1. Hey, fans in the stands! It didn't matter that this game was only six innings. It didn't matter that the Sox didn't pitch a single guy who has a chance of making the major-league roster. It was just good to see baseball on TV again, and most of all, it was good to see 2,000 or so fans in the stands at a Sox game. While that's a relatively sparse gathering, it sure beats zero fans. The broadcast almost felt like watching a normal spring game.
2. The second coming of Dan Wright? As noted before, the Sox trotted out pitchers whom we will likely not see at Guaranteed Rate Field at any point in 2021. Six pitchers all worked one inning. They were: Mike Wright, Jacob Lindgren, Kade McClure, Bennett Sousa, Kyle Kubat and Danny Dopico. You could be forgiven if you're not familiar with any of those guys.
Mike Wright, a 31-year-old veteran with previous big-league time with the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners, got the start. He immediately evoked memories of erstwhile right-hander Dan Wright, who made 70 horrible appearances for the Sox from 2001 to 2004. Mike Wright had a full count on his first three batters, giving up a walk, a single and a three-run homer to Keston Hiura. Absolutely terrible pitching. Mike Wright even wore the same number as Dan Wright: 46.
3. Still hitting lefties. The Sox got their two runs in the first inning off Milwaukee starter Eric Lauer, who didn't pitch much last season. Lauer, a left-hander, was a member of the San Diego Padres starting rotation in 2018 and 2019. He gave up a leadoff single to Tim Anderson, and a two-run homer to Adam Engel. Anderson and Engel dominated left-handed pitchers last season, and they picked up where they left off. But that was about it for the Sox offense, which totaled only four hits for the game.
4. First look at Vaughn. One of the big stories in Sox camp is whether Andrew Vaughn can win the everyday job as designated hitter. The former first-round pick batted fourth in Sunday's lineup, and he went 0 for 1 with two walks. Vaughn's understanding of the strike zone and plate discipline are of major-league quality, and he showed that with those walks. In his other at-bat, Vaughn fouled out to the catcher. We know Vaughn won't swing at many bad pitches. It remains to be seen whether he can punish pitches that are in the zone.
5. Burger back on the field. Jake Burger, the Sox's first-round draft pick in 2017, hasn't played affiliated ball since his draft year. He's torn his Achilles' tendon twice, and, of course, that pesky pandemic got in everyone's way last year. But Burger got the start at third base Sunday -- Yoan Moncada served as designated hitter. Burger went 0 for 3 with two flyouts and a strikeout, but hey, just getting him on the field represents progress. He's now a long shot to make the majors, but it's hard not to pull for the guy after the horrible injury luck he's been through.
The Sox have another game Monday against the Los Angeles Angels. The next televised game is Tuesday against the Texas Rangers. That one might be a little more interesting ... because Lucas Giolito is scheduled to be the starting pitcher.
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