PHOENIX -- It's not certain if general manager Ken Williams had Dewayne Wise in mind back at SoxFest when talking about the White Sox going with an atypical leadoff man for the 2009 campaign.

Now that Wise has been anointed as the South Siders' No. 1 hitter, though, the veteran outfielder certainly would fit that particular description.

Take a look at Wise's current Cactus League performance, as an example. Through 17 games played and 57 at-bats, Wise was hitting a solid .316. But his on-base percentage checked in at .322, since he had not drawn a single walk in 59 plate appearances.

Spring Training statistics don't exactly serve as an 100 percent accurate sign of things to come. This instance might be the exception to the rule, as Wise probably won't be taking five or six pitches with each trip to the plate. It just doesn't fit into the style that has made Wise successful over the past year with the White Sox.

"That's when I get in trouble, when I have to take a lot of pitches," Wise said. "Early in spring, when Ozzie was trying me at the leadoff spot, I was struggling a little bit because I was going up there taking pitches and falling behind in the count. Then, I was swinging at bad pitches and getting myself out.

"Then, Ozzie came to me and said, 'Look, just because I have you there in the leadoff spot, don't feel like you have to go up there and take five pitches every at-bat.' Don't get me wrong. I'm not going up there to swing at everything. But [Guillen] wants me to keep my aggressiveness."

More than a few benefits can be derived from Wise's specific leadoff style. He has plenty of speed, but also has more extra-base power than most first hitters. Wise produced a .596 slugging percentage this spring, with four doubles, three triples and two home runs.

Wise, 31, understands plenty of chances will be there to drive in runs with the potential running throughout the White Sox lineup, just as much as scoring runs from the top.

"With Alexei [Ramirez] and Josh [Fields] at the bottom of lineup, they are going to be on base a lot. So the opportunities will be there," Wise said. "I know I'll get pitches to hit.

"Ozzie talked to me yesterday and said he didn't want me to change anything. Just go out there and be myself and play my game. So, there won't be any changes. I'm just going out there and playing my game."