Apr 27, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton (1) celebrates with right fielder Dayan Viciedo (24) after scoring a run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
A record setting month just adds to the already impressive year for rookie first baseman Jose Abreu. Last week’s Co-American League Player of the Week with a .310 average, five home runs, AL-best 14 RBI, eight runs scored and .862 Slugging Percentage. Out of the rookies, Abreu surpasses all, holding 10 home runs and 31 RBI through the month of April – the most out of any rookie.
Abreu not only leads the rookies, but the league. The rookie first baseman leads the league in home runs (10) and RBI (31), besting some of the best hitters in the league.
Having a player like Abreu is something this White Sox line up desperately needed. But the success at the plate doesn’t end with Abreu.
Five different players have a better average than Abreu – including a team leading Tyler Flowers with .354 average.
Alexei Ramirez has hit safely in 27 of 29 games, something that has not been done for the White Sox since 1920.
And Dayan Viciedo – who struggled at the start of the season – now has .348 average.
This White Sox line-up is in the top three of the best hitting teams in the league, behind the Tigers in second. Through the month of April, this White Sox team has been a fun team to watch. Walk-off grand slams, multiple record-breaking performances and showing off those great retro jerseys. It has been a good month in the stat sheet for the White Sox – but not in the win column.
The Sox are fourth in the AL central, but if the bats keep up like they have been, wins are around the corner. But for White Sox fans, the offense is there, the defense is coming along and this is an exciting team to watch as we enter into the summer months.