Chicago White Sox: Three takeaways from Soxfest 2020

Next Step For Eloy Jimenez

Eloy Jimenez had an extremely successful rookie year. He did miss some time with injury and he still managed to have 31 home runs, 79 RBIs, and a .267 batting average. He came in fourth place in the voting for the American League Rookie of the Year. He had a huge helping hand in the White Sox taking the next step in 2019. He is going to be looking for a huge year n 2020.

The thing is, everyone believes that he will be even better this year. He has the potential to be one of the very best hitters in all of baseball. He just needs to stay healthy. One key to staying healthy is by making smart decisions when he is out in left field. He wasn’t all that great in the outfield in 2019 but he seems to be fairly confident that it will improve this year and beyond.

Someone asked Eloy at Soxfest if he would ever consider being a designated hitter. He used some explicative language to say no. He wants to be out there improving his play in the field to help the team. That is a respectable take on the whole thing as a fan. He wants to improve so let him try and improve. It can also be said that some guys just aren’t cut out to be a DH. Sometimes going out there defensively keeps your head in the game more. If it is better for Eloy’s mind at the plate to play defense then let him play defense.

The thing that makes his defense look suspect anyway is the tough plays. He isn’t so bad that he costs his team runs on a regular basis because he can’t make a routine play. All of these things will improve as time goes on. He also made it clear at Soxfest that he enjoys doing well against the Cubs because “You know why”. It is so much fun to have this guy on the team we cheer for.