By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

Catcher Miguel Olivo returned to California early with a case of viral pneumonia. (Linda Kaye/AP)

There is only a little over one month until the start of Spring Training and the opening of the 2004 campaign. But more importantly, the Caribbean World Series and postseason signify that it finally stopped raining in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

"You really couldn't do anything when it was raining," said White Sox center fielder Aaron Rowand, who played for Santurce in Puerto Rico, explaining what he did during the week's worth of rainouts. "I played Madden Football (video game). I was playing with the Chicago Bears dynasty. I played like 10 seasons while I was there."

While an early-arriving tropical storm led to numerous games being washed away, a number of White Sox players still had the chance to make an impact. Here's a look at some of the team's most interesting offseason performances.

Stock on the rise: Prior to this past season, Ross Gload basically was known as a talent-laden player offensively who had yet to find a permanent spot on a Major-League roster. But after short stints in Colorado and with the Cubs, not to mention an outstanding 2003 campaign at Triple-A Charlotte, Gload was added to the 40-man roster.

He more than built on that success with a near Triple Crown effort for Hermosillo in the Mexican League. Gload finished second in hitting with a .328 average, added 12 home runs and led the league with 51 RBI. He struck out a mere 28 times in 232 at-bats.

Gload firmly has placed himself in position to earn a reserve outfield spot or fill the back-up role at first base. Not a bad transition for a player without a team coming out of Spring Training.

Injury-shortened effort: Despite earning a spot on the All-Rookie team for 2003, catcher Miguel Olivo had plenty of work to do while playing for Aguilas in the Dominican League. Specifically, Olivo wanted to attack the curve ball offensively and cut down his strikeouts. But the rain and cold wore down Olivo, who left for home after 22 at-bats and two home runs, suffering from viral pneumonia.

Olivo continued his workouts in the warmth and comfort of home in California.

Getting in his work: There was a specific goal in mind for Rowand when he ventured to Puerto Rico for his third straight season of winter baseball. A dirt bike accident that almost cost Rowand his life during the 2003 offseason slowed down his progress during the regular season and ultimately limited his at-bats.

So, Rowand used the time with Santurce, playing for White Sox Double-A manager Wally Backman, to get his necessary cuts and get ready for his ascension to the starting job in center field. In the process, he honed a few troublesome areas of his individual offensive game.

"What I tried to work on was (discipline)," Rowand said. "But it can be tough because there are a lot of young, wild pitchers who are out of the zone. I tried to increase my walk total because that's been a knock against me."

Mission accomplished. Rowand struck out 18 times and drew 16 walks in 112 at-bats, hitting .250 with six home runs and 20 RBI, before coming home to Las Vegas in mid-December.

Stock on the rise, Part II: Felix Diaz might not quite be a household name. But the lanky and hard-throwing right-hander, who pitched at Triple-A Charlotte last season, made his case for the starting rotation with a strong effort for Licey in the Dominican League.

Adding a cut fastball to his repertoire, Diaz finished 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA during seven appearances, including four starts. He struck out 18 and allowed 33 baserunners in 31 innings. Look for Diaz as part of the mix to fill the fifth starter's void.

Remember these names: Enemencio Pacheco didn't do much during the winter season with Leones Del Escogido in the Dominican League, but the young hurler is coming off a phenomenal season at Double-A Birmingham and should compete for a roster spot in Tucson. Francisco Campos made a slightly more definitive statement for Mazatlan in the Mexican League.

Campos, picked up from Milwaukee in the minor-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft in New Orleans, posted a 10-2 record with a 2.19 ERA. He struck out 68 and allowed 79 hits in 90 1/3 innings, throwing him into the jumbled mix of competition for the fifth starter's spot with the likes of Diaz, Pacheco, Neal Cotts, Ryan Wing, Dan Wright and a healthy Josh Stewart.

Testing the waters: Despite struggling from the right side of the plate during the 2003 season, White Sox shortstop Jose Valentin held firm to the fact that he will remain a switch-hitter offensively. During his short stint with Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League, Valentin changed his tune slightly, hitting almost exclusively from the left side.

But the results weren't great, hitting .115 in 52 at-bats, probably leading him back to switch-hitting. Very few players in baseball are as dedicated to winter baseball as Valentin, and his enthusiasm for that part of the game showed.

Playing with his brother, Javier, Valentin looked ready for the season to begin, according to some who watched him in action. And that's really the point of the leagues in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela-getting players prepared for the upcoming Major League campaign.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.