Fear not, Chicago White Sox fans. Though the record after the All-Star break is disappointing, Sox fans all knew this was coming. The target year of the White Sox Rebuild has always been 2020 and beyond. A team that has Ryan Cordell, Yolmer Sanchez, Welington Castillo, Jon Jay, etc. all getting consistent playing time was never expected to contend in 2019.
The Prospects
There is light ahead. Ryan Cordell will turn into Luis Robert, Yolmer Sanchez will turn into Nick Madrigal. Welington Castillo will turn into one of Zack Collins, Yermin Mercedes or even a free agent. Jon Jay will be replaced by one of Blake Rutherford, Luis Gonzalez, Micker Adolfo, Luis Basabe or Steele Walker. Looking ahead to that lineup, there really isn’t a single weak spot to find.
And there lies the evidence that the White Sox rebuild is still right on pace. Injuries may be stacking up at the moment, and the current major league team may be underperforming, but all the key pieces are doing as good or better than fans could want.
The Current Team
Lucas Giolito has become the top of the rotation guy that White Sox fans envisioned when he was acquired a few years ago. He’s regressed a little bit with a 4.01 ERA post All-Star break, but that’s likely due to fatigue because of a completely different arm angle than he’s been used to before this year. He’ll continue to improve as he gets stronger with his newer arm angle.
Yoan Moncada looks like a perennial all-star already. “#Bustcada” appears to be a thing of the past. Instead, he’s shown why he was the number one prospect in baseball just two years ago. Currently hitting .301/.358/.535, Moncada is showing that he can be the cornerstone on a World Series contender.
Tim Anderson had the best month of any White Sox in recent memory through March/April. He’s no doubt becoming the heart and soul of this team and is showing what kind of leader he can be. Coming off his most recent injury, he’s been on fire, improving his batting average 15 points in his last 18 games.
Coming Out of Nowhere
James McCann came out of nowhere to become the second-best catcher in the American League and is still only 29 years old. With the catcher position consistently being the worst offensive position on almost every single team, it’s refreshing to see a guy on this squad putting up the numbers that McCann is. He definitely regressed after the All-Star break, as pitchers have been learning how to adjust to his new approach, but has been heating back up. He’s posted a .364/.407/.600 line in his last 15 games.
Even Reynaldo Lopez has turned a corner since the All-Star break. Just as he said he would, Lopez found the problem that was plaguing him nearly every start in the first half of 2019. As a result, he has turned in three terrific starts in a row. His pitch location has improved dramatically, and his offspeed pitches have seemingly developed even more movement as of late. He’s thrown to the tune of a 2.91 ERA over his last seven games and seems to get better with each start.
Going Forward
Overall, the core looks to be in good standing. There are aspects with some question marks, but still showing positive signs. Dylan Cease has been great in almost every outing minus his one bad inning per start. He currently has a 6.43 ERA in the first inning and a 12.86 ERA in the second inning. After he gets out of the first two, his overall numbers improve drastically.
The bullpen has three new studs throwing terrifically in Aaron Bummer, Alex Colome and Evan Marshall with the continuously improving Jace Fry. Bummer, currently carrying a 1.1 WAR, is now the most reliable guy in the bullpen and seems to get a ground ball every time he needs one. He gives the team a much needed 8th inning option and could very well be the closer of the future.
The only position that might be of concern in the immediate future would be right field. That position could very well be Steele Walker’s in the long term. For now, though, White Sox fans should look towards a pretty decent outfield free-agent market for help. Nicholas Castellanos, Marcell Ozuna or Yasiel Puig would look great out in right field over the next few years.
So, have some faith in Rick Hahn and the rest of the front office, Sox fans. With a strong rotation and terrific lineup coming in the very near future, the Chicago White Sox rebuild is right on track for a 2020 playoff berth.
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