Fansided

Best player on every MLB team

By Matt Whitener

Aug 24, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) looks on from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) looks on from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches against the New York Yankees in the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches against the New York Yankees in the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago White Sox—Chris Sale

Top billing for the White Sox is a tough call. On one hand, there is the regularly impressive bat of Jose Abreu, as well as the underrated presence of Adam Eaton and the addition of Home Run Derby king Todd Frazier. But when it all comes down to it, there are few players in the game that can have the calming effect on an opponent’s box score that Chris Sale can produce.

It can be argued that there is no more deceptively dominant of a pitcher in the game today. Sale continued to reaffirm his place as the top victim of circumstance (also known as the best pitcher on a bad team) in the game today. He is coming off a season where he bested his former career high in strikeouts by nearly 50, despite only making one more start than in the season where he set his previous high.

Sale’s ERA did rise by over a run and a half last season, partially due to being supported by the AL’s worst team defense, which allowed for an absurdly high .324 average against him on balls in play. The improvements that the White Sox made defensively around their infield should greatly assist in raising the results of Sale on the mound. Especially since he is a virtual lock to remain one of the most oft-unhittable pitchers in the game today.

Next: Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto

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