Chicago White Sox 2015 preview and predictions
By Robby Sabo
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3 Players to Watch
- 1B Jose Abreu
- OF Avisail Garcia
- SP Jose Quintana
Why is Jose Abreu the first name on the list for players to watch? Well it’s simple. The guy started out so hot as a 28-year old rookie last year that a falloff at some point was to be expected. But his power numbers fell off at an alarming rate.
The Cuban sensation hit an incredible 29 home runs during the first half, while the second half saw him only blast nine.
Could it be that American League pitchers finally caught up to his tactics? Once the book spreads on how to get a man out, the responsibility then lies with the hitter to adjust. Whether Abreu repeats his dominant 2014 performance in 2015 is a major question mark.
Avisail Garcia becomes very important as one of the other guys in the middle of the lineup should Abreu take a dip. His seven home runs and 29 runs batted in during his 46-game call-up stint last year is very promising.
While the top two spots of the rotation seem to be on lockdown, the swing guy in the number three hole could be the difference between a solid rotation or another disappointing pitching season. Young Jose Quintana will counted upon to provide his usual powerful stuff. His 178 strikeouts and 3.32 earned run average last season needs to be repeated.
Next: Keys for Success