Chicago White Sox rookie Nate Jones makes it to bullpen – MLB News
The Chicago White Sox announced their final rotation spot on late Saturday night declaring rookie Nate Jones to be the 12th utility pitcher for the team in the next Major League competition. Jones won this spot from veteran and highly experienced starting pitcher Brian Bruney, who recently signed a Minor League contract with the White Sox and also could perform well in this year’s Spring Training.
White Sox’s general manager Kenny Williams was the first one from the White Sox management who stated in the media explaining all the different as aspects leading to this bold decision.
He said explaining in detail, "He's not out of nowhere for us, When you throw 97-100 mph with a hard curve ball, and I think you guys finally saw the changeup a little bit [Friday] night, which we developed when he went down to start a couple years ago so that he could have something...with a changeup around the 86 mph range with some sink and fade to it, along with the curveball that makes everything better.”
He added with slight more confidence, “One of the things we talked about was our confidence in some of the guys coming in the bullpen, we thought that would be a strength of ours.”
Jones, who is only 26-year-old, pitched tremendously well in this year’s Spring Training and showed his hidden skills shattering many hitters in Arizona’s Cactus League. Lately against an exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals, Jones impressed the White Sox’s current manager Robin Ventura who finally decided over the 12th spot giving a chance to a young former Northern Kentucky University player for 2012 Opening Day.
Some experts say that Jones’ final roster spot has determined by his last game’s performance while some say that because Bruney now looking forward to his future with the Minor League and showed no good performances in the Spring Training is the main reason behind as Jones’ so easily picked by the management to start the season. In the meanwhile, the White Sox’s manager Ventura is happy for Jones’ as he filled the empty 12th spot which will certainly increase their winning chances next season.
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