With most of the eyes in White Sox camp focused on top prospects Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech, the first acquisition of the long-awaited rebuild can do his thing in relative peace.
That’s fine with Charlie Tilson, the center fielder from New Trier who received a humbling lesson in August when he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in his major-league debut in Detroit.
Nothing is promised in life, even if you think you’ve finally made it.
Tilson figured that out one day in the basement of his parent’s home in Wilmette, when asked to send a smartphone photo of his hamstring to Sox doctors before undergoing surgery.
"My mom comes down, and I said, ‘I’ve got to send some photos to the surgeon,’" Tilson recalled. "So I’m like dropping trou for my mom, leaning over this thing and thinking, ‘Yesterday I was in the big leagues, and now…"
Tilson chuckled at the strange photo-op with his mom.
"That was rock bottom for me," he said.
There’s only one way to go after you’ve hit rock bottom, and as Sox camp opens on Tuesday in Glendale, Tilson appears to be well on his way back to the majors. The hamstring is completely healed, and with a strong spring he has a good shot at becoming the regular center fielder in 2017.
"What an opportunity, to be out there wearing my hometown’s jersey," he said. "I was a huge Sox fan. It’s an opportunity I’ve been thinking about my whole life. It’s a dream come true."
The White Sox will be a team in transition as they open spring training at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday. Gone are two of their biggest names — Chris Sale and Adam Eaton — and arriving are a host of newcomers looking to make an impression on their new team.
Here are nine questions facing the changing Sox.
(Colleen Kane)
Tilson was a second-round pick of the Cardinals in the 2011 draft after hitting .406 during his senior season at New Trier and being named Illinois’ Gatorade Player of the Year. The Sox acquired him for Zach Duke at the trade deadline in July, well before general manager Rick Hahn announced the rebuild was underway.
But two days later, after being called up and singling in his first major-league at-bat, Tilson ruptured his left hamstring attempting a diving catch of a Miguel Cabrera fly in the fifth inning of his debut. He was done for the season.
Tilson joined Kevan Smith (back spasms), Jason Coats (collision, cut mouth) and Matt Davidson (broken right foot) among the victims of the so-called ‘Sox Rookie Curse.’ All went down on their first day in the Sox lineup, and Smith didn’t even make it into the game.
Tilson spent the next six weeks on crutches, lamenting the fact his storybook return to Chicago was already on hold after only two at-bats.
"It was tough," he said. "I had one day in a brand-new organization, and even though it’s my hometown I really hadn’t been acclimated to the people, and you feel a little bit isolated when you’re sitting on the couch watching the game.
"To get out to Arizona (to rehab) was awesome, kind of get out of the mud. Those first six weeks were tough, but I cherish that opportunity, and even thinking about that day, I think of it as a positive.
"You’ve just got to get back on your feet, I kept telling myself, even if you wake up and kind of look around and think, ‘I can’t believe that happened.’"
Tilson moved to the Ukrainian Village neighborhood shortly after being dealt to the Sox, and has enjoyed the offseason at home, sampling sushi bars and Mexican joints and venturing out to the California Clipper for some live music.
Rick Renteria on trade rumors at White Sox spring training
White Sox manager Rick Renteria on spring training trade rumors and his second year at camp. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria on spring training trade rumors and his second year at camp. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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Almost every kid growing up in the suburbs thinks about someday moving into Chicago. Tilson did just that, and said he has made the most of his brief time in the city.
"I can go around and be anonymous for the most part," he said. "Every once in a while I’ll catch someone (who knows me).
"It’s cool, especially when I got the crutches off. I biked on the lakefront and walked on the 606 (trail). It was cool to be able to explore the city like that. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it home for a while."
Aside from his debut, Tilson’s most memorable day may have been this winter at the United Center, when the Blackhawks asked him to take part in the "Shoot the Puck" competition between periods. Tilson asked a Hawks employee for strategy, and it paid off with a goal.
"He said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t come short of the net,’" Tilson said. "He’s like, ‘You’re supposed to be the athlete, so just go big with it.’ I went out there and my first one I really flung it in the air. I’m like, ‘I’ve got to tone it down a little.’ My heart was beating. It was luck for sure."
Now the comeback is about to get underway at Camelback Ranch, and Tilson is ready. He’s motivated to win the starting job and become a vital cog in the rebuild, but whether he makes it into the opening-day lineup or not, Tilson feels Sox fans are going to be happy with the new direction of the team.
"Obviously there’s not a wealth of experience among those young guys, but the talent is there and (Hahn has) made some exciting moves," he said. "I’d be excited if I was a Sox fan. I know the guys on the North Side had a big season last year, but I think we can do some special things.
"I’m just happy to be a part of it and I just want to go out there and make an impact."
psullivan@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @PWSullivan
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