White Sox prospect Adam Engel had life-changing event after he was sent down

Share

MINNEAPOLIS — He only was gone for 11 days, but in between Adam Engel became a father for the first time.

The No. 17 prospect in the system returned to the White Sox on Tuesday after the club placed Leury Garcia on the 10-day disabled list. Engel returned to the club a little surer about what’s expected of him in the big leagues and proud about his family. His wife gave birth to the couple’s first child, daughter Clarke Isabella, on June 12.

“You just try to figure out how to prepare and make sure I know what I’m up against so I can come up with my best plan,” Engel said. “I’m learning more and more what that means and what that looks like from watching other guys and picking their brains and stuff like that. I’ve definitely started that path.

“It has definitely been a lot of moving parts, but that’s kind of what we signed up for.”

Engel was with the White Sox from May 27 through June 9. He accompanied the team to Cleveland and was sent down after the White Sox claimed Alen Hanson off waivers.

Before he headed to Triple-A Charlotte, Engel headed to Cincinnati to be with his wife, Jaime. He rejoined the Knights on June 15 and got the call after Sunday’s game to rejoin the White Sox.

[Vivid Seats: Buy your White Sox tickets here]

Engel batted .300/.364/.300 with four stolen bases in 22 plate appearances and appeared in eight games with the White Sox before he was sent down.

“He had a nice little stay with us,” manager Rick Renteria said. “Stole some bases, had some really good at-bats. He’s in there today, we’ll see how he starts off the game, how he handles this stint being with us. We still have Alen also playing some center field. We have to figure out how we balance it out and use them all and try to help Alen improve on his center field play and be comfortable out there. He continues to work on all the infield positions. And then we’ll see as Leury continues to heal with his hand.”

Garcia’s sprained finger on his left hand has shown improvement. But the White Sox couldn’t continue to play short-handed and made the move for Engel. Engel plans to take advantage of the opportunity to get more repetitions and experience. He also hopes to see his family again this weekend when the White Sox return home.

“Kind of take it and go for it,” Engel said. “It’s probably been harder on my family than it is me. I’ve been doing this for four or five years now. I’m used to it and my wife and little girl are the ones taking the hit. Little bit tougher than them on me but hopefully I get to see them in Chicago.”

Contact Us