White Sox spring roster battle: Utility infielder

Leury Garcia

Who will be the utility infielder for the White Sox in 2023? This is one roster battle I'm keeping an eye on during Cactus League play this year.

There are three players under consideration for that spot: Leury Garcia, Romy Gonzalez and Hanser Alberto. 

With Pedro Grifol being a first-year manager, we can't be sure what he values in terms of his bench. Might he keep two of these three utility players? Possibly, but I would assume that only one of them comes north. If you keep two, they are redundant on the roster. 

Garcia would seem to be the favorite, because he's got two years and $11 million remaining on his contract. If he doesn't make the club, Jerry Reinsdorf would have to pay him to go away. That doesn't seem likely, right?

Alberto is at a disadvantage. He's a non-roster invitee. Gonzalez can still be optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, but at least he has the security of being on the 40-man roster.

I was thinking about this roster battle because all three players started Thursday in the Sox's 6-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Alberto started at third base and had a big game. He went 3 for 3 with a triple, a double and two runs scored. He's now 6 for 8 on the spring.

Garcia started at shortstop and went 1 for 3 with a two-run homer. Garcia is currently 3 for 10 this spring.

Gonzalez batted leadoff and played right field, going 0 for 3. He is now 1 for 9 in the Cactus League.

The regulars on the left side of the Sox infield, shortstop Tim Anderson and third baseman Yoan Moncada, are off to play in the World Baseball Classic. That means, all these guys will receive plenty of playing time to sort this out.

With Thursday's win, the Sox are 3-3 in spring ball.