Chicago White Sox: Three players making case for roster spot

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The Chicago White Sox will have some interesting decisions to make for their Opening Day roster in a few weeks. Here are three players that have made a good first impression in spring training.

Spring training always brings about surprises, both good and bad, for every organization in baseball and that includes the Chicago White Sox.

So far, the team is 5-3 this spring and has shown an impressive ability to battle in games.

Roster spots are always up for grabs, though, which is something to pay attention to in camp.

Some players give the organization reasons to not make the team, which top prospect Nick Madrigal might be doing so far, while others make a strong push to force the team to stop ignoring them.

None of these players being mentioned are ones that have great chances of making the Opening Day roster already, which eliminates someone like Luis Robert, who has been nothing short of exceptional and is a treat to watch play the game.

Rather, the players in this slideshow are those who weren’t necessarily on the team’s radar that could be mounting cases to start their season with the Chicago White Sox.

Here are three players impressing in spring training early on that, if they maintain their production, could find themselves starting the year on the South Side.

1. Nicky Delmonico

The 27-year-old outfielder has had a scorching hot start to his spring as he’s 5-for-15 (.333) with three doubles and RBI so far.

Nicky Delmonico, 27, had a major issue with strikeouts in 2019 as he had a 36.8% strikeout rate over 21 games at the major league level (FanGraphs).

While that was a small sample size, it was enough to make the White Sox release him in June.

So far, Delmonico hasn’t been striking out a high rate at all, though, as he has two strikeouts in 18 plate appearances.

The left-handed hitter actually has more walks (three) than he does strikeouts early on, which could actually be a sign of major improvement for him.

It certainly is far from a given that he can translate that success over into the regular season given the fact he had a 128 wRC+ in 17 minor league games before registering an abysmal 49 wRC+ for the White Sox.

However, through the first week, Delmonico has shown some improvement which certainly puts him on the map with regards to his chances of making the team.

If they were to add him to the Opening Day roster, it would likely be as the team’s fifth outfielder/pinch-hitter if Leury Garcia becomes the team’s second baseman to start the season, which looks pretty likely right now.

That would also require the team to either option Danny Mendick or carry four bench players to start the season.

It would be hard for him to make the team out of spring training, but he could serve as insurance in case of injury.

2. Cheslor Cuthbert

The corner infielder had spent parts of the last five years with the Kansas City Royals before being non-tendered after the 2019 season.

Last season, Cheslor Cuthbert hit .246/.294/.379 with nine homers, 40 RBI, and a 74 wRC+ to give himself a -0.8 fWAR (FanGraphs).

That certainly was less than satisfactory, especially when paired with his lackluster defense at the hot corner in which he had -5 DRS and a -5.3 UZR over 319 1/3 innings.

However, he’s had a pretty good spring training early on as he’s 4-for-13 (.308) with one homer, one double, and two RBI which gives him a 1.142 OPS.

In order to make the team, Cuthbert would have to prove he’s a better utility infield option that Mendick, with Garcia also needing to win the starting second base job in this scenario.

If that doesn’t happen, the 27-year-old is likely destined to begin his season in Triple-A Charlotte as insurance in case of any injuries to infielders this season.

Cuthbert has a good chance of joining the White Sox at some point this season, but his case to start the season in Chicago isn’t too strong at the moment. That could all change with a great spring, though.

3. Yermin Mercedes

This is definitely going to be one of the most fascinating cases to watch this spring training with the catcher position already being a hot topic.

Yermin Mercedes, 27, has been super impressive so far as he’s 6-for-13 (.462) with two home runs, one double, and six RBI.

That has put him in the conversation to make the team despite not having registered a plate appearance above Triple-A Charlotte, where he hit .310/.386/.647 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, and a 150 wRC+ over 53 games in 2019 (FanGraphs).

While he’s only been used as a catcher in spring training, Mercedes actually has experience playing third base, first base, and both corner outfield spots throughout his minor league career.

Mercedes, 27, is an extremely interesting choice for a roster spot in 2020 because of that.

The backup catcher debate has been a hot topic in spring training despite having James McCann behind Yasmani Grandal at the moment.

I recently argued why McCann should not simply be handed the backup catcher role and Mercedes was part of that equation.

Even if he is handed it, Mercedes could still make the team because of his versatility, which could be very useful on what could very well be a four-man bench, at best.

A three-man bench would be in order if the team were to use their 26th roster spot on an eighth reliever.

Next. Michael Kopech Progressing Well. dark

Of the three players mentioned in this article, Mercedes certainly is the most intriguing option for the Chicago White Sox in 2020.

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The Chicago White Sox will have some interesting decisions to make for their Opening Day roster in a few weeks. Here are three players that have made a good first impression in spring training.

1. Nicky Delmonico

2. Cheslor Cuthbert

3. Yermin Mercedes

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