Chicago White Sox Continue to Inject Youth into the AL Central Race

The Chicago White Sox are going through a youth movement right before our eyes. After rallying to take the first game of a weekend set with the New York Yankees, the White Sox showed that they could get it done with big contributions from the kids.

Chicago catapulted into the lead in the ninth with Dayan Viciedo's three-run homer, winning the opener in New York, 4-3. Rookie skipper Robin Ventura used three rookie pitchers to accomplish the feat.

Dylan Axelrod, starting just his third major league game, allowed just two runs in seven innings to keep Chicago close all evening. Addison Reed earned his 11th save of the season. In between, rookie Hector Santiago gave up a Mark Teixeira home run but picked up the win.

The White Sox have been getting it done with a mix of young and veteran talent.

Players like Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Dunn are sharing a dugout with newcomers like Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza and a host of young pitchers.

De Aza got Chicago on the board in the top of the fifth with a homer to right field. Eduardo Escobar came in to run for Pierzynski in the eighth, with Tyler Flowers taking over behind the plate.

The White Sox youth was on full display Thursday night. Cost-cutting and injuries to the rotation have necessitated the call to less experienced players. However, Chicago is also choosing to go with younger bodies.

As evidenced by designating veterans Kosuke Fukudome and Will Ohman for assignment in recent weeks, the White Sox are going to use the best available player regardless of age and experience. That means that Jordan Danks is now the fourth outfielder despite making his debut with the club earlier this month.

The bullpen will also get a little younger Friday night.

That's when 26-year-old Leyson Septimo joins the staff, giving Ventura six rookie arms. The left-handed Septimo was 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA in Triple-A Charlotte this season, having struck out 39 batters in 30.1 innings.

If Septimo can contribute in a similar fashion to Chicago's other young players, the White Sox could continue to pace the AL Central heading into the All-Star break.