The South Side Slugger and the Kids of the White Sox

The South Side Slugger and the Kids of the White Sox

 

The Chicago White Sox in my opinion are the most unpredictable team in baseball coming into the 2014 season. They have a very young core with very little experience, which of course is a negative, but if these guys prove to be the players the team thinks they are and can meet or even surpass expectation, this could very well be a wild card team.

Chris Sale is the ace of the staff and one of the top pitchers in the game, and not just from the left side. Behind him in the rotation are certainly not guys who will strike fear into opposing hitters but are serviceable pitchers who can get the job done. The Sox traded for Adam Eaton to be their starting centerfielder and leadoff man and Matt Davidson to man the hot corner. Playing right field will be Avisail Garcia, or as he is most affectionately known, Mini Miggy, for his similar look and build to Miguel Cabrera. The White Sox could only hope and pray for the same type of production.

The biggest question mark and unknown this season for the White Sox is their new first baseman, Cuban defector Jose Abreu. Reading up on expectations for Abreu there are some who say this guy could very well lead the American League in home runs. His raw power and slugging are arguably unmatched in the game and he could burst onto the scene just like fellow Cuban Yasiel Puig. No matter how he performs offensively Abreu is a clear defensive upgrade over an aging Paul Konerko and the corpse of Adam Dunn.

I personally see Abreu finishing somewhere in the .255-.265/23-26HR/84-90RBI range for his first season. Getting acclimated to Major League pitching, the 162 game schedule, and the travel that comes with being a big leaguer will drag his numbers down some. I definitely see him drawing his fair share of walks with his patient approach and pitchers unwillingness to give him anything to hit especially with men on.

I don’t see this being the year for the White Sox as far as making the playoffs is concerned but they will definitely be a fun team to watch develop. They need one more top of the rotation pitcher to pair with Sale and need their young core to keep maturing and progressing. The Windy City is certainly blowing in some change on both the South Side and the North Side (that’s a matter for another day) and it is an exciting time for baseball in Chicago.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the Arizona Diamondbacks and if they’ve done enough to compete with the Dodgers in the NL West. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.