Five bold Chicago White Sox predictions for September

Prediction One: Adam Eaton Will Hit for the Cycle

Aug 21, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton (1) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Eaton is a prototypical candidate to hit for the cycle. The speedy leadoff man possesses gap-power that lends itself to extra base hits, and he has the speed to stretch a two-bagger into a triple with ease.

This is evidenced by his league-leading ten triples last season. He has eight on the year as of now, which is tied for 4th overall.

On July 27th, Eaton finished a home run shy of the cycle. If this was 2014, I’d say that Eaton’s chances of hitting for it were about equal to that of John Danks pitching a no-hitter.

The difference in 2015 is that Eaton is finally exploiting his solid contact skills, by adding a little more loft to his swing. As a result, he’s reached a career-high and the double-digit mark in home runs, with ten on the season.

He’s even shown some home run pop to the opposite field, which means Eaton doesn’t just have to turn on a fastball to take one deep.

Adam Eaton is a prototypical candidate to hit for the cycle.

Of course, there is quite a bit of luck involved in hitting for the cycle. There have been 306 cycles over the course of MLB history, and considering that there’s also only been 289 no-hitters, the cycle stacks up pretty nicely against other rare feats.

Eaton is hitting a robust .305/.403/.448 line since the all-star break so he’s heating up just in time to convert on such an accomplishment.

It’s definitely a bold prediction to go out and say that he will hit for the cycle in September, but if we’re looking for reasons to watch, I’d say Eaton is Chicago’s best chance at making a little history as the season winds down.

Next: What to expect from John Danks