South Side Sox, a Chicago White Sox community

In which our hero, James Gordon Beckham, visits AAA... [edited with a news link, soxtalk apparently had it first]

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with 13 players and will invite them to their spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz. Also receiving invitations are five players from the White Sox minor league system, including their last two first-round draft picks, left-handed pitcher Aaron Poreda (2007) and infielder Gordon Beckham (2008). Thirteen of the 18 spring training invitees have major-league experience. The players receiving non-roster invites are infielders Javier Castillo, Bryan Myrow, Sergio Santos and Eider Torres, catchers Corky Miller and Chris Stewart, outfielders Josh Kroeger and Michael Restovich, right-handed pitchers Ryan Braun, Franklyn German, Brad Salmon and Jon Van Benschoten and left-handed pitcher Randy Williams. Catchers Tyler Flowers and Donny Lucy and right-handed pitcher Mike MacDougal will also be invited to spring training from the White Sox minor league system.

Gordon Beckham's not getting much playing time in the AFL, but he's making the most of his time spent in the desert, honing his comedic timing and learning to dress like a big leaguer.

The White Sox will be sending their top picks from the last two drafts in SS Gordon Beckham, one of two 2008 first-rounders heading to Arizona, and LHP Aaron Poreda, their 2007 first-round selection. Beckham was hitting .306 in nine games at Class A Kannapolis since making his pro debut. Poreda was 7-9 with a 3.19 ERA in 26 games between Class A Advanced Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham, but his 155 innings pitched so far indicate that he will be used sparingly with the Sags.