CHICAGO -- A year ago at SoxFest, Jose Abreu was an unknown commodity. How quickly things can change.
The reigning rookie of the year received the most cheers of any player during SoxFest introductions, and his reception was on par with that of Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn.
Using slightly more English than he did a year ago, although still not comfortable conducting interviews in something other than Spanish, Abreu was more than able to express the confidence he has for the 2015 club.
"Everything they did with the acquisitions in the offseason, wow it's very exciting to see how the offseason worked out for the team," Abreu said through an interpreter.
And after being around members of the 2005 World Series championship team, Abreu sounded inspired.
"My respect for all of them," Abreu said. "Just a few minutes ago I was talking to Jose Contreras. Man, I feel very humbled to be with him. Nobody knows what can happen this season. Maybe it's our turn to be there."
By there, of course, Abreu is talking about the World Series. It seems like a pretty lofty goal since he hadn't even swung at a major league pitch 11 months ago, but his debut season, combined with the roster additions, has the team thinking big.
In anybody is feeling the pressure to win after players such as Jeff Samardzija, Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and David Robertson were added, Abreu isn't one of them.
"No, we don't feel pressure after the acquisitions," he said. "We feel excited and comfortable. I'm more excited about what we can do during the season and maybe it's our turn to be on the big stage."
Abreu didn't just learn last season that he can have success in the major leagues, he also got a major lesson on what it takes to get through the grind of a 162-game season. He looked significantly worn down over the final two months and still managed to bat .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBIs, with a .584 slugging percentage.
When speaking to fans Friday night, Hahn referenced foot issues that Abreu experienced. It seemed to be a reference to Abreu's ankle issue that cropped up in May and affected him the rest of the season.
The presence of LaRoche, who could play first base a couple of times a week, has the potential to keep Abreu strong all season. But Abreu still will prepare himself as if he will be required to take the field the entire 162-game schedule.
"I'm excited about the depth we have right now," he said. "That is something good and will put us in the position to compete and I'm very excited about that.
"I've been working the same way on my defense. It doesn't matter if I'm playing more or less games because that is part of my game. I have to be a complete player and I can't work less and still be that. I have the same mentality, it doesn't matter who will be on the team. I just prepare myself to be successful and 100 percent on the field."