White Sox Notebook: Ventura Happy With Dunn's Start Despite Numbers
By Adam Hoge-
U.S. CELLULAR FIELD (CBS) While Adam Dunn's early numbers might still not be where they once were, they're much better than they were last year.
Dunn is off to a decent start, hitting .233 with an OBP of .324 and an OPS of .757. He has three RBIs with three doubles and one home run, although he was certainly robbed of a home run by the wind Sunday. So far he's struck out 13 times.
"He's done fine," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Monday. "He's going to have strikeouts but you want him to be aggressive and go to the plate with confidence. He's done that. Even in the work he's done in the spring and he's done here, I like what he's doing. I like what you're going to see from him in the future."
Those around Dunn know he hasn't lost any confidence or swagger despite the fact he's not off to a blistering start and hasn't hit a home run since Opening Day. Dunn's at-bat are noticeably better than they were last season, as he's seeing the ball better and taking opposing pitchers deep in the count.
Not Done With Beckham
One player the White Sox might be more concerned about his Gordon Beckham, who has only three hits in 22 at-bats over seven games.
Read More: Hoge's White Sox Mailbag: Time To Send Beckham Down?
The cries from fans to send him down to Triple-A have already started, but the White Sox aren't going to change their tune on Beckham in early April.
"It's early in the season," Ventura said. "You're looking at a guy that's competitive and wants to do well all the time so there is a certain give and take between being aggressive and being patient and relaxed. He just wants to do well and I understand that. I trust him. It's not that he's not a good player. He's a great player. It will come."
Leyland's Comments Don't 'Guarantee Anything'
Tigers manager Jim Leyland went to bat for the White Sox Sunday saying those that predicted the Southsiders to struggle this season "don't know anything about baseball" and are "crazy."
Ventura might appreciate those defending his ballclub, but he was quick to point out Monday that just because Leyland thinks the White Sox might be better than most think, it doesn't mean they actually are.
"He has an opinion and he's seen a lot baseball, but it doesn't guarantee anything," Ventura said. "It's more about what we think and how we prepare and go about it."
So at what point does a team know they can be good?
"I think once it gets to the point where you believe you're going to win the games that you play, that's what you're looking for," the White Sox manager said.
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