Fansided

Who is your MLB team’s unsung hero so far this season

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story
DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story /
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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 06: Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Luis Avilan (70) pitches during a game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on August 6, 2018, at the Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 06: Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Luis Avilan (70) pitches during a game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on August 6, 2018, at the Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Chicago White Sox: Luis Avilan

While the Chicago Cubs are having another solid season in 2018, their neighbors to the South are not having as much fun. In fact, the Chicago White Sox are one of the worst teams in baseball once again, and have not had much to smile about through the first four months of the 2018 MLB season.

While most of the roster has struggled, including some young players who were supposed to help lead this team moving forward, the White Sox have gotten a good effort out of a handful of players. One of those happens to be a relief pitcher, and while not the team’s closer, he has been instrumental in what wins the White Sox have had in 2018.

Luis Avilan is a 29-year old left-handed reliever who has been a steady hand throughout another dismal season on the South Side. Avilan came to the White Sox in a trade back in January, and while he has put up good numbers in the past, he seems to really be hitting his stride with Chicago.

For the season, Avilan has appeared in 56 games, finishing six of them, while notching one save along the way. In addition, he has struck out 41 batters over his 34.2 innings of work, issuing only 12 walks, as he has been one consistent in a bullpen that seems to enjoy allowing runs.

It is going to be a long time before the White Sox are able to catch the Cubs as the best team in Chicago, but they do have some young talent that will eventually produce. Avilan has been good for them this season, and they would be smart to hang on to him for the foreseeable future.

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