3 takeaways from Chicago White Sox camp, including Kendall Graveman’s emotional reaction to Team USA selection

Yasmani Grandal caught a bullpen session and then took some swings at a practice field and in the batting cages Friday afternoon.

The catcher was the first person manager Pedro Grifol mentioned while meeting with reporters at Camelback Ranch.

“He’s healthy,” Grifol said. “He looked really good, really impressive.”

As workouts continue for pitchers and catchers, here are three takeaways from Sox camp.

1. Kendall Graveman is ‘humbled’ by Team USA opportunity.

Graveman never imagined he would have an opportunity like the one awaiting him next month with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

“It’s an honor,” the reliever said Thursday morning. “I’m humbled honestly by the thought they would mention me in the same category with some of those guys. It’s emotional to me to represent this country and put on that jersey.

“It’s going to be fun. I’m going to compete alongside some of those guys I’ve competed against.”

Graveman is one of three Sox players on Team USA along with starter Lance Lynn and shortstop Tim Anderson.

“I told (manager Mark) DeRosa (Wednesday) night, ‘However you see me fitting in, let me know (and) I’ll be ready,’” Graveman said.

Graveman became emotional Thursday while discussing what the chance to play for Team USA meant to him.

“I’ve never had the opportunity — a lot of guys in the locker room, across the league maybe in high school or college maybe played and represented their country,” he said. “You got fans not only rooting for you, not only White Sox fans but the whole country is rooting for one team. It’s hard for me to put into words and I didn’t think I’d ever get the shot.

“I got this one, so I’m thankful.”

Graveman received a call in November and was asked if he would be willing to play.

“I cleared it with (general manager) Rick Hahn and (pitching coach Ethan) Katz to make sure they were OK with it because that’s my priority, the White Sox, that they were OK with my playing and once they said yes I called them back and said I’d be willing to play,” Graveman said. “A couple of months later they called and said they would enjoy me being on the team.”

Pool C games begin March 11 in Phoenix.

2. Reliever Joe Kelly is pumped for a healthy start to spring.

Kelly described being healthy at the start of camp as “game-changing.”

“I haven’t been healthy for three seasons starting the year,” Kelly said Thursday. “For me, to have the normal offseason so far, I feel more thrilled than anything because I’ve been throwing pens and the numbers I’m putting up in my pens from all the analytics stuff are kind of the same things I’d get at the beginning of a season.”

Grifol noted that Kelly “filled the strike zone with all his pitches” during a bullpen session Friday.

Kelly enters his second season with the Sox. He began 2022 on the injured list recovering from a right biceps nerve injury suffered the previous season and went 1-3 with a 6.08 ERA in 43 appearances (one as an opener).

“I’ve really worked pretty hard this offseason,” he said. “I came here 4-5 days a week the whole offseason, throwing bullpens in the lab. Just trying to create from here on out game like scenarios for myself.

“It’s been a while since I’ve pitched in a real spring training game, so it’s going to be fun. It’s definitely something I’m excited for. I’m definitely pumped.”

3. Command is the focal point in early bullpen sessions.

Lynn, Davis Martin and reliever Reynaldo López were among the pitchers with bullpen sessions Friday. Thursday’s list included starters Dylan Cease and Lucas Giolito.

Grifol said during this portion of camp, he’s looking for command.

“It’s too early for these guys to be ramped up,” Grifol said Thursday. “We’re just looking for guys to stay under control, command the baseball and do what they’re capable of doing. We don’t want to see too much right now, it’s so early.

“We’ve got time. We’re preparing for 162 (games) and beyond. Right now just work on the fundamentals and the fundamentals of those bullpens is commanding the strike zone and doing some other little things that they’re working on.”