Text size:

Gordon Beckham turns heads at second base for Chicago White Sox

Move from usual spot could put Beckham on Opening Day roster

By Dave van Dyck | Tribune reporter

March 7, 2009

GLENDALE, Ariz. - While he denied that Gordon Beckham starting at second base Friday was a tryout, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen wouldn't rule out last year's first-round draft pick making the Opening Day roster.

"You know, I can't say no. I don't want to be wrong," Guillen said after Beckham collected two more hits and a walk as the leadoff hitter in a 10-3 exhibition victory over Team Australia. "But I want this kid to play every day. You never know, but if he's going to make a big-league team, he has to play every day."

The problem would be finding a place for him to play because Alexei Ramirez is expected to be the shortstop for many years. But Ramirez played second base very well last year and could move back if Beckham plays his natural position of shortstop.

"Right now, that's not our plan," Guillen said. "I think Alexei's a better shortstop. Right now, I don't think [Beckham would play] third base or shortstop. I don't know about second base. He might have a shot, a long shot."

Asked if he held out any hope of making the big team in April, Beckham replied:

"No. I mean, I take my preparation as seriously as I can. My mind-set is I want to make this team. Why wouldn't I? I don't even want to think about it because if I do make it, it's because I haven't thought about it and I'm not trying to press."

While Friday's hits won't count in official spring statistics, Beckham is batting .231 with a .769 slugging percentage in seven spring games. And he was flawless at second base, even helping turn one double play.

"He was great, a great performance," Guillen said. "No matter who you face, it's a big-league game. He seems so comfortable out there, has so much confidence in himself."

Beckham acknowledged it "felt a little different" playing second base. He'll even get a chance to play some third base.

"We'll put him there just to get him at-bats," Guillen said. "He's so good, you don't want to play around with his mind."

Extra innings: Commissioner Bud Selig toured the Camelback Ranch facility. "It's remarkable," he said. "Everybody has raved about it, and everybody has said it would stun you. It's even better than that." … Selig defended his role in the steroid scandal while saying the players' union fought passage of testing. "Am I sensitive about people saying we ignored this problem?" Selig said. "You bet I am, and it's wrong, it's just wrong."

Guillen laughed when asked if he'd talked to Selig. "He was here?" Guillen said. "What, did he come to collect my money? Every time I talk to the commissioner, it's because I got in trouble." Selig once fined Guillen and ordered him to attend sensitivity class for comments that some considered inappropriate. ...

Rehabbing pitchers Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon are expected to throw for a second time Monday morning. … Friday's 10-3 victory against Australia's World Baseball Classic team did not count in the Cactus League standings and drew a crowd of just 2,625. … The Sox have never had an Australian player on their major-league roster, though outfielder Thomas Brice was a minor-leaguer from 2002-05.

dvandyck@tribune.com