The offseason is sure to produce a deluge of speculation on roster moves and with the White Sox in their second season of rebuilding most of it deserves attention. In fact, the volumes of roster moves in one year are something to marvel over and bare consistent double-checking. With players clinging to the carousel, it is easy to forget that Charlie Tilson is still with the South Siders.
Tilson made a few clandestine appearances in the fall instructional league without suffering an injury – a milestone for the tormented outfielder. After tearing a hamstring in 2016, Tilson seemed poised to inject speed at the top of the lineup for the White Sox in 2017. But willful optimism quickly gave way to the reality of another lost season for Tilson after he was sidelined with a stress reaction.
After the diagnosis, Tilson said, “I had a stress fracture in my right foot previously [in 2013], which made it a little alarming for me.” Still, his positivity could not be sapped. “I still have very little doubt I’ll be able to get back out there and be ready to play,” Tilson told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Sun-Times.
Everyone waited for Tilson’s words to become prophetic, but March turned into April and April turned into July without a whisper of his recovery. By August it became evident that Tilson’s season was lost.
The Charlie Tilson update in the game notes is not a good Charlie Tilson update pic.twitter.com/L1TNp1ucMo
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 30, 2017
Since Tilson joined the White Sox the complexion of the roster has changed and he could find himself without a home. Tilson will turn 25 in Dec. and every at-bat, drop-step and lead from first will be magnified and scrutinized.
Eloy Jimenez and Tito Polo are poised for a shot at the big leagues and Blake Rutherford, Luis Robert and Micker Adolfo are not far behind. Avisail Garcia earned himself a second chance with the White Sox and his future hangs in the balance with so much young talent forcing their way into the conversation. And let’s not forget the defensive splendor of Adam Engel this past season.
Rest assured Tilson is not dwelling on these decisions, he is just happy to play baseball writes James Fegan of The Athletic. Fegan traveled to instructs in Arizona and caught up with Tilson and Rick Hahn.
“It’s not simply him being out there playing, which is great,” Hahn said. “It’s the look on his face after he plays, almost a combination of excitement and quite frankly a little bit of relief because I know this is a real milestone for him. …”
Despite the glow of renewed optimism, Tilson hasn’t ruled out surgery on his ankle and understands that he is further away from the big leagues than ever before. “I would describe it as a test,” Tilson said, addressing his time at instructs. “There’s always possibilities but I’m just trying to take it a day at a time and keep doing the things that are working for me. And just stay ready to play and I’m pretty confident that I’ll make it through this just fine.”
White Sox hitting coordinator Mick Gellinger took an equally sanguine tone on Tilson as well, saying “…I think he did himself a great justice. He’s got a great mindset right now.”
Tilson seems to be a likable prospect and it is hard to root against a guy that has suffered so many injuries. But the reality is that if Tilson doesn’t stay healthy and light the world on fire at Spring Training he could find himself searching for a new team. It is never easy to miss an entire season of baseball and return to form quickly. Baseball is a skill game and the more one plays the better they become. Drills and side work can only take you so far before you have to jump into a game and kick it up to game speed.
But Tilson has one thing going for him; he is fresh. A full year of rest can do wonders for a body pulverized by the baseball grind. It would be wonderful to see Tilson bounce around the fields at Camelback Ranch in March with youthful verve.
