Kansas City Royals: How will AL Central fare in early 2020s?
By Cody Rickman
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Notable Additions:
- Yasmani Grandal C
- Edwin Encarnacion DH
- Dallas Keuchel LHP
- Gio Gonzalaz LHP
- Nomar Mazara RF
- Tayron Guerrero RHP
- Pending arrivals/returns of top prospects Luis Robert OF, Nick Madrigal 2B, Andrew Vaughn 1B, and Michael Kopech SP.
The offseason improvements by the Chicago White Sox are hard to ignore. If Giolito and Lopez continue to progress and remain healthy, then the additions of Keuchel and Gonzalez will make this one of the better pitching staffs in the AL.
The White Sox are in an enviable position with having a potentially crowded rotation if Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech return from rehabbing from injury in excellent form. The bullpen features several power arms and they should continue to improve.
The White Sox could have a potent lineup with their free agent signings, trade acquisitions, and MLB ready top prospects. An outfield with Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Nomar Mazara is likely to be wreaking havoc on the southside after June.
Jimenez had a fine rookie season and the scouting reports on Robert project him to be a star in the making. If Mazara finally fulfills his promise, the White Sox will have a devastating outfield for much of the early part of the new decade.
The infield has star power in Yoan Moncada at third and Tim Anderson at shortstop. Jose Abreu was locked up long-term at first base and top first base prospect Andrew Vaughn will be ready by 2021.
How long the White Sox wait to bring up Nick Madrigal is an interesting question. Madrigal could break spring training camp with the big-league ball club, but a likely June call-up is most likely. Madrigal has the potential to be the best second baseman in the AL in the new decade.
The biggest offseason addition in the AL Central has to be the White Sox signing of Yasmani Grandal. Grandal brings power (101 homers last four seasons), patience (109 BBs in 2019), leadership, and outstanding pitch framing statistics to the White Sox. The White Sox pitching staff will improve dramatically with Grandal behind the dish.
The White Sox also added another power bat recently in the signing of Edwin Encarnacion, who will man the DH position until Andrew Vaughn is ready to take over at first base.
The White Sox have the potential to dominate the AL Central for first half of the new decade if they stay healthy and their pitching continues to improve.