KANSAS CITY — What could prove to be the worst team in modern baseball history didn’t have room for Romy Gonzalez on its roster. It proved to be the biggest break of his career.
The Chicago White Sox designated Gonzalez for assignment on Jan. 26. The 27-year-old utility player was in limbo for five days before the Red Sox claimed him off waivers.
Baltimore claimed Gonzalez, too. But the Sox were ahead of the Orioles based on the 2023 standings.
“Honestly, I was just excited for the opportunity,” Gonzalez said. “Boston is a legendary franchise. Playing at Fenway Park, everything about it was great. I was glad when they claimed me.”
Gonzalez did not make the team out of spring training but was called up on April 9.
Gonzalez has a .789 OPS since and started games at first base, second base, shortstop, third base, center field, left field, and DH. He also mixed in two innings in right field.
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They feel his best position is second base, but the Sox are comfortable with Gonzalez anywhere on the field other than the corner outfield.
For a team short on righthanded hitters, Gonzalez has played an important role bringing balance to the lineup and giving the Sox an offensive threat off the bench.
Gonzalez is 11 of 30 with five extra-base hits and four RBIs in his last 10 games. His production — along with the trade for righthanded hitting catcher Danny Jansen — has given the Sox more ways to attack lefthanded starters.
“It helps,” manager Alex Cora said. “We can be aggressive in the game early on.”
But Gonzalez brings more than a righthanded bat and defensive versatility to the mix.
The two-run homer he hit in the seventh inning of Monday night’s 9-5 victory against the Royals off Angel Zerpa had an exit velocity of 112.3 miles per hour and soared 452 feet at a low trajectory before crashing into the back wall of a small set of bleachers in center field.
“That’s my best ball for sure,” Gonzalez said. “He has a big fastball, so I knew he was going to challenge me. Made a pitch where I wanted it and put a good swing on it.”
Cora was a bit more succinct.
“He crushed that ball,” the manager said.
Gonzalez knows he will be in the lineup against lefty starters and that he has to be ready for pinch-hit opportunities against lefthanded relievers.
The coaching staff keeps him prepared for when those opportunities arise.
“As the season has gone on, I’m ready behind AC with my [batting] gloves on,” Gonzalez said. “I know how he likes to use matchups. He puts me in a good spot to succeed.”
Rob Refsnyder, a career utility man, has helped Gonzalez learn how to stay ready even if he sits for a few days in a row.
“He’s been in that role for quite some time and I’ve learned so much from him,” Gonzalez said.
Roman Gonzalez — his nickname is pronounced “RO-me” by the way — played at the University of Miami and was drafted by the White Sox in 2018.
“He went to the right school,” said Cora, who also was a Hurricane.
Gonzalez made his major league debut in 2021 and played in 10 games for a team that won 93 games under Tony La Russa and made the playoffs.
Gonzalez played in 32 games in 2022 and 44 games in 2023 as the franchise started to sink.
For Gonzalez, who is still friendly with many of the White Sox players and coaches, it’s tough to watch.
“You never like to see that. There’s a lot of good guys over there in that clubhouse too,” he said. “I feel for them. We had a good team a few years ago. Tough to see what is going on there.”
As the White Sox stagger toward what could be 120 or more losses, Gonzalez could be headed for the postseason.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “This team has been a good fit for me. I can’t say enough good things.”
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
