White Sox: Young Role Players Team Should Consider for 2017
By Brian Draus
With the White Sox out of contention, there will be players that are looking to make an impression for next season. What players should the team keep for 2017?
Now that the White Sox are playing out the string for 2016, there are a few players they should take a look at. The reason for this is simple: the organization needs to see what they have in some of their younger players. Considering the fact the book is pretty much closed on their postseason chances, preparation for next year begins now.
Here are the players:
Carlos Sanchez: 2B/SS
Sanchez has proven to be a plus defensive second baseman.However, the jury is still out on whether he will ever be able to hit enough to play at the MLB level. In 76 at bats so far in 2016, Sanchez is hitting a measly .132. This is nowhere near good enough to play more less start in the major leagues. While his absolute ceiling in the big leagues could be Erick Aybar. He still has a long way to go before he reaches that level with the bat.
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Anthony Ranaudo: RHP
A former draft pick of the Theo Epstein regime in Boston, Ranaudo has the ability to be a solid major league starting pitcher. With a plus curveball and solid fastball, Ranaudo could become a very good pitcher if he develops more command. If he could ever develop a consistent changeup, he could be a solid starter. The big question is can the White Sox develop Ranaudo into a good MLB pitcher? They have a solid history with pitchers, and now they need that to repeat itself in Ranaudo’s case.
Tyler Saladino: INF/OF
Considering the fact Saladino probably doesn’t have one physical skill that stands out, he makes up for it with great knowledge and instincts. While Sanchez could start assuming he could ever hit, that isn’t the case with Saladino. However, the White Sox need to find out if Saladino has the ability to be a solid utility player at the MLB level. One major issue he needs to work on is taking pitches, as he has walked a total of 22 times while striking out 103 times in his career. Saladino had 452 official MLB at bats. If that doesn’t change, there is a major question about his ability to play in the major leagues. Along with the fact he doesn’t hit for a high average or much power. Saladino is a career backup, the question is how good is he?
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Overall, the White Sox need to give their young players some playing time. I realize Brett Lawrie could return from the disabled list, which would send Sanchez to the minors for a short time if it happened before September 1. However, it makes sense for the White Sox brass to take a look at what they have in their young players, even if it is in meaningless baseball. Will these three players become mainstays on the South Side? That scenario is unlikely, but it helps to find out what you have in-house before looking elsewhere. Don’t expect Hall-of-Famers here, but maybe a solid role player or two. Something the White Sox need a lot of, and desperately.