White Sox midseason awards: A few diamonds in the rough

Jul 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Carlos Sanchez (5) throws Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) out at first base in the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Gold Glove – 2B Carlos Sanchez

While offense has been hard to come by for many of the White Sox players, defense hasn’t been too much better. They are 12th in the AL in fielding percentage and according FanGraphs defensive rating they are the worst team in all of baseball.

The league average for defensive rating is 17.5. The White Sox have a rating of -32.

The team leader in that category is Sanchez at 3.8 and every bit of it has shown on the field. In 434.2 innings at second base this season, he has committed just two errors. Highlight reel plays like the one below have been the norm for him.

The spectacular plays he has made on a regular basis have been the reason Ventura has kept Sanchez in the lineup everyday. Without him there wouldn’t be much defense played at all this season.

Next: Player to watch in the second half?