Tim Elko makes his major-league debut with the Chicago White Sox: ‘A lot of hard work came to fruition'
Tim Elko carpooled to Rate Field on Saturday with pitcher Jonathan Cannon.
'It's nice to have him and some of the other guys in here that I've already been around a lot,' Elko said.
The familiar faces helped Elko get accustomed to his new surroundings as the first baseman prepared for his major-league debut with the Chicago White Sox against the Miami Marlins.
'Walking in (the clubhouse) and seeing the layout and everything and just getting a feel for being here is a pretty cool feeling,' Elko said.
The Sox officially called up Elko on Saturday from Triple-A Charlotte, where he was on a tear at the plate. Reports first surfaced of the move on Friday. In Saturday's corresponding move, the Sox designated infielder Nick Maton for assignment.
Elko is slashing .348/.431/.670 with six doubles, 10 home runs, 23 RBIs and 20 runs in 31 games with the Knights. He leads all of minor-league baseball in OPS (1.101), is tied for the lead in home runs, ranks second in slugging percentage and third in total bases (75).
'Obviously excited about the potential offensively and defensively,' Sox manager Will Venable said. 'And he also makes a huge impact in the clubhouse.
'He just is always positive. And works extremely hard. So, absolutely a credit to him for continuing to put in the work and it has paid off.'
The Sox selected Elko in the 10th round of the 2022 draft out of Mississippi. He has a career .293/.348/.495 slash line with 58 doubles, 61 home runs, 218 RBIs and 179 runs in 325 games during four minor-league seasons (2022-25) in the Sox organization.
'The goal was always to become a professional baseball player and play in the MLB,' Elko said. 'It was always in the back of my head. But always just try to be where my feet are. I always enjoyed my time at Ole Miss and winning a national championship down there and now it's time to help the White Sox win some games here.'
Since 2023, Elko ranks first among minor-league leaders in hits (344) and games (301), is second in total bases (578), fourth in RBIs (202) and batting average (.297) and tied for eighth in home runs (56).
'He's a competitor, he's played well throughout the minor leagues,' Sox director of player development Paul Janish said during a videoconference call last week. 'We talked about earning promotions, and that's what he's done throughout the minor leagues.
'Just can't say enough about the kid, the makeup of the player. And the numbers on the field speak for themselves.'
Elko, 26, spread the credit around.
'Just a lot of help from people around me,' Elko said. 'Got (Charlotte hitting coach) Jim (Rickon) and (Knights bench coach Angel Rosario) and (Sox director of hitting Ryan) Fuller and so many people to thank that have helped me along this journey and this year and just kind of getting me locked in on pitch decisions and what sort of pitches to do damage to.'
Elko earned White Sox Minor League Player of the Month honors for March/April after slashing .367/.448/.711 with nine home runs, 20 RBIs and a 1.159 OPS in 25 games. He reached base safely in 23 of those contests, hitting safely in 21.
That success drummed up strong support online.
'I try to stay off social media as much as I can, but I saw some of the stuff on Twitter — it's pretty cool, to have support like that's a pretty cool feeling,' Elko said.
Elko received the news that he would be joining the Sox from Charlotte manager Sergio Santos before Friday's game.
'It's been pretty fun, just getting texts from friends and family,' Elko said. 'Sorry if I haven't responded to some people. But it's been awesome. Just thankful for everybody and great opportunity and ready to go.'
The Sox had Elko at first base and in the No. 8 slot of the lineup Saturday. He flied out to shallow center leading off the third inning in his first at-bat.
Andrew Vaughn was the designated hitter and hit a solo home run in the first inning, his second in as many games. Venable said the plan for the two will involve 'mixing and matching' between first base and DH.
'There (are also) going to be times where (Miguel) Vargas might be at first base,' Venable said. 'So, I think we are going to take this day by day. But you (can) expect to see both Tim and (Vaughn) at first base.'
Elko said part of Venable's message was 'keep doing what I'm doing and play hard.'
'I feel like a lot of hard work came to fruition,' Elko said of being called up. 'Just excited to get here and start my journey.'
Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. was not in Saturday's starting lineup as he dealt with 'some soreness in his right knee,' according to Venable.
'With all these guys, we have a couple of guys banged up,' Venable said. 'Kind of what you would expect being at the end of a stretch where it's been 26 (games) out of 27 (days). Really dense part of the schedule here where these nicks and bruises are part of it. It's more one of those than anything we are really concerned about.'
Venable said Robert's situation is a 'day-to-day thing. We expect him to be available though.'
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