Chicago White Sox: Top 5 Fantasy Players In 2015

Jul 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) follows through on a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jeff Samardzija RHP

The Shark was a prized addition to the Southside when White Sox general manager, Rick Hahn, pulled the trigger on a trade this offseason that added a much-needed right-handed starter to the rotation.

Samardzija had a phenomenal season in 2014, posting a 2.99 ERA to go along with 202 strikeouts, but was rewarded with only 7 wins. His 3.20 FIP and 1.065 WHIP also suggest his ERA was not out of line.

A big contributor to his success was a more aggressive and surgical approach. Samardzija increased his first-strike percentage from 59.7 percent in 2013 to 65.5 percent in ’14. Pitching ahead in the count is always an advantage, and clearly one that had Shark smelling blood in the water. However, predictive models aren’t being so kind to Samardzija.

According to Fantasy Pros, Zeile Consensus Projections predict a 13-10 record in 2015 for the newest member of the White Sox starting rotation. They predict his ERA will jump up to 3.56, while finishing with 198 strikeouts.

While I agree that Samardzija will see his ERA increase a bit at US Cellular Field, I’m comforted by his performance at Wrigley Field last year, where he posted a 2.24 ERA in nine starts.

More Runs, More Fun

He will also get a boost from an offense that boasts power and speed. In 2014 Samardzija benefited from two runs or less of support in 15 out of 33 games started, or 45.4% of his starts.

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By comparison, White Sox ace, Chris Sale, received two runs or less of run support in only 9 of his 26 starts, a 34.6 percent rate. Even if the White Sox offense doesn’t improve over last season, Samardzija can still expect to see more run support than he’s used to, and more wins as a result of it.

However, I do see his strikeout total decreasing as a result of spending a full season in the American League, where his K/9 rate dipped from 8.6 to 8.0 following his trade to the Athletic from the Cubs last season.

My line on Samardzija is a 15-8 record with a 3.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 192 K. Samardzija will be a solid fantasy starter to have in your mix. He’s a workhorse that will provide a plethora of quality starts, strikeouts and wins.

Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox, SS

4. Alexei Ramirez SS

The Cuban Missile won a Silver Slugger award and appeared in the All-Star game last season. Can he repeat that success in 2015?

At 33 years old, it’s hard to believe he will, but that doesn’t mean his production doesn’t warrant a spot on your roster. Shortstop is usually a position where it’s tough to grab consistent production. There are plenty of flashier options out there, such as Hanley Ramirez and Troy Tulowitzki, but that flash comes with risk.

Injuries and dips in production have plagued many of the game’s top talents in recent years. Alexei, though, has remained consistent.

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He has batted .265 or better each season, hit 70-plus RBIs four out of the last five years, and swiped 20 or more bases the last three. Father time may dampen his production this season compared to last, when he posted a .273/.305/.408 slash line, but even so, he’s a safe bet at a premier position.

Ramirez should get plenty of opportunities to drive in runs with a lineup that boasts plenty of hitters that know how to get on base. Adam Eaton, Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia, Adam LaRoche, and Melky Cabrera will do a fine job setting the table; all Ramirez has to do is put the ball in play.

I’m betting on a .268 average, 12 HR, 71 RBI and 20 SB for the Missile in ’15.

Jul 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws a pitch in the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3. Chris Sale LHP

Maybe this is the year …the year that Chris Sale wins the Cy Young award. After finishing third in voting last season due to an elbow injury that limited him to 26 starts, expect Sale to pitch with a chip on his shoulder in ’15.

Since Sale’s unique delivery puts his elbow at risk, and the White Sox are hoping he’ll be needed for a postseason run. Expect them to be judicious with his workload during the regular season.

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• Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa

Sale’s 2.17 ERA in 2014 was outer worldly, and will be extremely tough to duplicate this season. His 2.57 FIP suggests that he won’t. However, fantasy managers will be happy to get a few extra starts out of the Cy Young candidate in exchange for a few tenths, or even half of a point added to his ERA.

There are few pitchers in the league you can count on year in and year out to pitch like an All-Star. Sale is one of this few, earning a trip to the All-Star game the last three seasons, with ’15 likely being his fourth trip to the mid-summer classic, barring injury.

Chris saw his K/9 rate skyrocket from 9.5 in 2013 to 10.8 in 2014. His career average is 9.8. If he can start 30 games again like he did in ’12 and ’13, his strikeout total should shoot back up into the 220 range. A much improved offense will likely pad his win total as well. Sale is a No. 1 starter on any fantasy team.

I expect Sale to start 30 games during the regular season resulting in a 17-7 record, 198 IP, a 2.75 ERA, and 220 K’s.

Aug 24, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) pitches during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 7-4 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

2. David Robertson RP

Do you know what you get when you combine a lineup headlined by Eaton, Abreu, and Cabrera, a starting rotation that features Sale, Samrdzija, and Quintana, and one of the best closers in the game? Saves, saves, and more saves.

In fact, when this guy comes out of the bullpen I want this song to play, because David Robertson is taking fools to church in ’15, and the White Sox are getting saved!

Okay, so I may be a little excited about the addition of Robertson this offseason, but fantasy owners should be excited too. Robertson will provide a steady stream of saves and strikeouts out of the bullpen this year.

This guy is legit. He stepped into the shadow of Mariano Rivera one block away from the house that Ruth built and converted 39 out of 44 save opportunities, while striking out 96 batters in 64.1 innings. Holy baseballs of fire Batman.

Welcome to Southside Mr. Robertson, can we get you anything to drink?

So how good can D-Rob be in the Windy City? I’m thinking 40-plus saves good. The AL Central isn’t an offensive behemoth outside of Detroit and Chicago.

Zeile Consensus has him pegged for a 2.74 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 37 saves. I think the ERA and strikeout estimates are fair, but I think his save total will be higher. I’m still not sold on the White Sox defense as being spectacular, but I also don’t think he will give up homers at a 15.6% HR/FB clip in 2015 either.

I’m predicting a 2.86 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and 44 saves for Robertson in 2015. Draft this guy next month if you don’t care to be scouring the waiver wire for saves in June.

Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jose Abreu 1B

You know him, you love him, your 2014 Rookie of the Year, Jose Abreu. This guy is a must own for every Sox fan. Adding Adam LaRoche to the club will allow Abreu to remain fresh during the season by giving him rest when needed.

In fact, with Emilio Bonifacio on the bench, manager Robin Ventura could elect to start Cabrera at first and Bonifacio in left field if he wants to give Abreu a day off while keeping LaRoche at DH. The White Sox have a lot of options, due to increased flexibility from their offseason acquisitions.

Abreu is certainly a first round pick as a result of his performance last season, which saw him hit .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI.

As Southside Showdown editor Stephen Forsha pointed out, he’s rated as the No. 2 first baseman  by Baseball America. If you don’t grab him quick, you won’t get him. He hits for high average, power, and will score plenty of runs this season near the top of the White Sox order.

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Some detractors may point to a potential sophomore slump as a reason for caution, but I don’t think there’s any more risk of that than any other player, such as Miguel Cabrera or Paul Goldschmidt, having their own dip in production.

I predict the slugger will follow-up his rookie campaign by winning the MVP in ’15, batting .320 with 110 RBI and 92 runs scored.

Now that we have that out-of-the-way, you can spend your time thinking of the perfect team name!