White Sox taking a look at Viciedo in right field

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dayan Viciedo showed the White Sox what he can do last season, hitting 5 homers and driving in 13 runs in 104 at-bats.

Compact at 5-feet-11 and 230 pounds, Viciedo displayed tremendous power while posting an impressive .519 slugging percentage.

“This kid, he’s going to hit in the big leagues,” Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He can play at this level. He showed last year he can.”

On the flip side, Viciedo showed what he can’t do.

The former Cuban National team phenom was constantly exploited by pitches up and out of the strike zone. That’s the main reason Viciedo walked just two times while striking out 25.

He also was a disaster at third base, making 4 errors in 39 total chances.

But all in all, the White Sox think they have a raw gem in Viciedo, who turns 22 on March 10.

And in an attempt to keep his potent bat on the 25-man roster, Viciedo is going to be playing right field, and possibly left, when Cactus League play begins Feb. 28 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I’m going to keep practicing and wherever they put me, that’s where I’ll play,” Viciedo said through a translator after reporting to camp Sunday.

Viciedo played some right field in Cuba, so he doesn’t think the transition is going to be too difficult.

“That’s natural for me,” Viciedo said. “I trained in that position for a long time when I was there. It’s pretty much coming back to me, just practicing and getting into rhythm.”

Guillen was impressed by Viciedo’s off-season commitment to getting in better condition. When Guillen first saw him Sunday morning, he joked that Viciedo looked like rail-thin shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

“I’m very happy for him because he showed up in great shape,” Guillen said. “I’m surprised. There’s one thing about it, he has to learn. The last couple of years he was overdoing stuff because of his weight. It’s not easy to try to lose weight plus go through the spring-training routine.

“He showed up in great shape and we’re going to see where he’s going to be the best fit for the ballclub in the future.”

Viciedo always considered himself a third baseman, but Brent Morel, Omar Vizquel and possibly Mark Teahen are better options. He also can play first base, but Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn have that position covered.

Given the situation, it comes as no surprise that Viciedo is headed to the outfield. And with a strong throwing arm, he appears to be better suited in right field.

Harold Baines and minor-league outfield instructor Daryl Boston are going to work with Viciedo all spring.

“I feel good,” Viciedo said. “Wherever they put me, outfield, third base, I’m practicing and training and getting ready. I’m out here to do my job.”

After the White Sox go through their first full-squad workout Tuesday, Guillen plans to sit down with Viciedo and map out his future.

“I don’t want him moving all over the place because it’s not easy,” Guillen said. “When we have the first meeting, I’ll have better information. After we’re done with the meeting, I need to talk to him face to face and tell him exactly what we think. I know this kid has a thousand things on his mind about what we’re going to do.”