A.L. Central

Sporting News, The, August 2, 1999

Beltran makes case

Royals CF Carlos Beltran has not had the luxury of being protected like a rookie. But by the look of things, he hasn't needed coddling. Entering this week, he had played in 94 of 97 games and hit .306, mostly from the leadoff spot, with 13 homers and 67 RBIs.

As one of the poster boys for the Royals' youth movement, Beltran is a strong candidate for A.L. Rookie of the Year, although Rangers reliever Jeff Zimmerman is the sexier choice. Zimmerman literally appeared out of nowhere and would likely win it today. He hadn't lost a game in 41 appearances and was 8-0 entering this week. He also was carrying an 0.78 ERA, and opponents were hitting .107 against him.

But to make a good pick, you have to argue relevance. The switch-hitting Beltran has erased Kansas City deficits in the final at-bat five times. Defensively, Beltran covers a lot of ground and makes up a third of an up-and -coming Royals' outfield with LF Johnny Damon and RF Jermaine Dye.

Zimmerman makes a potent 1-2 combination with closer John Wetteland behind him, and the Rangers are 28-7 when he pitches. But he doesn't have an everyday impact as a reliever. Head to head, Beltran should have that advantage. If it's consistency you crave, consider that Beltran has gone hitless in back-to-back games just once this season.

Who will stand the test of 162 games? Zimmerman has the added pressure of playing for a playoff contender. But Beltran won't dodge the spotlight, even playing for a team that was 19 games off the pace.

Royals manager Tony Muser moved Beltran into the No. 3 spot in the order to start the second half to give him more RBI opportunities. Kansas City hopes that move pays off this weekend, when it travels to Arlington to face Zimmerman and the Rangers. --Luciana Chavez

Chicago

46-49: 2nd

Playing first base makes Thomas a better hitter

For now, Frank Thomas is serving as DH, and Paul Konerko is playing first base, making some solid plays that Thomas likely would have missed. But manager Jerry Manuel makes it clear he wants Thomas to eventually resume playing first base. Thomas might be a defensive liability at times, but he is batting .356 when playing first this season compared to hitting around .280 as the DH. Thomas has balked in the past, but he is realizing how much better a hitter he is when he plays in the field.... The team has been extremely patient with 3B Greg Norton, but it is finding it harder to stick with a player who has been lost at the plate in July. Norton, a switch hitter, made two starts against the Blue Jays last weekend and went 0-for-6. For the month, Norton had just one hit in 35 at-bats, which dropped his average to a sickly .218. His 20 errors are the most in the A.L.

WHAT ABOUT ED? With the trade deadline dosing in, the team likely will stand pat and continue to develop young players on the roster. But if a wild-card run still is within reach, the team could make a trade to add a third baseman. Assuming he's available, Pittsburgh's Ed Sprague would be a great fit. Sprague would provide some much-needed pop in the lineup. The team isn't interested in a player with a long-term contract became it is expecting Joe Crede to take over at third sometime next season. The team has plenty of minor league pitching talent to dangle, but it is not likely to dip into that treasure chest.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: LHP Jim Parque throws one of the best changeups in baseball. But there is concern about his tendency to slow down when a runner gets on base. Against the Blue Jays last Friday, Parque paid way too much attention to runner Homer Bush, who reached first with a single in the fifth inning. Toronto's next batter, the light-hitting Mike Matheny, took advantage of Parque's lack of focus and hit a two-run homer in the Jays' 2-1 win. Parque pitched a tremendous game, but he needs to focus. --Scot Gregor

GRADING OUT

OFFENSE D

Magglio Ordonez has been carrying the team, but the Ali-Star needs some help.

PITCHING C

Keith Foulke and Bob Howry have proved to be a lethal relief duo.

DEFENSE C

14 errors are way too many for Ray Durham, given his range and athletic ability.

WHITE SOX

                   AVG    G    AB    R     H   HR

(*)Singleton( )   .324   76   281   40    91   10
Ordonez           .324   93   377   60   122   21
Thomas            .322   94   342   52   110   13
(*)Lee            .301   66   256   34    77    5
Fordyce           .298   64   208   19    62    5
Durhan(#)         .294   94   388   76   114   11
Konerko           .292   76   267   32    78   13
Jackson           .267   54   101   15    27    2
(*)Wilson         .256   50   117   15    30    2
Caruso( )         .256   84   328   36    84    1
Norton(#)         .218   84   275   43    60   11
(*)Simmons(#)     .200    5     5    0     1    0
(*)Johnson( )     .186   41   113   16    21    4
(*)Rodriguez(#)   .184   19    38    4     7    1

                  RBI    OBP    SLG    SB   K   BB    E

(*)Singleton( )    51   .348   .541   10   20   11    2
Ordonez            79   .367   .554    8   36   27    3
Thomas             60   .421   .512    3   42   58    3
(*)Lee             38   .325   .422    2   31    7    3
Fordyce            27   .345   .452    1   36   13    6
Durhan(#)          42   .368   .472   19   71   45   14
Konerko            35   .338   .494    0   34   17    2
Jackson            10   .282   .396    4   15    2    2
(*)Wilson          10   .315   .325    1    9   10    4
Caruso( )          23   .275   .308    8   17    7   17
Norton(#)          30   .343   .382    4   61   51   20
(*)Simmons(#)       0   .333   .200    0    2    1    1
(*)Johnson( )      10   .321   .327    2   38   22    2
(*)Rodriguez(#)     4   .311   .289    0    4    6    2