thursday.
With Kenny Lofton, Rowand and Liefer ahead of him on the outfield depth chart, Simmons decided to make an early impression.
Simmons is back with the White Sox after being claimed off waivers from Toronto. In 60 games with the Blue Jays last season, Simmons batted .178 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.
"It wasn't a great situation there,'' said Simmons, who spent part of the 1998 and '99 seasons with the Sox. "I'd just play in late-inning situations and they gave me a few token starts. I'm happy to be back here.''
By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted on February 18, 2002
TUCSON, Ariz. - It seems to happen every spring.
A nondescript pitcher is invited to the White Sox' training camp, assigned a high uniform number, and filtered into the pack.
Most get early transfers to the minor leagues, but one always seems to sneak onto the Sox' 25-man roster.
Last spring, Gary Glover rose to prominence. The spring before, Kelly Wunsch. The spring before that, Sean Lowe.
Maybe the lack of pressure and attention provides the competitive springboard. Maybe it's sheer untapped talent. Or maybe it's a combination of the two.
Whatever the reason, keep an eye on Amaldo Munoz.
"He's a guy that's been mentioned by the development people as the top guy,'' White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "To hear the people talk about him, Munoz, he sounds very interesting. Good curveball. To me, it sounds almost like they were talking about (Mark) Buehrle.''
Like Buehrle, Munoz is left-handed and has shown the ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes. Especially the curve.
In 60 games with Class A Kannapolis last season, all in relief, Munoz went 6-3 with a 2.49 ERA. He also saved 12 games and had 115 strikeouts in only 79º innings.
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Munoz doesn't turn 20 until June 21. But it's ability, not age, that counts with Manuel.
"I've always said that with left-handers, if they have it, they have it,'' Manuel said. "Some different scenarios will have to play out, but he's interesting.''
Munoz also remains a mystery. Visa problems have kept Munoz in his native Dominican Republic, but he is expected to arrive at the Sox' spring camp today or Tuesday.
l
Welcome back: Along with Ray Durham, Aaron Rowand and Jeff Liefer, Brian Simmons is one of the White Sox' position players who decided to report early to spring training.
The Sox' first full-squad workout is scheduled for Thursday.
With Kenny Lofton, Rowand and Liefer ahead of him on the outfield depth chart, Simmons decided to make an early impression.
Simmons is back with the White Sox after being claimed off waivers from Toronto. In 60 games with the Blue Jays last season, Simmons batted .178 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.
"It wasn't a great situation there,'' said Simmons, who spent part of the 1998 and '99 seasons with the Sox. "I'd just play in late-inning situations and they gave me a few token starts. I'm happy to be back here.''