Grady Sizemore will join the White Sox next season as a part of manager Pedro Grifol’s coaching staff, reports Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. The two-time Gold Glove winner will take on a dual role as outfield and baserunning coach. Chicago did not have a dedicated coach for either job last season, so Sizemore isn’t necessarily replacing anyone currently on staff. However, Levine notes that the White Sox will not announce their full coaching staff for 2024 until later this week.
The All-Star center fielder was one of the brightest young stars in baseball during the mid-2000s, earning MVP votes in four straight seasons from age 22 to 25. In addition to his power and plate discipline, he was a gifted defender and a threat on the bases; during his brief peak, he was one of the most highly-regarded outfield gloves and baserunners in the game. Unfortunately, injuries began to take their toll in his age-26 campaign, and Sizemore was never the same. He played just 313 games from 2010-15, hitting for a .665 OPS and stealing just 13 bases in 21 attempts. Even his once-stellar glove became a liability, and he played his final game just two months after his 33rd birthday.
In 2017, Sizemore returned to baseball, joining Cleveland (his long-time team) as an advisor to the player development staff. However, his new job with the White Sox marks his official return to the dugout following the end of his playing career in 2015.
One of the best five-tool players I’ve ever seen unfortunately derailed by injuries.
Agreed. What he was doing and able to do was Griffey Jr. level stuff. Damn shame injuries took away what could’ve been a great career. And to think he was the throw in in the Colon trade.
He was never doing Ken Griffey Jr. level stuff. Good young player before the injuries, but let’s not get carried away with the comparisons.
Mookie is probably a better comp but still better than Sizemore.
Mookie through age 26 .301/.374/.519 139 HR 126 SB. Sizemore through age 26 .275/.367/.485 129 HR 130 SB.
Both went 30/30 at age 25. Sizemore GG in CF, Mookie GG mostly RF.
Final fact – Griffey never stole more than 24 bases. Many of us underestimate his power and overestimate his speed as a younger player.
Whoah. Haven’t heard about Sizemore in a long time.
One of the all time What If’s of baseball greatness.
Joe Charboneau!
Can’t wait to hear the rest of the former Angels coaches to be announced.
If they get 30 games out of Eloy and Moncada, they will be lucky.
Eloy will be gone this winter
Don’t know for sure how he’ll be as a coach, but I think the Sox could have done worse. He was such a talented player. It’s a shame about the injuries.
This will be the biggest signing all off season for the sux
The Sox suck so they needed more size. Gradysizmores the man.
Hah I suggested when the WHite Sox signed Travis Swaggerty that he seek out Grady in the off-season to find himself because I thought Grady was his comp and he didn’t know it . Anyway A’s are my team but I think I need a front office job .
Does it really matter? Honestly, the Sox need an entire pitching staff and half a lineup.
They have no SS, 2B, RF or C. They have 1 starting pitcher (Cease) and 1 relief pitcher (Santos).
In an unrelated move, the Sox are bringing back Albert Belle to provide the explosive temperament needed in the dugouut
The biggest element of this story is in the 2023 season a major league team, in this day and age, had neither a dedicated coach for baserunning or outfielders.
Just another reason why penny pinching Jerry Reinsdorf holds back the franchise and it proves we won’t ascend until he’s not the principal owner any longer.
Two positions went vacant last year so this year they changed that and hired one person to do both jobs.
Getz has no direction. I like the hire but the team and farm are going nowhere fast.