The White Sox’ search for a manager for next season remains as stated by general manager Chris Getz when Pedro Grifol was fired a month ago.
“Our target pool is candidates that are in uniform with other organizations right now,” Getz said Monday.
Which would eliminate interim manager Grady Sizemore and keep Marlins manager Skip Schumaker at the top of the Sox’ list, where he is believed to be. Whether Schumaker — who could have other choices including the Cardinals, his former team – would be persuaded to come to a team that might set the record for losses in a season remains to be seen.
Getz said the process of asking other teams to interview candidates hasn’t begun.
“We’ve built out a process that we feel very good about,” Getz said. “Simultaneously, we’ve been able to collect names through referrals or our own research, and we feel pretty good about the amount of candidates that we have. Once we get our season to the finish line, we’ll devote more time and begin the interview process.
“It’s really about understanding what we feel is the best fit for the Chicago White Sox and finding the criteria we feel is going to make for a strong decision in the end.”
Getz said he wants to be respectful of contending teams, and doesn’t have a timeline.
“And with that being said, we want to finish strong here,” Getz said. “Come October, we’ll have a little more time and be very intentional on the interviews. And then eventually, we’ll get to the finish line. But in regard to really defining the timeline, we’re not going to rush into anything, we’re going to be as thorough as possible and then make the best decision for the White Sox.”
Top pick Smith throws out first pitch
Left-hander Hagen Smith, the National Pitcher of the Year at Arkansas who is done after a short stint at Advanced-A Winston-Salem where he gave up three earned runs with seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings, threw out the first pitch.
“It’s my first time here,” Smith said. “Just trying to take it all in. Seeing the stadium, going around the locker room. My family is here so we’ve had a blast.”
“Hagen, he certainly hasn’t disappointed,” Getz said. “He’s got big stuff, and you look at what he can do with his fastball and breaking pitches, and it kind of reminds you of other pitchers that you currently have in your organization and other pitchers across the league that are leading rotations.”
This and that
Andrew Vaughn is the Sox nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions on and off the field.
*Right-hander Drew Thorpe underwent season ending surgery to have a bone spur shaved on his right elbow.
*Yoan Moncada was 9-for-26 on his rehab assignment at Charlotte but Getz gave no indication he would be called up soon.
*Bryan Ramos got his first start, at DH, since getting promoted from Charlotte Thursday. Gavin Sheets, fourth in the majors with a .347 average since Aug. 7, didn’t start for the second straight game against lefty starter Joey Cantillo as manager Grady Sizemore finds ways to spread at-bats around in the final weeks of the season.