We're finally here everybody. This week, we will get to watch real, meaningful baseball games. The White Sox are still a year away from being a serious playoff contender, but that doesn't mean that they won't be a lot more fun to watch than last year. Mainly because we will see Eloy and eventually Dylan Cease among other prospects. So which players will break out? What will they finish record-wise? Prospect of the year? Plus a lot more bold predictions. Let's go.
1) Eloy Jimenez hits 30+ home runs, wins Rookie of the Year
Last week, Eloy Jimenez signed a contract extension without even taking a MLB at-bat. The 6 year, 43M dollar extension with 2 club options makes it the richest of its kind for a player to never play in the MLB. This contract all but assures that Eloy will make his debut with the White Sox on Opening Day in Kansas City. Eloy has some of the best power in the minor leagues. Hell, he might already have some of the best power in the MLB. Compared to Giancarlo Stanton, Eloy could definitely reach the 30 home run plateau in his rookie season, especially now that he should start his career on Opening Day. With Vlad Gurrero Jr. being stowed in the minors until the Blue Jays accumulate the extra year of service time, it should give Eloy an automatic jump in all the major stats.
2) Yoan Moncada Finally Breaks Out
The time is now for baseball's former no. 1 overall prospect. After a year and a half of mediocre play, many experts are pegging 2019 to be a breakout year for Moncada. He looks more comfortable at 3rd base, he changed his approach a bit, and has passed the eye test in Spring Training. When I say eye test, I don't mean I'm looking at his stats (don't be the guy that gets excited by Spring Training highs and lows). No, I'm more so looking at Moncada's body language, and he looks as confident at the plate as I've ever seen him. He's starting to get more aggressive earlier in counts and swinging at pitches in the zone. Now that he has his first full season under his belt, I think he will make the necessary adjustments to succeed. There will always be swing and miss in his game, but if he hits .270, gets on base at a .360 clip, and has a 20/20 season, I wont be surprised. We all know Moncada has a limitless ceiling. This is the year we start to see him make strides towards it.
3) Tim Anderson Steals 40 Bags
Tim Anderson was probably the player on the White Sox last year who improved the most from the start of the season to the end of it. We really saw him start to see what he could do when he has the green light on the base paths, as evidenced by his 26 steals. If he continues to improve at the plate, he'll get on base at a higher clip, which leads to more stolen base opportunities. Simple math. While 26 steals to 40 is a pretty big jump in one year, Tim has the speed and technique to do it. It will all fall back on him raising that OBP though. Last year he got on base at a .281 clip. If he can get that closer to .300, it would make a huge difference in his stolen base total.
4) Carlos Rodon Stays Healthy, Has Career Year And Makes All-Star Game
Carlos Rodon has showed stretches of brilliance when he looks like a true Ace. Unfortunately, he hasn't really been able to stay off the Disabled List. Now he's the Opening Day Starter and will look to get off to a hot start. Pitching is going to be a big question mark for the White Sox for the most part in 2019, but Rodon can be that consistent force at the top of the rotation if he consistently pairs his high fastball with his devastating slider. I think he can get anywhere from 12-15 wins this year and have an ERA lower than 3.75. Both of those would be career bests for Rodon, but again, it all hinges on him staying healthy all year.
5) Luis Robert Has The Best Year For A White Sox Prospect
Robert is one of many White Sox prospects that have been bitten by the injury bug. With Luis, he seems to jam or sprain his finger every time he slides into a base. More often than not that is just bad luck. Hopefully that's the case with him and he has a healthy year in the minors. When he is healthy he has shown some of the best speed/power combos in the minors. Robert can truly do it all and it's just a matter of time before his pure talent and athleticism over match his competition.
6) Team Uses Easy Early Schedule To Get Off To Hot Start
The White Sox schedule to start off the year couldn't really be more perfect for them. After opening the season at the end of March in KC, they go to Cleveland (who may be without both Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez) for 2. They then host Seattle for 3 (a team who started to sell after coming short of the playoffs last year), and Tampa Bay for 3 (a good team no denying) before going to the Bronx for 3 with the Yankees. But here's where it gets good: from April 15th to the 30th, the White Sox play either Kansas City, Detroit, or Baltimore. Those are three of the worst teams in the MLB. Granted the White Sox aren't that good either, but they definitely have more talent than the aforementioned teams above. The only tough stretch for them will be the 6 games with Tampa Bay and New York. The rest of the time they should be in every game. For a young team, that is exactly what you want to start the year.
7) Final Record: 74-88, 3rd In A.L. Central
While a record of 74-88 may sound like another bad year, it should be looked at as a step in the right direction. After winning just 62 games last year, 74 would be a win in my book. A 12 game swing is a lot no doubt about it, but if you factor in a healthy Rodon, Eloy, and a legit bullpen, I think it's doable. Then in 2020 they can come back stronger than ever with the return of Michael Kopech, a full year of Dylan Cease, and eventually Luis Robert, Zack Collins, and Nick Madrigal. This should (hopefully) be the last year of mediocrity before the White Sox take off and are an actual threat to win the A.L. Central.
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