Chicago White Sox outfielder Dan Palka made almost eight times as many at bats in Minor League Baseball as he did as plate appearances in Major League Baseball, so he has to appreciate every moment with the Sox.
Palka, 26, was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2013 draft. He made his MLB debut in April after the White Sox called him up from their AAA Charlotte affiliate. By the time he took his first swing in a White Sox uniform, Palka had played in 555 games with 2,134 at bats in the minor leagues.
Palka was claimed off of waivers from the Minnesota Twins by the Sox. Palka, who bats and throws left-handed, was originally drafted the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010, but did not sign.
Palka, who will be 27 years old October 28 and is 6-2 and 220 pounds, was a career .270 hitter in the minor leagues. Palka, through Sunday, had only a .239 batting average. It has been his hitting for power that has raised a few eyebrows.
With Sox first baseman and best hitter, Jose Abreu, injured, Palka was the designated hitter Sunday rather than in the outfield in the Sox’ 7-2 victory over host Detroit. Palka’s two-run home run in the third inning was the key to victory.
Thanks in part to Palka’s blast, heralded Sox rookie hard-throwing pitcher Michael Kopech picked up his first Major League Baseball victory with effective pitching in his second MLB game.
Nothing in Palka’s past hinted at the power he has shown this season. Yet, through Sunday, Palka had hit 19 home runs to go with 53 runs batted in, results better than expected by the Sox.
Palka’s hitting has helped make the Sox look like a different team since July’s all-star break. Monday’s victory over the host New York Yankees, 6-2, boosted the Sox record to 19-17 since the all-star game through Monday. The Sox were 7-3 in 10 games through Monday. The Sox, 52-79, pulled to within one game of third place Detroit and 12 games ahead of last place Kansas City.