Now Healthy, Tim Elko Bashes Baseballs In Class A
First baseman Tim Elko started his professional career at the bottom, but he and his powerful righthanded bat could quickly ascend the minor league ladder.
“He’s having a productive year,” White Sox assistant general manager/director of player development Chris Getz said.
The 24-year-old Elko finished his time with Low-A Kannapolis as the Carolina League leader in home runs (17) and RBIs (57) while hitting .297/.360/.556 in 66 games. He moved to High-A Winston-Salem in late June.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Elko shined in five seasons at Mississippi before the White Sox drafted him in the 10th round last year.
Remarkably, Elko played the 2021 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. He suffered the injury early in the season, sat out a month and returned as the Bulldogs’ DH.
“It’s possible that (his knee) affected his final year in college, and perhaps even early on with us,” Getz said. “Medically, he’s in a very good spot. The knee is healthy.”
After signing with Chicago, Elko managed a disappointing .706 OPS in 17 games for Kannapolis last summer and appeared to be less than 100% healthy.
That changed this year.
“He’s been able to strengthen his lower body now and really activate certain areas of his swing because of the health of his knee,” Getz said. “That’s contributed to some of his success he’s had so far, but he’s a really talented player who works his butt off.”
Elko’s Low-A strikeout rate fell from 39% to 30% year over year.
“Just his mature approach to the game, obviously playing at a big-time program and accomplishing what he has in his career, I think has helped this transition,” Getz said. “We look forward to how his career plays out.”
CHI-LITES
— Out for nearly three months with a mid-back strain, shortstop Colson Montgomery returned to the field on June 19 in the Arizona Complex League. He joined High-A Winston-Salem on July 4.
— After dealing with a nagging groin injury, third baseman Bryan Ramos joined Double-A Birmingham on May 30.
