Late Monday morning, as White Sox players took live batting practice at Camelback Ranch, Giovanni Soto took the mound for his turn.
Settling in behind the plate to catch him was none other than Geovany Soto.
If you think that’s confusing, imagine what it’s like for the pitcher and catcher who are both trying to earn a roster spot with the Sox this spring.
“It’s kind of weird, especially in the clubhouse and on the field because when someone says Gio, we turn around to see if it’s for him or for me,” Giovanni said through a team interpreter. “It’s weird, but it’s funny too.”
To make matters more befuddling, Giovanni said that some people also call new Sox prospect Lucas Giolito by the nickname “Gio.”
Since Geovany is a veteran of 12 major-league seasons, Giovanni offered to let the Sox call him by his middle name, Luis, or his number, 50. But they’re going to stick with calling him Gio for now.
Geovany imagines that might cause some problems when it comes to receiving mail and taking physicals and drug tests this year.
“Hopefully I can get a big check in his name and cash it,” Geovany said.
The Sotos first met in 2015, when Geovany caught his only season with the Sox and Giovanni received his only call to the big leagues, for six appearances with the Indians. They have since become friends and even spent time in their native Puerto Rico together.
The Sox signed Geovany, 34, to a minor-league deal in January, and as the only catcher with significant major-league experience, he’s likely to make to the squad if he remains healthy.
Geovany and Giovanni Soto on sharing the same name: ‘It’s kind of weird’
White Sox catcher Geovany Soto and pitcher Giovanni Soto discuss sharing the same name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catcher Geovany Soto and pitcher Giovanni Soto discuss sharing the same name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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“It’s a big plus because everybody that I’ve spoken to that has had contact with him from the past is very happy with him,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “We’re very glad he’s here. He’s a very vocal person in terms of communicating with the other young catchers and sharing his experiences. Obviously, his ability to communicate with the pitchers and his time (in the majors) certainly bodes well for us.”
Geovany, who started his career with the Cubs, spent the 2015 season with the Sox alongside Tyler Flowers.
“It feels like I never left, oddly enough,” he said. “A lot of familiar faces.”
The Sox picked up Giovanni, 25, off waivers from the Athletics in November, and he is among a group of lefties vying for a bullpen spot behind left-hander Dan Jennings. In his only stint in the majors with the Indians, he gave up three hits with no walks, strikeouts or runs in 3 1/3 innings.
“There is a big opportunity for me here,” Giovanni said. “It’s just a matter of me doing my job, working hard every day. I’m trying to fix the problems in my mechanics and trying to throw more strikes. Those are things that in the past have been a factor in my performance.”
Caption Rick Renteria on competition between White Sox’s catchers
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Rick Renteria on competition between White Sox’s catchers
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Rick Renteria discusses the competition between the team’s catchers during spring training on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Geovany and Giovanni Soto on sharing the same name: ‘It’s kind of weird’
White Sox catcher Geovany Soto and pitcher Giovanni Soto discuss sharing the same name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catcher Geovany Soto and pitcher Giovanni Soto discuss sharing the same name on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Charlie Tilson, Rick Renteria on Tilson’s stress reaction in right foot
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Charlie Tilson and manager Rick Renteria react to Tilson’s diagnosis of a stress reaction in his right foot on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Peter Bourjos on his decision to sign with the White Sox
Peter Bourjos discusses his decision to sign a minor-league deal with the White Sox on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Peter Bourjos discusses his decision to sign a minor-league deal with the White Sox on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Jose Abreu on White Sox’s first two days of spring training
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu reacts after the first two days of spring training on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu reacts after the first two days of spring training on Feb. 19, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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