Are White Sox Poised to Have Surprise 2018 Season?
White Sox aren’t expected to contend this upcoming season but stranger things have happened in MLB. Could 2018 team replicate the success of 2017 Twins?
Many Chicago White Sox fans are well aware this team isn’t expected to contend this upcoming season. With the team entering its second rebuilding season and the front office having a patient approach to promoting prospects, 2018 figures to be another losing year on the South Side.
Although the Sox aren’t expected to reach the postseason this year, they could very well surprise a lot of people this upcoming season. According to Richard Justice of MLB.com, he picked the Sox along with four other teams to potentially surprise people in 2018. Justice named the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and the Sox as teams that could surprise this season.
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Each of the aforementioned teams all finished well below .500 last season, with the Sox finishing the year with a 67-95 record. Despite their record, the Sox were a fun team to watch for fans in 2017. The Sox will enter 2018 with optimism but it will mostly be related to the development of their younger players and not reaching the postseason.
While this offseason has been somewhat quiet with many top-tier free agents still unsigned, the Sox have made some small moves to improve the team for 2018 and beyond. The Sox signed free agent catcher Welington Castillo and traded for relievers Joakim Soria and Luis Avilan. They were also rumored to have trade interest in Manny Machado, but the Baltimore Orioles asking price was reportedly steep.
"“No team is more interesting than this (White Sox) one thanks to GM Rick Hahn’s organizational rebuild around kids. With kids come uncertainty. But kids also bring hope. The White Sox could have two 24-year-olds (Carson Fulmer and Reynaldo Lopez) and a 23-year-old (Lucas Giolito) in their rotation, with flamethrower Michael Kopech — the third-ranked right-handed pitching prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, waiting in the wings. And then there is Yoan Moncada at second (age 22), Tim Anderson at short (age 24), and prospects like Eloy Jimenez on the verge. The young guys got valuable experience last season, and that learning process will continue in 2018. How quickly they settle in and show off their talent is the unknown. But it’ll happen at some point.” -Richard Justice, MLB.com"
The Sox will need a strong starting rotation and bullpen in order to consistently compete in 2018. However, the Sox have a relatively young rotation featuring Lucas Giolito, Carson Fulmer, Reynaldo Lopez and Carlos Rodon, who will likely miss the start of the season. The veteran starters in James Shields and Miguel Gonzalez would need to have great seasons in order for the Sox to have a strong pitching rotation.
On offense, the Sox will boast a lineup that could score many runs in 2018. Avisail Garcia who hit .330 last season will need to follow-up his All-Star year with solid production. Jose Abreu most likely will put up another quality year at the plate. Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson however, will need to establish themselves at the top of the lineup throughout this upcoming season.
Next: Tim Anderson's 2018 Revenge Tour
The Sox will also be awaiting the arrivals of Michael Kopech and possibly Eloy Jimenez this year. Both players will get enough time to develop in the minors before getting promoted to the majors. Yes, 2018 could be another losing season for the Sox. Or it could be a surprising season that captivates Sox fans and helps the team with its recruiting efforts for free agents next offseason.