MLBPA nominates two Chicago White Sox players for awards

The Chicago White Sox had a much better season in 2019 but they still weren’t a playoff team but the future is bright and the MLBPA recognizes it.

The Major League Baseball Players Association recognized that the Chicago White Sox took another step in their rebuild in 2019 and they are recognizing two of the players that are partially responsible for that. There are a lot of guys who did that of course, but two in particular fit in two specific categories that can earn awards and for good reason, they are nominated.

Eloy Jimenez was nominated for the most outstanding rookie and Lucas Giolito is nominated for the comeback player of the year. Both of them are for the American League and have represented the White Sox well across baseball. They are both going up against very deserving candidates but they both also have a compelling case to win their respective awards. There is no doubt that they will get some serious consideration.

Jimenez was one of the best hitters in the White Sox lineup and is easily one of the best young hitters in all of baseball. He slashed .267/.315/.513 which started off much worse but got progressively better as he started to figure it out throughout the season. It is something that tells us that once he comes in in 2020, he will be well served coming in knowing exactly what to expect. He hit 31 home runs and had 79 RBIs. That is also all with two extended stints on the injured list, so in a full season, you can expect big numbers for him.

Giolito’s season was measured by how great of an improvement it was over the year before. He was statistically the worst pitcher in all of Major League Baseball last season. In 2019, he came in and resembled the likes of an ace, especially in the first half of the season. It was a remarkable turnaround that led to him being an American League All-Star. If he can keep it up into next season, he will be joined by the likes of Michael Kopech, Carlos Rodon, and perhaps a free agent starter that should make up a great staff. It was great to see him develop into the pitcher his prospect status suggested he would become.

It is no guarantee that either of them will win their award but they certainly have a great chance. They are definitely deserving of being recognized at the very least. This is only the beginning of what is to come as far as White Sox players being recognized for their truly great play.