Best-laid Plans

The best-laid plans of mice and general managers (to say nothing of blogging fans) can run amiss.  White Sox Gm Rick Hahn thought—I thought—rookie second baseman Micah Johnson would energize the Sox lineup with his speed.  Instead, Johnson stole three bases while being thrown out twice.  Johnson also was expected to play an adequate second base, but he leaves with a .969 fielding average along with questions about his hands (hard) and range (not much).  If Johnson wants to make it back to the majors, he is going to have to dispel all doubts, which means burning up AAA.  Seriously, good luck, Micah.

Johnson’s replacement is Carolos Sanchez, someone who has been tearing up minor-league pitching at a .344 clip.  My preference would have been Marcus Semien, who was shipped off to Oakland in the Jeff Samardzija deal.  From an offensive perspective, Semien has been a steal with a .309 average and six homeruns.  Defensively, he’s a walking sieve with 11 errors and a .923 fielding average.

Last night, Sanchez and Semien each had a hit while ex-Sox catcher Josh Phegley homered in a 7-6 Sox win as Oakland’s Stephen Vogt was thrown out at the plate for the game’s final out.  Micah Johnson went hitless for Charlotte.