Fansided

Best MLB player on each team in 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 06: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox smiles as heads back to the dugout at the end of the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 06: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox smiles as heads back to the dugout at the end of the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 06, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Chicago White Sox: Jose Abreu

It won’t be his team for much longer, but veteran first baseman Jose Abreu is still the face of the Chicago White Sox. Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez might make this more of a debate later in the season, but Abreu is still the clear choice for best player on the team. He has remained incredibly steady and productive despite the total rebuild Chicago has been working on the past three seasons.

Since arriving in the big leagues from Cuba in 2014, Abreu has been one of the most consistent power hitters in the league. He is a career .294/.353/.517 hitter with 149 home runs and 496 RBI. The 2018 season was the first time the 32-year-old failed to play in at least 145 games. Abreu is a two-time All-Star and has averaged 29 home runs and 98 RBI in his five full MLB seasons. This is the final year of his first contract with the White Sox, and the team has gotten incredible value from him so far.

Abreu isn’t flashy by any stretch of the imagination, but he gets the job done. As the White Sox move forward into the next phase of their rebuilding effort and attempt to begin winning, the first baseman should remain an important part of their plans. He has been the veteran presence to help bring the younger prospects along and has not uttered a single complaint about the team’s gutting.

Moncada and Jimenez are the future for the White Sox lineup, but Jose Abreu has been an incredibly consistent and productive hitter. He should still figure in the team’s long-term plans (since the front office never seriously considered dealing him despite a very team-friendly contract, perhaps an extension comes later this summer), but if this is to be the final summer in Chicago for Abreu, hopefully White Sox fans show their gratitude.

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