By Bruce Levine–
CHICAGO (CBS) — What do we make out of White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson?
Initially, he was a highly touted slugger selected in the first round by Arizona in the 2009 June Amateur Draft. Fast forward: Davidson, after doing nicely in the Diamondbacks system (80 home runs in four minor-league seasons), was traded for closer Addison Reed in the offseason of 2013.
The minor-league trials and tribulations were indeed trying on the California native. In two successive Triple-A seasons, he hit .196 and .203. Collectively, he struck out 365 times in 2014-15. During 2016, it got better for Davidson. He was hitting the ball well and was promoted to the White Sox last summer. As fate would have it, he broke an ankle in his first game with Chicago and missed the rest of the season.
Now, it appears player development has proved out for the 26-year-old infielder. He is tied for the team lead in home runs with Jose Abreu (10 each). His 25 RBI are fourth on the team in that department. All of this comes despite the fact that seven of his teammates have more plate appearances.
How does this change occur for a talented but struggling player? In this case, hard work and a positive mental approach.
“In this game, you have to have a very short memory,” said hitting coach Todd Steverson. “At the same time, for a player like Matt, you must remember what happened and learn from it.”
Davidson can win the third base position outright this summer. Incumbent third sacker Todd Frazier will continue to be the subject of trade talks. The easygoing Davidson has played some at first base and DH as well.
“I have learned how to look at each day as a new day,” Davidson said about his prior bad seasons. “I have learned how to focus on what I can control. In the past, I carried too much with me. It has been definitely relaxing to concentrate on controlling what you can control and letting the other stuff go. I have let those things go and, as a result, lessened all anxiety.”
Davidson has still a swing-and-misses factor to deal with. He has struck out in 35 percent of his plate appearances. The fact that the Sox organization has begun a rebuild has let players like Davidson have more time to play in the big leagues and mature without fear on instant demotion.
“It definitely helps you know you have time to grow here,” Davidson said. “We want to win and do things correctly, but if you’re on a team that has to win now, the manager will play the guys who are the hottest at that moment.”
Manager Rick Renteria and his coaching staff have mapped out a nice plan for Davidson so far.
“We want to get Frazier off of his feet sometimes,” he said. “We also want Matt to play some first base. We have been sliding him into the DH role quite a bit. The good thing is, he has been able to handle it. He has done a nice job of doing his defensive work and staying sharp. He seems to be able to keep his mind clear and stay ready.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2r9oPyv
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