White Sox Quintet Of Rookies Contributing In Big Ways

When you think of the 2021 Chicago White Sox, the first names that pop into your head will probably be Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, and Lucas Giolito. Rightfully so. Those three are the clear leaders of the team and have shown that they are some of the best players in the league. But the front office has done a great job of mixing in youth to give a good balance to a team with championship aspirations. Every team has some solid rookie contributors, but how many can say that they have a bonafide group of 5? The White Sox certainly can.

The Two Flamethrowers

Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet figure to be a part of future White Sox rotations for years to come. For now, though, the team is more than fine with them dominating in the bullpen, and in Kopech's case, a spot start every now and then. Kopech has especially dominated this year, posting a 1.71 ERA in 10 appearances (3 starts). The team is carefully monitoring his innings throughout the regular season so they can use him as a weapon if/when the team is still playing when October rolls around.

Crochet is a little different and even more raw than Kopech since he never even saw time in the minor leagues. His command still needs fine-tuning but talent-wise he has the stuff that other pitchers dream of. The ability to throw 98+ from the left side while mixing in a wipeout slider is ridiculously rare. In 10.2 innings pitched, he is rocking a 0.84 ERA, although he would like to see his 22% strikeout rate go up and his 14% walk rate go down as the season progresses. Still just 21 years old, the Sox won't rush him into the rotation by any means.

Three Bonafide Bats

Having 2 rookies in Crochet and Kopech would be great for any team to have. But the Sox also have three bats to go along with the aforementioned pitchers in the form of Nick Madrigal, Yermin Mercedes, and Andrew Vaughn. Madrigal is a type of player we really haven't seen before. In a time where strikeouts are at an all-time high, he is a player that just refuses to go down on strikes. This is evidenced by his 3.9%(!) strikeout rate. He rarely swings and misses and is a great 9-hole hitter to turn the lineup back over. His hyped-up defense and baseball IQ have been a little shaky to begin his career, but both of those should improve with more time on the field. Andrew Vaughn is a rookie who has never played above high-A in the minor leagues. After a slow start, Vaughn is starting to drive the ball more all while consistently getting on base. After last night's home run, he is up to a slash line of .259/.367/.420. At his peak, he should see those numbers start with 3's, 4's, and 5's. A true middle-of-the-order bat for years to come, Vaughn is the real deal. And his last week of games is showing us that he's about to take off.

Then we have Yermin. One of the best stories in baseball. A rule-5 pick who probably wouldn't have gotten a chance to play if it weren't for Eloy's injury. He is leading the MLB in batting average and has a slash line of .374/.419/.574. He'll be a DH for his entire career, but if he keeps hitting like he has been then that won't bother anyone in the slightest. Sox fans have quickly grown to love "The Yerminator" and he already has his own burger named after him at a local Bridgeport eatery. He has the approach of a 10-year vet at the plate and the personality of a giddy 5-year-old in a candy shop. If the season ended today he'd be getting MVP votes.

Three Rookie Of The Year Candidates

Out of the 5 rookies on the White Sox, three of them will definitely get consideration for ROY: Andrew Vaughn, Michael Kopech, and Yermin Mercedes. Vaughn is starting to really get hot at the plate, Kopech is embarrassing batters every time he steps on the mound, and Yermin just keeps hitting. Madrigal's lack of power and Crochet's lack of innings pitched will probably take them out of the running. Still, though, 5 rookies on one team contributing in the ways that they have has the White Sox looking good both in 2021 and for many years to follow.