Saturday, March 29

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Phil Nevin wanted to be the next White Sox manager.

But even with that offseason pursuit falling short and Will Venable getting hired, Nevin is glad to be part of the White Sox organization as a special assistant to player development.

“I want to work. I want to be around the players. I want to be around the game. It’s one thing I missed last year,” Nevin told MLB.com during a recent interview in the White Sox Minor League facilities at Camelback Ranch. “It was nice to see my kids play, but I’m still young enough to want to do a lot of things in this game.

“Once you choose a manager, there are things that have to take place over the next couple of weeks. When the dust settled, we continued the dialogue and came up with something creative that hopefully benefits both sides … This is something I found this past month being here, it’s one of my favorite Spring Trainings I’ve ever had.”

Nevin, who managed the Angels during the 2022-23 seasons, was a strong candidate for the White Sox vacancy, although the team never really listed managerial finalists. So, what are the exact details of this new position arrived upon following talks with general manager Chris Getz and assistant general manager Josh Barfield?

They evolve between working on the Minor League side and amateur scouting players who fit in the higher rounds of the 2025 Draft for the White Sox.

“Going out and seeing players, some targets for basically our first two, three picks, wasn’t sure what I was looking at, at first. I haven’t seen a high school game in a long time,” said a smiling Nevin. “So, it was hard to compare things but being around [director of amateur scouting] Mike Shirley, and the job he does and the people that he has with him, that’s been awesome.

“I’m really looking forward to the way that plays out for the next few months and being a part of that draft room, when these players are picked. One thing that I’ve said to a lot of people: I’m in a position not a lot of guys get to do. I get to go scout those guys and be a part of that process a little bit. I’m not the decision-maker, obviously, but when people ask my opinion on things, it makes you feel important.

“After these kids are picked, I also get to come and be in uniform with them,” Nevin added. “Not many guys get to do that. I’m really looking forward to that point, too.”

Draft room inner workings always interested Nevin as part of the Angels, so the scouting work is a natural fit. Nevin appreciated the front office’s attention to detail during the interview process and how much they care about this organization’s state and direction going forward, feeling he could make an impact to the developing but focused process.

“I’ll be honest, you come from another organization, and you hear the noise of other places, and I don’t think the reputation was really good [with the White Sox],” Nevin said. “But coming here and seeing it, and the new people they have put in place, no knock on the people of the past, it’s a well-run place and you can see the way the kids are responding to this. You see the way they respond to the coaches, the meetings in the morning, the interaction with everybody, that has impressed me quite a bit.

“When you don’t have success at the top, people try to nitpick and pick apart things. I wasn’t a part of the years past, but getting here and seeing the people involved, it’s part of a process. We all know that. You are seeing results with the younger players at the lower levels. We won at two different levels last year, and it's about playing winning baseball. The more we can get the players on board with that, the better off the entire organization is going to be.”

There was disappointment in being passed over as manager, but that decision still brought Nevin to a good place.

“My interaction when around the young players, it’s been a real eye opener for me. I’m learning a lot from them. I hope they are learning what they can from me,” Nevin said. “I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know everything.

“It’s a learning process for us. Whatever knowledge I can give to any of the coaches, managers, players, I’m hoping I can have an impact or a little bit of a help moving forward with the organization.”

Derrick Rose, whose No. 1 Chicago Bulls jersey will be retired by the organization next season, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch before Thursday’s season opener against the Angels at 3:05 p.m. CT at Rate Field. The early forecast shows 48 degrees and partly cloudy.

“Everybody will be a little cold so I think the adrenaline will take over,” left fielder Andrew Benintendi said. “I don’t think anybody will be feeling much.”

“A baller right there,” said Venable of Rose. “Seems awesome for sure.”

• I heard great things about the new food items at the Rate. I’m the pickiest eater in the world, so I’m the wrong person to judge.

• Speaking of dining, here are my running tabulations in Arizona: 10 plates of scrambled eggs and one day with mini-cheese omelets, courtesy of the free hotel breakfast, and six slices of cheese pizza at Camelback Ranch. The ballpark is beautiful in Glendale, but the food options could be a little more varied/healthy. Then again, remember I’m picky.

• While cleaning out old files from my recorder, I found an interview with veteran reliever Bryan Shaw from when he first joined the White Sox.

I’ve always appreciated his answer when asked what was the fit with the White Sox: “They called and gave me a job.” Maybe I should make Files from my Recorder a regular Newsletter feature.

“Not a ton. This will be my first time visiting the city, but I’m looking to embrace every facet.” -- Right-hander Shane Smith, on getting to Chicago, as the top pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft made the Opening Day roster.

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