TUCSON, Ariz. -- Two Cactus League games played in Tucson certainly does not make a professional baseball career. In fact, it barely puts a dent in the White Sox 39-game ledger in Arizona and Las Vegas.

But this brief road trip certainly should put a smile on the faces of the White Sox faithful, especially those just as worried about future success as present glory. The White Sox, it appears, have put together their best nucleus of young talent in quite some time.

"We were talking about that yesterday," said first baseman Paul Konerko, who represented the old guard with three hits and one of four White Sox home runs during a 10-1 victory Friday over Arizona.

"Over the last few years, and this is no knock on anybody, but some of the guys drafted and signings made, it seems like this is the most young talent we've had in the last four or five years -- especially in the middle infield," Konerko said. "Guys are good, not just talented but good players."

A free-agent signing such as Alexei Ramirez would be part of this young crew, but his skills were not on display during either game in Tucson. Dayan Viciedo, Ramirez's Cuban countryman, started both, picking up his first professional hit on Thursday against the Rockies and launching his first home run Friday at Tucson Electric Park.

The 19-year-old Viciedo crushed a 2-1 cutter from Jon Garland into the right-center-field stands to lead off the second, adding a combination bat flip and hand movement made popular by Juan Uribe to signify the certainty of connection. Viciedo also looked smoother in the field at third base than Thursday, handling four chances flawlessly, including starting a double play on Tony Clark's grounder to finish the second.

"It's funny, because we know he can hit. He has a lot of confidence hitting," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of Viciedo. "You are going to see a lot of good things on offense from him and defense, he has to be better, but we are going to make him better."

"You look at his arm, his hands, his bat speed -- it's going to be tough for that guy not to be a good player," Konerko said. "You can tell he's good. Has the same mannerisms like Alexei, but is more of a power hitter, a power guy body. With him, it's just polishing up and getting ready to go, get used to playing over here."

Aaron Poreda, the team's top pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, pitched back in Glendale Friday in a "B" Game against the Dodgers and gave up Rafael Furcal's leadoff home run over two innings. He struck out two, retired the final six hitters he faced and threw first-pitch strikes to seven of eight batters.

After working in a side session this week with pitching coach Don Cooper, Poreda moved over about six inches from the first-base side of the rubber so he could stay more even and moved from front to back so he could stay on line and throw more strikes. Poreda also said he has been working on his changeup.

This hard-throwing southpaw is in play for a bullpen spot, giving Poreda the chance to contribute in 2009. Even those who are not truly in the mix, players such as Brandon Allen, Jhonny Nunez, Javier Castillo and even 28-year-old hurler John Van Benschoten, give the White Sox support through depth in the system.

Then, there's Gordon Beckham, the eighth pick overall in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He doubled home a run on Friday and threw out Conor Jackson to end the sixth on a play deep in the hole at shortstop usually reserved for seasoned veterans.

Yes, it is extremely early in Spring Training, but it doesn't mean the White Sox shouldn't be pleased by what they see from their prospects.