After getting blanked by the Athletics Sunday, the White Sox offense found its stride Monday and Tuesday. Will these two performances be a regular occurrence in the regular season? Short answer: yes.
Disclaimer: Spring Training can be an accurate indicator of where players and teams are at in terms of their preparation for the coming season. It can just as well be completely irrelevant when it comes to predicting regular season outcomes.
Over the past few games, the White Sox offense has been firing on all cylinders.
Now that that’s out of the way, what should we think about the Southside’s offense these last two games?
What about this team?
First, the White Sox organization is loaded with mashers, speedsters, and hustlers. The farm system is stacked with athletes, ranking as the third best system in MLB. It stands to reason there is a surplus of those three traits. Anecdotally speaking, speed, power, and hustle translates to a formidable offense. More importantly, those traits often translate to wins.
When the cylinders all fire together
For example, the 2005 White Sox offense had sluggers Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Joe Crede, and Carl Everett accounting for 116 of the team’s 200 home runs. Almost anyone, at any point in the lineup, was a danger to go yard. The team was also third in the American League with 137 steals in ’05. Scott Podsednik‘s 59 lead the way. However, Aaron Rowand (16), Tadahito Iguchi (15), Pablo Ozuna (14), and Willie Harris (10) ensured opposing batteries never felt safe. Rowand, Juan Uribe, and perhaps most famously, AJ Pierzynski, all epitomized hustle. Yes, I mean when AJ stole first base.
Power, speed, and hustle do not guarantee success, or postseason berths, or championships. But, they certainly open the door for the possibility. The Texas Rangers of the late 2000s and early 2010s hit for average and power, but didn’t have much pitching support. It takes all pieces working together to win. However, a potent offense, especially on a rebuilding team, is a great place to start. Let’s take a look at what the White Sox offense has at both the major and minor league levels.