GLENDALE, Ariz. — On Dayan Viciedo's first full workout day with the Chicago White Sox, the 19-year-old from Cuba wanted to calm his nerves and just fit in.

Looking around on a sunny Thursday at the team's new complex, Viciedo noticed that most of his new teammates were relaxed and having a good time.

"There is a little bit of pressure at the beginning. Then I saw everybody, how loose they are here ... and I adjusted," Viciedo said through a translator.

"On the first day I accomplished my dream of being on a big league field and a big league team."

The White Sox are hoping Viciedo can be the latest addition to their very successful Cuban connection. Alexei Ramirez, who batted in the same group with Viciedo on Thursday, was a quick success as a rookie last season. After taking over the starting job at second base, he batted .290 in 136 games with 21 homers and 77 RBIs. Now he'll be the White Sox's shortstop.

Then there's Jose Contreras, who was the White Sox's second-half ace in 2005 when they won the World Series. He is currently coming back from an Achilles' rupture. The championship team four years ago also included Orlando Hernandez.

Viciedo played three seasons with Villa Clara in the Cuban League, batting .296 with 32 home runs and 123 RBI in 233 games. The White Sox signed him to a four-year, $10 million contract, and his goal is to win a spot on the major league team.

His competition at third base is Josh Fields, who is coming off a disappointing season at Triple-A when he had some injury problems. Fields, who had 23 homers in 100 games in 2007, is now the favorite to replace Joe Crede.

But Viciedo wants to show the White Sox he can make it in the big leagues immediately. He'll have to convince manager Ozzie Guillen, who playfully chided reporters for having a news conference with a player he said could end up in rookie ball.

But Viciedo said Guillen told him he would be in the mix.

"I'm going to go out there and play and leave it up to the coaches and the managers to make the decision who is going to win the spot," Viciedo said"

"I came here to play."

Viciedo took "live" batting practice against non-roster pitcher Brad Salmon and effortlessly drove four balls into the outfield, mostly to center and right.

"At the beginning I was a little scared I was going to get hit by a pitch. I hadn't faced live pitching in a while," Viciedo said. "But when I started using my hands and thinking I was in a game situation and that's when I was hitting the ball well."

He know he's fortunate to have countrymen like Ramirez and Contreras to help him navigate his new culture and surroundings.

"Anybody who comes from another country would like to have somebody from that country and I have two," he said.

"I think it will be easier for him. Alexei and Jose are really comfortable where they are," Guillen said.

"When you come in camp, especially him or anybody who comes from Cuba, all of a sudden you don't have anyone next to you and you feel kind of lost. This kid is going to have an advantage to have a couple of his countrymen with him. It will make it easier."

Guillen had expressed some concern about the 5-foot-11, 240-pound Viciedo's weight, telling him in the weeks before camp he needed to slim down.

"I dropped some weight and it's not a big concern," Viciedo said. "I just want to play."

Notes: Guillen addressed the team in his typical forthright manner Thursday, admitting that some of the newer players may have been taken aback by his the way he talks, usually with a slew of profanities. Once the practice was over, he met in his office with veterans A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye. General manager Ken Williams also attended. "I just asked them if there was anything I needed to change to make the ballclub better, my expectation for them with the ballclub, different ideas," Guillen said. "I want them to take charge with the ballclub. ... Before spring training starts, I always talk to the players about what I have to do to get better, what I have to do to make sure the team is better."