Year two of White Sox GM Rick Hahn’s rebuild has a focus on developing the talent they have acquired from last seasons fire sale.
Last season the White Sox were one of the worst teams in baseball, and for the moment, that is a very good thing. As one of the many teams that isn’t exactly trying their very best to win games in the league right now, however, it’s hard to argue with the results. Since the south-siders committed to the rebuild and traded Chris Sale, the team’s farm system has quickly risen and is now regarded as one of the best collections of talent the league has to offer.
Some of the pieces arrived at the big leagues last year, like former No. 1 overall prospect Yoan Moncada, who officially isn’t considered a prospect for the first time in his major league career. The rest of the team’s prospects are likely still a season or two away from competing at the big league level – just don’t tell the team they can’t compete in 2018.
The clubhouse has a solid mix of young talent like Moncada and promising infielder Nicky Delmonico, as well as veterans like franchise-face Jose Abreu and starter James Shields. Manager Rick Renteria has brought a particular vibe to Chicago’s clubhouse and the players, both young and old, are buying in. But this team, whether or not management truly wants them to, feels they can field a competitive team right now.
Best Case Scenario
The White Sox 2018 will be decided by their prospects and the team’s willingness to call on them from the minor leagues, particularly their pitchers. Currently, the White Sox rotation to start 2018 will feature Shields, followed by a trio of top pitching prospects in Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and, Carson Fulmer, and will be rounded out by Miguel Gonzalez for the moment with Carlos Rodon starting the season on the disabled list. If the veteran Shields can start the season hot, the Sox would likely try and move him at the deadline and replace him with prospects like Michael Kopech or Alex Hansen.
If the rotation lives up to the high expectations and comes together a season early, it could help a White Sox club that struggled to score at times last season. With the only established bats in the lineup belonging to Abreu and Avisail Garcia, who had a breakout 2017 season, the rotation will require run support to come from somewhere. Look no further than slugger Matt Davidson, who crushed 26 dingers as a DH/3rd baseman last season.
If Davidson can offer some protection for Abreu and Garcia while proving he can do more than just clobber right-handed pitching, and Moncada takes the next step in his development process, the White Sox have the framework of a team built to win some games. There isn’t a go-to arm in the White Sox bullpen, but Joakim Soria and Nate Jones are at least formidable, and Hector Santiago and Luis Avilan add decent depth.
At best though, this team possibly sneaks in as a Wild Card team, and with so many unproven players needing to play essential roles to make a true postseason runs, Chicago feels like a team a few seasons away.
Worst Case Scenario
In regards to their record, if the White Sox are once again terrible in 2018, that really is a good thing for this club. Ensuring another top pick in the draft would only help stabilize an already very sturdy farm system.
If a player like James Shields continues to be, well, James Shields that could hurt the Rich Hahn’s ability to make a move at the deadline this summer. But it wouldn’t cripple any long-term plans for the Sox, which is the biggest concern for the team. However, an injury sustained to any of their core pieces, whether it be Moncada or top prospects Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, or elite international prospect Luis Robert.
An injury to one of the White Sox future core players, causing them to miss significant time and stunting their development would be the only way this White Sox could be considered a failure – from the front office’s perspective at least. If Moncada were to regress some, similar to what happened to the team’s current starting shortstop Tim Anderson, that could ruin some of Rick Hahn’s vision for this team. But, barring a massive injury, the White Sox are ok with learning from growing pains in 2018.
Team MVP
Jose Abreu – 1B
I wrestled between three players to pick for this, and while it’s easy to see Yoan Moncada making a leap in his first full season in the majors or for Tim Anderson to revert back to the player he was in 2016, Abreu means so much more to this club. The 31-year-old 1st baseman had the best overall season of his career last year, while also accepting the role of mentor with open arms. Abreu also happens to be one of the most consistent hitters in baseball, always batting close to .300 and you can count on him hitting at least 30 home runs in 2018. He leads by example but also isn’t afraid to pull a younger player by the side and teach them how to be a pro. His value goes beyond the stat sheet and it’s the main reason Abreu still remains a White Sox.
Prediction
The White Sox will go as far as their rotation can carry them, which could be pretty far if things break their way all season. However, we’re talking about prospects and it would be crazy to assume every one of these players will become elite-level talents. Expect more ups and downs from the White Sox this year, as they keep drudging towards their window of contention, which still feels a years away.