February 11, 2009
Dayan Viciedo will get long look at White Sox camp
Cuban teen has great skills, especially as a hitter, and could make a big impact for the White Sox
The hitting credentials were impressive, but the White Sox's investment was even more breathtaking.
In signing 19-year-old Cuban infielder Dayan Viciedo in December, the Sox at least bought themselves plenty of evaluation time during a long spring training.
The Sox seem to thrive on spring surprises, but Viciedo presents a different challenge.
Boone Logan jumped from Class A to the 2006 Opening Day roster at 21 years old, though as a middle reliever. Cuban infielder Alexei Ramirez signed a four-year, $4.75 million contract but became a starter only after Juan Uribe strained a hamstring in mid-May.
Viciedo must unseat a more experienced and now healthy Josh Fields to win the starting job at third base. But the Sox's four-year, $10 million investment in Viciedo, for whom they outbid the Yankees and Red Sox, indicates he will play a significant role in their long-term plans.
"You don't see a 16-year-old play on a national team [as he did]," said an international scout for an American League team.
Still, the same scout and two evaluators from a National League club think the Sox's investment is too risky. They point to Viciedo's previous weight problems as a warning flag. They also suspect he will end up at first base, meaning his strong arm will be less of a factor in his value.
But the Sox figure Viciedo will follow Ramirez's lead and reverse a trend of Cuban position players who have fizzled or attained less success than was projected for them.
Ramirez has taken Viciedo under his wing in the Miami area by working out with him and showing him how to acclimate to a new country and language in the manner similar to that of Sox pitcher and fellow Cuban Jose Contreras.
According to those who have seen him lately, the forecast is encouraging.
"He's very good," Ramirez said. "He's very strong."
The Sox instructed the 6-foot-1-inch Viciedo to report to spring training at 230 pounds. The AL scout was worried because he said Viciedo had swelled to 262 after leaving Cuba last fall, though he trimmed to about 246 around the time of his tryout in November.
"He's not as fat as everyone thinks he is," general manager Ken Williams said. "The weight is what it is, but it's not fat. He's a big kid."
Based on reports from manager Ozzie Guillen and coach Joey Cora, who has observed workouts in Miami, they have no doubts Viciedo can play third.
"He said he didn't come here to go to Triple A," Guillen said.
But Guillen places a premium on defense, and Viciedo must show he can do more than hit. During a two-day workout in the Dominican Republic, Viciedo ripped line drives to the opposite field and wasn't fooled by breaking pitches.
"He has more hitting ability than Alexei," the AL scout said. "But he has to make adjustments. I see some ways to get him out. Alexei is a great athlete who is very smart and can adjust.
"The Sox were right on with Alexei, but I want to see if Viciedo can do more than hit over an extended period."
mgonzales@tribune.com
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