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Impressive Courtney Hawkins reassigned to minors camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago White Sox made three more roster moves Wednesday, among them the reassignment of Courtney Hawkins to minor league camp.

The White Sox also optioned catcher Rob Brantly to Triple-A Charlotte and reassigned infielder Juan Diaz to minor league camp.

Hawkins opened some eyes in his first big league camp, hitting four home runs, including two on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. The second of his two homers ended the game in walk-off fashion.

The 21-year old Hawkins is expected to open the season at Double-A Birmingham.

"Courtney's probably made the biggest strides of anybody we've seen in the last couple of years as far as coming over here and just listening, paying attention, getting an opportunity and doing something with that opportunity," manager Robin Ventura said. "As far as going into this season this is a big jump for him as far as confidence."

The first-round selection in the 2012 draft (13th overall pick) has been considered one of the system's top prospects, but has struggled with high strikeout totals.

"Even in our games, the big thing was his strikeouts over the last couple of years and he looked good for us," Ventura said. "He just has to keep that going."