Categories Sports

Josh Barfield brings experience from the field and front office to his role as Chicago White Sox assistant GM

Josh Barfield had a call to make.

He might stay with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a workforce he helped construct right into a playoff contender. Or he might settle for a brand new problem with the Chicago White Sox.

An indication got here within the type of the automotive in entrance of him whereas sitting at a light-weight along with his spouse and daughter. They noticed a license plate with “SOX 29.” Barfield and his father, Jesse, wore No. 29 within the majors.

“We were like, ‘This was meant to be,’ ” Barfield stated.

The Sox on Friday introduced Barfield’s addition as assistant normal supervisor.

“It came out of nowhere,” Barfield stated earlier than Wednesday’s recreation towards the Diamondbacks at Guaranteed Rate Field. “I’ve been in Arizona for the final 9 years. I used to be actually pleased there. We have been doing a variety of good issues. We have been so engulfed in making an attempt to make the playoffs that after I acquired the telephone name the White Sox requested for permission, I don’t suppose it was one thing on the forefront of my thoughts.

“But the more I got to know the people here, got to know (general manager) Chris (Getz) — (I) played against him but didn’t really know him well — getting to spend time with him and hearing his vision. Seeing all the pieces that were here, seeing the division that we are in and the opportunity, it was too good to pass up.”

Barfield, 40, joined the Sox after spending the final 4 seasons as director of participant improvement with the Diamondbacks. He additionally was the group’s assistant director of participant improvement from 2018-19 and labored in scouting from 2015-17.

“Josh is a very talented, hardworking, respected person in our game,” Getz stated. “He’s accomplished so much with the D-Backs. You have a look at their roster, they’ve bought a variety of younger gamers who’ve come via their system. Having discussions with him about what they’ve accomplished as a company the final couple years, from some struggles to getting a style of success in a playoff hunt right here, there’s been a variety of deep takeaways that I feel can apply to our scenario.

“Josh has a bright future. He’s a connector of people. He’s going to energize our group, he already has. I feel fortunate for him to come aboard.”

The Sox bought an in depth have a look at among the proficient gamers who navigated via that system Tuesday within the opener of the three-game sequence.

“It was a weird feeling (Tuesday) watching that game,” Barfield stated. “I’m on this side and obviously really excited about what we are doing here, but to see finished products on the field from guys I had when they 16, 17 years old and seeing where they were then to where they are now and where the organization kind of was a few years ago to where they are now, it’s exciting and gives a lot of hope and optimism here.”

Barfield anticipates being concerned “in a lot of different areas.”

“Especially early on on the player development side,” he stated. “That’s the place I’ve essentially the most expertise and convey a unique perspective. Chris has accomplished an incredible job on the PD aspect right here. I discovered a bit bit completely different perspective.

“We’ll still hire a farm director, but I’ll still be heavily involved, especially early on, in that side. As we get into the offseason with roster construction and player acquisition, I’ll be involved in that as well.”

Barfield appeared in 309 video games over 4 major-league seasons with San Diego (2006) and Cleveland (2007-09) after being chosen by the Padres within the fourth spherical of the 2001 draft.

“We are all a byproduct of our experience,” he stated. “I can relate to a variety of issues these guys have gone via. I’ve been a prospect arising, I’ve been within the massive leagues, I’ve been the man who’s grinding within the minor leagues on the best way down too. I skilled a variety of completely different facets of it. So you retain that.

“At the same time … you understand how it works on this side. I think it helps. There is a human element, too, as much as there is and we believe in the data and the analytics. But I also think of the human element when you are making decisions is important.”

Barfield’s father performed 12 seasons within the majors and is from Joliet.

“He was so excited,” Josh stated of Jesse. “This is residence. He moved away when he was 17 after he bought drafted. His complete household moved to Houston, and that’s the place I grew up. This is his favourite workforce rising up. Across the road (at Comiskey Park) was the place he watched a variety of video games as a child and likewise performed his first recreation within the massive leagues.

“This place means a lot to him and our family.”

()

About The Author

More From Author