2014 Chicago White Sox Postseason Awards

White Sox Most Valuable Player

Jose Abreu (first base)

Aug 24, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) singles to right during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

This was one of two unanimous choices by the staff of Southside Showdown, voting the soon-to-be AL Rookie of the Year as the Most Valuable Player of the White Sox in ’14.

What Abreu brought was the next power hitter for the White Sox, taking the spot previously held by the retiring Paul Konerko and before that Hall of Famer Frank Thomas.

Abreu has big shoes to fill at first base (and sometimes at DH) by replacing those two White Sox legends, but after one season, Abreu seems to be on track to make his mark with the franchise.

In year No. 1, Abreu became the first White Sox batter since Dick Allen in 1974 to lead the majors in slugging percentage at .581 this season. He also had an OPS+ of 169.

Also for Abreu, who was an All-Star this season, he hit 36 home runs and tallied 107 RBIs in 145 games. In those games, he collected 176 hits, including 35 doubles and two triples. He had three stolen bases and walked 51 times.

Oh, within all of those stats, he batted a team-high .317 the first year he faced major league pitching.

This season, Abreu brought excitement back to a roster that lacked any the year before his arrival. Abreu helped make the White Sox relevant once again in terms of having a future “superstar” type of player on the roster.

The team will be in his hands next season, and he seems like the type of player who wants to take on that role.