Latest news with #Getz
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Big-league dream becomes reality for Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel: ‘I'm trying to soak it all in'
Kyle Teel arrived at Rate Field around 11 a.m. Friday, several hours ahead of his big-league debut. 'When you walk in the locker room and you see your nameplate on your locker, it's like, 'Wow. I did it. I'm here and I'm ready to go,'' Teel said Friday afternoon. The Chicago White Sox officially promoted the catcher to the majors ahead of the series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Reports of the move first surfaced Thursday evening. 'This is a dream come true,' Teel said. 'I'm trying to soak it all in. It's something I worked my whole life for. It's really special.' Teel, 23, is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the Sox organization by which also lists him as the No. 26 prospect in baseball. He has a .295/.394/.492 slash line with eight home runs, 10 doubles, 30 RBIs, 34 runs and 30 walks in 50 games with Triple-A Charlotte. Teel reached base safely in 38 of his last 39 games for the Knights since April 10. 'I would just say that working hard and being consistent with my process every single day is what I did and I don't expect that to stop,' Teel said. 'Just keep the head down and keep working hard. I think that's a big part of my game, just being a hard-nosed ballplayer. That's what I'm going to do.' General manager Chris Getz said of Teel's promotion: 'A lot of it was just Kyle's production, quite honestly.' 'You're always trying to fine-tune every aspect of your game and you look at what he was doing behind the plate from a receiving standpoint, the feedback from our coaches and players that the game-calling, the game management was in a really good spot,' Getz said. 'And then you look at his offensive output, which has been really strong now for a stretch. He just continues to put together quality at-bats with power, getting on base, making good decisions. 'So you're looking at a fairly well-rounded player. Obviously as he transitions to the major-league level, there's always going to be adjustments. We feel he's in a good spot.' Teel joins Edgar Quero as options for the Sox behind the plate after the club optioned catcher Korey Lee to Charlotte. 'You're talking about a tandem that's a young tandem that's probably one of the strongest in baseball,' Getz said. 'It's not easy to send down a player like Korey Lee, because he's talented as well. You look at the catch and throw and the athleticism that he has.' Photos: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals on Mexican Heritage Night at Rate FieldLee has a .250 average with three doubles, one RBI and seven runs in 14 games. He was on the injured list from April 10-May 27 with a sprained left ankle. 'He has made a strong impression and those conversations are never easy,' Getz said of Lee. 'He was disappointed, as you would expect. I have the utmost confidence that he's going to go down there and perform well and work on all facets of his catching game and certainly offensively. 'The catching position is what we feel like is a strength of the organization considering that we have two catchers at the major league-level and a catcher like Korey at Triple A.' Manager Will Venable said Teel and Quero will split time. 'I think you may see them match up a little bit,' Venable said. 'But we're comfortable with (left-handed hitting) Kyle facing lefties and obviously (Quero) being a switch-hitter we're comfortable with him on both sides of the plate. 'And excited about them catching all of our pitchers. So just understanding the demands of that position are extremely high, so I think just making sure that they can both split the load is the way we'll go into this.' Teel was one of the four players the Sox acquired — along with infielder Chase Meidroth, outfielder Braden Montgomery and pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez — in the December trade that sent pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox. Meidroth and Teel were both in Friday's lineup, with Teel at catcher and batting sixth. 'This is something I dreamed about since I was a little kid,' Teel said. 'Everything I worked for comes up to this point. So, this is awesome.'
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz wants to ‘stay on track and stay disciplined' in wake of sale agreement
Chris Getz has spent 'a little bit of time' with Justin Ishbia. 'More of a casual encounter than anything,' the Sox general manager said Friday afternoon at Rate Field. 'Seems like a very knowledgeable person when it comes to the game. I know he's got a passion for baseball.' Getz pointed out a commonality between the two of coming from the metro Detroit area and making their way to Chicago. 'So there's always something to talk about,' Getz said. 'We used to root for the Tigers and now we despise the Tigers — but I could just say that about myself, I can't speak for him.' Getz discussed the immediate impact of Thursday's announcement that Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf had reached a long-term investment agreement that establishes a framework for Ishbia to obtain a future controlling interest in the Sox. 'My conversations are with Jerry, they'll remain with Jerry,' Getz said. 'The day-to-day operations are as is. And I know that the announcement yesterday caught a significant amount of attention. I think that speaks to Jerry's long-term vision and commitment to this organization. 'And it certainly aligns with baseball operations and how we've approached things and been committed to building the foundation of this organization. And building from the ground up. Both from an infrastructure standpoint and then the development of our players, whether it be through the minor leagues and now at the big leagues.' Getz said his attention is 'on 2025 and supporting Will Venable and others in the organization.' 'I certainly don't want us to get ahead of ourselves,' Getz said. 'I'm looking at the next three years, quite honestly. That's the healthiest way to stay on track and stay disciplined to the plan we have in place.' As part of the agreement, Ishbia will make capital infusions into the Sox as a limited partner in 2025 and 2026 that will be used to pay down existing debt and support ongoing team operations. Photos: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals on Mexican Heritage Night at Rate FieldThe Reinsdorf family continues to own controlling interest in the Sox. And Reinsdorf remains the sole day-to-day decisionmaker. 'Right now we're focused on the work we've been doing,' Getz said. 'Regardless of an announcement like yesterday, it doesn't change my approach, our approach of building from within. And in due time when we want to round out the roster and make additions, we'll have those conversations and we know we'll be supported. 'But in the meantime, it's about continuing to acquire the best players that we can and the mechanisms you're given in this game and grow those players and build them up to be successful major-league players.' Column: Jerry Reinsdorf's clumsy handoff of the Chicago White Sox only adds to his checkered baseball legacyReinsdorf will have the option to sell the controlling interest to Ishbia from 2029 to 2033. After the 2034 season, Ishbia will have the option to acquire the controlling interest. Getz took over as general manager in August 2023. 'The last year and a half, the conversations we've had with Jerry — and we'll continue to have those conversations on areas that need to be improved — he's been nothing short of fantastic in regards to giving us the support,' he said. 'I look at what we've accomplished on the international side. You look at (research and development) support. You look at how we're supporting our major-league club and player development. 'We're going to continue to talk as a group and find ways to improve. We've been supported, and I'm confident we'll continue to be supported.' Getz kept the focus on the field, including Friday's addition of the organization's No. 2 prospect, Kyle Teel, to the major-league roster. 'A great example is welcoming Kyle Teel here, the continued development of Miguel Vargas and Chase Meidroth and what he's done on the field,' Getz said. 'And then on the mound with our starter, Sean Burke had an excellent start, a huge start for us (Thursday against the Detroit Tigers). Considering where we are from a pitching-inning standpoint in our bullpen, he really stepped up. 'So there's just wonderful moments to see for whether it be myself or others in the organization, hopefully our fans to see these guys grow up, beginning to grow up at the major-league level. And it just goes back to this commitment from within at the top of really having this long-term approach for the Chicago White Sox.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire near Plains grows to 1,000 acres
Jun. 2—A wildfire that cropped up Saturday in Sanders County quickly expanded its footprint to about 1,000 acres by Monday. The uncontained Banana Lake Fire was burning in timber about 4 miles north of Plains between Locust Hill and Montana 28. A dark plume of smoke could be seen from town when the fire erupted Saturday as unseasonably high temperatures climbed into the 90s. "The winds were ripping and that's really what made it push," said spokesman Marcel Getz with the Montana Department of Natural Resources. No evacuation orders had been issued as of Monday, and the cause remained under investigation. Getz said there are structures in the area of the fire, but none were considered threatened. The blaze drew a large response on Sunday, including a Hotshot crew, 17 engines and two helicopters. A Type 3 team arrived Monday. Firefighters were working to build a containment line around the blaze that was showing moderate behavior with some torching and spotting during the heat of the day. Getz said the fire slowed its progress Sunday and Monday as cooler and more humid weather moved into the region.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire near Plains grows to 1,000 acres
Jun. 2—A wildfire that cropped up Saturday in Sanders County quickly expanded its footprint to about 1,000 acres by Monday. The uncontained Banana Lake Fire was burning in timber about 4 miles north of Plains between Locust Hill and Montana 28. A dark plume of smoke could be seen from town when the fire erupted Saturday as unseasonably high temperatures climbed into the 90s. "The winds were ripping and that's really what made it push," said spokesman Marcel Getz with the Montana Department of Natural Resources. No evacuation orders had been issued as of Monday, and the cause remained under investigation. Getz said there are structures in the area of the fire, but none were considered threatened. The blaze drew a large response on Sunday, including a Hotshot crew, 17 engines and two helicopters. A Type 3 team arrived Monday. Firefighters were working to build a containment line around the blaze that was showing moderate behavior with some torching and spotting during the heat of the day. Getz said the fire slowed its progress Sunday and Monday as cooler and more humid weather moved into the region.
Chicago Tribune
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago White Sox send struggling Andrew Vaughn to Triple-A Charlotte: ‘He's better than just grinding'
Andrew Vaughn had been a mainstay in the Chicago White Sox lineup since making the club's roster for the 2021 season. But the first baseman got off to an extended slow start in 2025 and was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. The Sox sent Vaughn and fellow first baseman Tim Elko to Charlotte as outfielders Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman returned from the injured list. 'We had a discussion yesterday and there's a point in a lot of players' careers where you are better off going down to Triple-A for a little bit,' general manager Chris Getz said. 'Focus on reclaiming who you are, as a player, as a hitter. 'We've seen him dangerous before in the box and we want to get him back to that.' The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, Vaughn is hitting .189 with five home runs, eight doubles and 19 RBIs in 48 games this season. 'He mentioned he has been grinding — and he's got survival skills and he was showing that,' Getz said. 'He got two knocks the last game (Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners) and there are many times this season you felt like it was coming, he was going to break out. 'He's better than just grinding, just getting a couple of hits here and there. He's a guy that needs to drive the baseball, can drive the baseball. So, I think he's actually looking forward to taking a step back, slowing things down. It's a different competition level, different environment. Really get to work.' Vaughn's only previous experience with Charlotte came in 2022 as part of a rehab assignment. 'I think it's a really good time to give him a break, let him reset and get back to who we know he can be,' manager Will Venable said. 'You point to guys across the league who have done it. (Former Sox third baseman) Jake Burger is a good friend of his who just did it (with the Texas Rangers), which I think is helpful for (Vaughn) to have somebody that has just had a positive experience with it.' The Sox are playing Burger and the Rangers this weekend at Rate Field. 'I went through it three weeks ago,' Burger said. 'I think it's always a good thing to have a little reset to see if he can get back to himself. I wish him nothing but the best.' Vaughn, 27, posted career highs in home runs (21) and RBIs (80) in 2023. He started slowly last year but finished with a .246 average, 19 home runs and 70 RBIs. He hadn't hit a stride this season. 'If you look at some of the underlying work that he's done, there's a little bit of unluckiness in his game,' Getz said. 'He would square up the ball from time to time and get hits, get big hits. At this point, though, we can't just rely on the expected numbers. The level of production that we need to see out of him and that position needs to be better. There's some physical adjustments that can be made.' Getz said they will dive into those adjustments in Charlotte. 'Syncing up his lower half and upper half,' Getz said. 'He was a guy that early on although he maybe wasn't getting hits, he was making good decisions at the plate, seeing the ball well, taking his walks. Some of that is putting your body in a position to make quality decisions. This game will speed you up for a lot of different reasons because of the talent of the pitching, the overall talent of the major-league level. 'So to go down and play against this type of competition in a different environment can really allow you to make those adjustments. You put so much pressure on yourself as a hitter to be productive and sometimes the harder you try can be a detriment. At this point, we felt like it was necessary to go down there. We still believe in Andrew Vaughn. He knows he can be a productive major-league player. I imagine he's going to take advantage of this.' Getz expressed a similar belief in Elko, 26, who went 5-for-31 (.161) with three home runs and five RBIs in 10 games. 'He showed the power, he hit some big home runs for us,' Getz said. 'He made some really nice plays at first base. There are some areas of his game that can improve offensively. Tighten up the strike zone, there was some chase. But this opportunity for him to get up here, he can get a taste for what the big leagues is about, see some of the arms that he did. 'We played two first-place clubs, with the Cubs and Seattle, and to be able to be able to experience that is going to be very valuable for someone like Tim Elko. He's a bright kid, hard-worker and has made a lot of adjustments in his career. I do think that Tim Elko has a major league career in front of him.' Getz said the club opted to 'balance out the lineup,' when it came to Elko and the roster construction. The Sox had two veterans back in the lineup Friday in Tauchman — who played right field — and Benintendi — who served as the DH. Tauchman had been on the injured list since April 10 with a right hamstring strain. The Sox retroactively placed Benintendi on the IL on May 5 with a left calf strain. 'The left-handed bats are going to be helpful,' Getz said. 'It's probably the healthiest our team has been all year, in addition to the most balanced in terms of lefties and righties.'
