Edgar Quero Focuses On Work Behind The Plate For White Sox
New White Sox GM Chris Getz has been loading up on veteran catchers this offseason.
Getz signed free agent Martin Maldonado and acquired Max Stassi in a trade with the Braves. Along with holdover Korey Lee, who struggled with Chicago late last season after coming over in a trade from the Astros, the White Sox look to be set behind the plate.
For now.
There is little doubt Edgar Quero is the organization’s catcher of the future.
The White Sox acquired Quero from the Angels in the July deal that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to Los Angeles.
At age 20, Quero spent the entire year in the Double-A Southern League and hit a combined .255/.380/.351 with six home runs in 101 games for Rocket City and Birmingham.
In 2022 he was MVP of the California League.
Quero is likely going to spend much of this season with Triple-A Charlotte, but he’s getting close to Chicago.
“He took well to an assignment (to Double-A) that was aggressive,” Getz said. “He’s a very smart kid with switch-hitting ability. I would say that looking into next season, he’s certainly going to be at the upper levels, and with really talented players, you never know how that’s going to play out.
“He’s certainly a guy who we know that he’s coming and we are excited to have him.”
For as well as he’s hit since signing with the Angels for $200,000 out of Cuba in 2021, Quero is more concerned with improving his all-around catching skills.
“I’m just focused on the work behind the plate, to help the team, to help the pitcher,” Quero said. “That’s everything for me. I’m just trying to play the right way and be a good player and a good teammate.”
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol was a minor league catcher and coached the position during stints with the Royals and Mariners. He’s looking forward to watching Quero perform in spring training.
“He’s ready to get to work,” Grifol said. “He seems to love the game and he loves the leadership part of that position. He understands the demands of the position.”
CHI-LITES
— The White Sox selected lefthander Shane Drohan from the Red Sox in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old Drohan recorded a 5.06 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester last season.
— Looking to add upper-level catching depth, Chicago signed Chuckie Robinson to a minor league contract. He saw big league time with the 2022 Reds.
