The Most Notable Highlights From SoxFest 2018

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending my first SoxFest ever, and it didn't disappoint. 2018 marked the first sold out SoxFest since the World Series 10 year reunion in 2015. This SoxFest weekend was different than years past, mainly because of the amount of prospects that were in attendance. Zack Burdi, Jake Burger, Gavin Sheets, Zack Collins, Alec Hansen, Dylan Cease, Blake Rutherford, Michael Kopech, and Eloy Jimenez all were in attendance decked out in White Sox gear. Here I will go over specific things I either saw or heard while I was wandering aimlessly throughout the Hilton this past weekend.  

1. Zack Burdi Is Ahead Of Schedule With His RehabDuring one of the seminars, I was actually sitting behind Zack Burdi's mother and a few of his aunts. They were all very nice and were talking with fans before the seminar began. One fan asked how Burdi is coming along with his rehab and his mom said that he is actually "two months ahead of schedule." Although this is fantastic news, coming back from Tommy John is still a lengthy process, so don't be surprised if Burdi decides to play it safe and just have a goal of getting 100% healthy for the 2019 season.

2.  Welington Castillo Has Been Actively FaceTiming Manny Machado

During an interview with Chuck Garfein, newly signed catcher Welington Castillo said that he has been FaceTiming his friend Manny Machado as often as once or twice a week. The Castillo signing could end up paying HUGE dividends if it can help lure over one of the biggest prizes in next years free agent pool. Castillo was saying how he can see that in the next couple years the White Sox are going to be really special. His main goal this year, (aside from helping the White Sox on the field), will be to do his best to convince Manny of that as well.

3. The Jake Burger/Nicky Delmonico Bromance Is Real

Jake Burger and Nicky Delmonico lived in Arizona this offseason and were workout buddies at Camelback Ranch. They did hot yoga together, ate meals together, and Burger picked Delmonico's brain about anything and everything about baseball. The two of them seem to feed off of each other's work ethic. They even want to start a podcast together according to Burger.

4. The Players Truly Believe They Can Compete In 2018

Everywhere I walked around SoxFest there was this energy throughout both the crowd and the players. At every seminar the White Sox at one point brought up how good they think they can be not just long term, but specifically this season as well. Tim Anderson repeatedly used the phrase "We're going to give you guys a show next year." and Nicky Delmonico stated "I think we can surprise the world." Now obviously they aren't going to say "we're going to be meh this year, probably still a year away." But this felt a little different than just saying we're going to be good just to say it. The entire team seems to have a chip on their shoulder to prove to everyone that the White Sox have arrived and are here to stay.

5. Yoan Moncada's English Has Improved

Coming over from Cuba to the states is a big transition, no matter how good of a baseball player you are. In fact, the biggest transition happens off of the field. A different language, culture, diet, and weather all play a big factor in transitioning from Cuba to the United States. At one of the seminars, Moncada only had to use his translator a few times. Otherwise he had a pretty decent idea of what was going on. He seems to have picked up on American profanity as well. When asked who would win in an arm wrestling competition between himself and Michael Kopech, Moncada replied immediately while pointing to Kopech, "This guy, hes f***ing strong."

6. The Team Loves Hanging Out Together As Friends

A few days before SoxFest began, some of the younger guys on the team went to the Blackhawks game. Delmonico even participated in Shoot The Puck in between periods. Afterwards, they all hopped on a party bus and tore up the downtown bars. Tim Anderson posted an instagram live video of himself, Carson Fulmer, Michael Kopech, Nicky Delmonico, and Lucas Giolito all having a blast. Over the actual weekend, they all had dinner together and once again, hit up the bars after long days of signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. The chemistry and the culture this team is building together cannot be undervalued. If they love hanging out together this much off the field, then they will go to war for each other on the field.

7. The White Sox Have Recently Offered Nine Figure Contracts

Rick Hahn was asked time and time again if the White Sox are going to spend big next offseason given that the biggest contract in franchise history is Jose Abreu's 68MM. Hahn was quick to explain that even though Abreu has the biggest contract in franchise history, they have in fact offered much bigger contracts as of late. Some of which reached the nine figure mark. Who those players were, we don't know. But it seems like Hahn and the rest of the front office aren't going to be cheap when it comes to next offseason's free agent pool.

8. Carlos Rodon Started Throwing Monday

When asked about his own rehab stint, Rodon told everyone that he is starting his throwing program on Monday (yesterday). Although there isn't a date set for a probable return to the rotation, he said he should definitely be back before the All-Star break. So while it is great to hear that he has started throwing, it looks like any slim chance there was of him being ready by Opening Day is officially gone.

9. Jose Abreu Is Extremely Fit

Last season Jose Abreu was noticeably slimmer, and he went on to have one of his best seasons in the MLB. In an interview this past weekend, Abreu said he has lost another ten pounds. He looks as strong as ever, and seemed incredibly eager to get back to work at Spring Training.

10. Michael Kopech Already Talks Like An Established MLB Veteran

Whether it was pictures, autograph sessions, or seminars, Michael Kopech was by far the hottest attraction at SoxFest. Hearing him speak made me completely forget that he is a 21-year-old kid. He admitted last year he was a little frustrated he was in Double-A for so long, but realized now that it was worth the extra time. I can tell fellow White Sox fans confidently that the only thing he cares about is bringing a championship to the South Side. If he plays how he practices, he won't be in the minors much longer, and when he reaches the MLB, there is no reason to think he won't be a legit star.

11. Blake Rutherford Looked Significantly Bigger

Fans are understandably higher on Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert than Blake Rutherford when it comes to outfield prospects. Blake's first season in the minor leagues didn't go so well, and people seemed to take notice. He dropped from the 45th overall prospect in baseball to the 99th. Many people knocked his power, as he didn't even slug .400 last year. However, at SoxFest Rutherford looked bigger, and confirmed that he has added 10-15 pounds of muscle this offseason. Director of Player Development Chris Getz talked about how the ball seemed to be carrying more off of Blake's bat at hitter's mini camp a few weeks ago. He can already hit to all areas of the field. If he truly can tap into his power, the future of the White Sox becomes that much brighter. It was amazing meeting all of the prospects and current players on the White Sox. You could just tell that they are all amped up for the season to start. If the passion and energy the players and prospects expressed at SoxFest translates to the 2018 season, fans will be in for a treat from the bottom of the organization all the way to the top.