With each game — and home run — Oscar Colas’ amazing power surge is looking less and less like a hot streak and more like the start of a legitimate breakout. The White Sox must agree because they reportedly are calling him up today.
After his demotion on May 2, Colas hit just two home runs in his first 41 games. Then, something clicked and he socked an astounding seven homers in his next seven games.
It begs the question: What’s the catalyst for this turnaround?
I can only guess that Colas made a change in his swing to boost his launch angle. He’s consistently hit the ball hard all year in Charlotte but rarely generated anything other than line drives. I am looking forward to catching up with hitting coach Cam Seitzer this week to get some insights.
Immediately after his demotion, the White Sox stressed pitch selection and plate discipline for the young outfielder. But Colas admitted several weeks ago that he’s an aggressive hitter by nature and it is a difficult adjustment.
Perhaps Colas has become the more patient hitter the Sox sought. And with those new skills in place, maybe the Sox hitting instructors were ready to add the final piece to the puzzle — launch angle.
As far as the promotion to Chicago, it isn't enough that Colas has been called up -- he needs to be in the lineup day in, day out. I'd have to think the White Sox agree.
What Happened To Jimmy Lambert?
Jimmy Lambert went on the IL on May 29 with an ankle injury, and returned 10 days later to begin a rehab in Charlotte. After four appearances, with mixed results, he was recalled to Chicago. He surrendered three hits and a walk against Texas, and was demoted to Charlotte the next day.
He’s pitched three times for Charlotte since, and was ineffective in all three outings. I have to wonder if he’s he trying to pitch through an ankle that isn’t fully recovered, or did the layoff throw off his mechanics?
Roster Comings And Goings
It was a busy week: reliever Lane Ramsey has returned from the IL; outfielder Tyler Neslony has been promoted from Birmingham for what will be his second stint with the Knights; Adam Haseley has returned to Charlotte and catcher Carlos Perez has been called up; and Bryan Shaw has been summoned to fill in for Michael Kopech. Today, it seems, Oscar Colas is on his way to Chicago.
And pitcher AJ Alexy has also been released.
The White Sox had high hopes for AJ Alexy when they signed the former Dodger, Ranger, Nat and Twin this past off-season and gave him a prized spot on the 40-man roster.
But control was a huge problem and he was eventually taken out of the rotation and used sparingly out of the pen as Matt Zaleski and Donnie Veal sought to fix him.
Alexy finished his time in the White Sox organization with 41 walks in 21 innings pitched.
