Chicago White Sox minor-league report: Tim Elko hitting home runs in bunches for Triple-A Charlotte

Chicago Tribune

03-05-2025

Charlotte designated hitter Tim Elko launched an 0-2 sweeper from Sean Boyle over the left-center wall at PNC Field in Moosic, Penn., for a solo home run during the fourth inning of an April 24 Triple-A game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Elko faced Boyle again in the sixth and jumped on a first-pitch sinker for a home run to right field to give the Knights the lead.
It was Elko's second multihomer game of the season.
Elko accomplished the feat again three days later, hitting a two-run home run in the first and a solo blast in the sixth against the RailRiders.
Elko hit eight home runs in 10 games from April 16 through Tuesday.
'It was pretty fun,' Elko said Friday during a videoconference call. 'I kind of was joking around at the beginning of the week that they come in pairs. I was able to get a few more out the rest of that week so it was a pretty cool thing.
'Just being able to put runs on the board to help us win games, it feels even better. To be able to contribute and we were playing well down there, it was fun to be able to help us win.'
The first baseman/DH on Friday was recognized as the Chicago White Sox Minor League Player of the Month for March/April. Grant Taylor of Double-A Birmingham was recognized as the Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month after finishing with a 0.79 ERA in four starts.
Elko, 26, slashed .367/.448/.711 with four doubles, nine home runs, 20 RBIs, 12 walks, 18 runs and a 1.159 OPS in 25 games with Charlotte in March/April.
'Just try to work on pitch selection and just making sure I'm getting good pitches to swing at and swing at the right ones and doing damage when I get them in my zone,' Elko said.
Elko led the minors in slugging percentage, tied for first in home runs and ranked fourth in OPS and total bases (64) during March/April. He also ranked first among Triple-A leaders in slugging percentage, tied for first in home runs, second in OPS, fourth in batting average and total bases and fifth in on-base percentage.
'Tim's done a great job, came into spring training knowing I've got to improve the swing decisions, being able to make quality contact off of breaking balls,' Sox director of hitting Ryan Fuller said last week in West Sacramento, Calif. 'He's doing that.
'That's what you want all these guys to be able to do. We give them a plan. We tell them what they do great and areas they need to improve. To see him go out and execute at a high level so far this year is really encouraging.'
Added Elko: 'When you are on time and ready for those pitches in the zone, it's a lot easier to take the ones outside the zone as well. So, it's just being selective and really just zoning in on the pitches I'm looking for and hunting that helps to make it easier to not swing at those bad ones as well.
'Just zoning in on where I'm working makes it easier to take the bad ones.'
A 10th-round pick in 2022 after a legendary run with Mississippi, Elko leads all minor-leagues since 2023 with 339 hits, is tied for the lead with 199 RBIs and ranks second with 568 total bases.
He reached base safely in 23 of his first 25 games in 2025, hitting safely in 21.
'He's always hit the ball hard, he's actually increased how hard he's hitting it,' Sox general manager Chris Getz said this week. 'And most importantly, how often he's doing it.
'Tim's a special guy, has got tremendous leadership qualities. He impacts others beyond just himself. He was a pretty good defender at first base. He's putting together all-around quality at-bats. So, we're really happy with the development of Tim and know at some point he could join us here in Chicago.'
Elko's mind is not preoccupied with the potential of the next level. He's focused on helping the Knights.
'Whenever that opportunity arises, I'll be ready,' Elko said. 'But right now, I'm just trying to focus on where my feet are and not look ahead too much, just try to continue to perfect my craft and be the best player I can every single day here and be where my feet are. … I'm just trying to … enjoy where I'm at right now.'