Chicago White Sox: Three players who have to wait beyond Opening Day
The Chicago Whtie Sox 26 man roster might see some studs have to wait to get their chance in 2020. That is not necessarily a bad thing for them.
The Chicago White Sox are one of those teams that have mixed expectations. Most people believe they will be improved from last year but as far as being a playoff team, everyone has a different opinion. The 2020 Opening Day roster preview is already out with 26 names that we project will be on the roster on Opening Day. With that, comes a few names that were left off.
Some people might not agree with some of the players that made it or didn’t make it but a lot will depend on how the second half of Spring Training goes. There are obviously going to be injuries, performances, and other variables during the season, so some of these names might be on the team in short order. You should expect the White Sox to have them in AAA at the start of the season if they do in fact miss the Opening Day roster.
Some of these guys are on this list because it is expected that they show up in AAA to get their feet wet after a big injury. Others are for lack of room or more experience in the minors. It is important for good teams to have depth in the organization. You can tell that the White Sox are there because some great players are going to be in the minors to start the season. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, these are the three players that are really good but might have to wait beyond Opening Day to see the MLB:
. 2B. Chicago White Sox. Nick Madrigal. 1. player. 128
The Chicago White Sox have given a few guys risky contract extensions before they ever played a single MLB game. Eloy Jimenez was one and it has clearly worked out. He hit 31 home runs in his rookie season and could explode for more in 2020. Luis Robert is one we are still waiting to see how it goes. All indications are that it is going to look like a very smart move for the White Sox. They did not, however, give Nick Madrigal the same treatment.
They didn’t see him as a guy who gets one of those risky contracts so he will in all likelihood start the season in AAA. They might have him develop some more down there and it could even be for service time as well. Either way, it is not that big of a deal for what we hope is the second baseman of the future. Madrigal is a real good hitter and is outstanding defensively. They have Leury Garcia at the Major League level to hold his spot down until he is ready.
Charlotte will start the year with him and it should help them get off to a good start. There is no reason for fans to be upset about this move because it will be good in the long run. Madrigal is going to be a really good player in short order.
Chicago White Sox. Michael Kopech. 2. player. 128. . SP
The Chicago White Sox have a lot of hope for Michael Kopech. He has the potential to be a front of the rotation pitcher. He has a fastball that moves in ways that only a few players on planet earth can get it to move. He has also shown the ability to reach triple digits on a regular basis. He made his Major League debut near the end of 2018 but Tommy John Surgery canceled the rest of that season and all of 2019.
It was devastating to Michael as he dealt with some tough times over his year absence. The good news for White Sox fans is that he is now in a good place both physically and mentally. He is ready to come in this year and be a part of things for a long time. With that said, it would only be smart for him to get his feet wet with the Charlotte Knights. He deserves the right to be back in the Majors when his stuff is at 100 percent.
If Kopech reaches his potential, then he will join a strong list of pitchers in this organization. He came to the White Sox with Yoan Moncada in the Chris Sale trade so if he hits, it will look like a really nice trade for both sides. If Kopech does, in fact, start in AAA, it shouldn’t be long before he gets up to the White Sox.
C. Chicago White Sox. Yermin Mercedes. 3. player. 128.
Not many players have been more fun to watch in Chicago White Sox Spring Training than Yermin Mercedes. He is yet another good catcher in the organization. He has taken the spring by storm and made a lot of fans believe he can be an impact player someday. It just doesn’t seem like there is a spot for him at the Major League level right now. They already have Yasmani Grandal, James McCann and Zack Collins likely making the team as natural catchers.
All three of those guys are also capable of being a third baseman or a designated hitter as well so that makes it hard to see Mercedes making the team right away. With that said, he should get an opportunity at some point during the season. He has been impressive during this Spring Training stretch which has been fun to watch.
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You can never have too many good players in the organization. Mercedes becoming an impact player would just be another good thing for the White Sox. You need as much depth as possible to be a playoff team in baseball so Mercedes might be able to provide a little bit of that someday. Hopefully, he does reach what looks like a pretty high ceiling.