The start of the MLB season is almost upon on us. Teams are wrapping up their spring training games and looking forward to playing some games that count.
This feeling is no different for the Chicago White Sox. After the 2017 season was year one of the rebuild, the Sox look to shock some people this season.
Going 67-95 last season, the plan was never really to compete. This season, even though the plan isn’t necessarily to compete for a playoff spot, is to show signs that this team can be a force for years to come. Just don’t tell this team they’re not supposed to compete this season.
The Sox spring training depended on how the young talent looked. In spring no one really cares about what your record looks like, but the Sox compiled a 16-12 record that left a few fans talking.
While the hype was all about the prospects, some of the Sox veterans didn’t want to be overshadowed by the young talent. Especially the offense, that looked like it can give some pitches nightmares in 2018.
Many people took Avisail Garcia’s 2017 season as a fluke. Garcia hit .330, hit 18 homers, and drove in 80 runs. This surprising season came after three below average seasons from Garcia, one a highly touted prospect for the Sox.
Garcia would silence his doubters once again this spring, hitting .364. Garcia was once casted off as a player many fans wouldn’t care see shipped off somewhere, but at only 26 years old, Garcia can be a major part of the Sox future.
Matt Davidson is another player who surprised some people last season. Davison won’t win any batting titles, but he proved he can be a power bat in any lineup, hitting 26 homers in only 118 games.
Davidson impressed this spring as well. He compiled a .328 average, four homers, and drove in 19. It is a safe bet that Davidson won’t hit anywhere near .328 this season, but over 30 home runs isn’t out of the question.
Tim Anderson will look to capitalize on his strong second half in the 2017 season. Anderson struggled most of the season offensively and defensively. One of Anderson’s biggest flaws is his inability to lay off pitches. He rarely takes any walks. For the first time in Anderson’s first four spring trainings, He finally took a base on balls. Not to get too happy, Anderson would only walk once this spring.
One Sox player not to be nervous about is Jose Abreu. Abreu is a walking hitting machine. Underrated, due to the Sox lack of success, he has been one of the most consistent hitters in all of baseball. Driving in 100 runs in each of this first four seasons, which is remarkable considering the fact the Sox rarely have anyone get on base for Abreu.
The most eyes will be on Yoan Moncada this season. The former top prospect is one of the major keys for the Sox rebuild. After coming up in the middle of the season, Moncada initially struggled but looked more comfortable as the season went on.
One of the key changes manager Rick Renteria made this spring was to try out Moncada in the leadoff spot. Moncada shined when put in the leadoff spot this spring and may have found his spot in the lineup for years to come.
Pitching is in question for the Sox though. Opening day starter James Shields has been a disaster since the Sox traded for him, a move that saw the Sox trade off top ten prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. Carson Fulmer ended last season strong, but had a miserable spring. Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez were very respectable this spring, giving the fans hope that the rotation wouldn’t be as bad as last season.
You can’t talk about the White Sox without at least bringing up the prospects. No.4 overall MLB prospect Eloy Jimenez looked like an absolute star. Hitting .571 with two homers in seven games, fans expect him to be up in the middle of the season and the excitement is there.
Pitcher Michael Kopech had his rough outings this spring, but his potential is still there. Kopech has the stuff to be a future ace.
With division teams, like the Tigers and Royals, rebuilding from scratch the Sox should compile more wins this season. The Twin are young and coming off a wild card appearance, so they have a legit chance on being better. While, the Indians are the cream of the crop in the division, taking the central crown back to back years.
We might not see playoffs this year, but the Sox will be an interesting team to watch. Las Vegas as the Sox win total set at 68, something that sounds easily doable if the key players continue to improve.
The Sox will open the season March 29, taking on the Royals in Kanas city. They open up at home April 5, against the Tigers.
Dominic Pelligrini
Sports Reporter