The Chicago White Sox chances of winning in 2020 depend on their depth.
The Chicago White Sox will enter the 2020 season, when and if it ever begins, with a very competitive team.
It is very easy to envision a lineup including the likes of Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, Yasmani Grandal, Eloy Jimenez, and Jose Abreu having success in 2020.
However, the real test could come if the team deals with any sort of injury or regression, forcing the Chicago White Sox to turn to other options instead.
The organization’s depth isn’t as phenomenal, but neither are most team’s second and third options.
Zack Collins, Leury Garcia, Adam Engel, Nick Madrigal, Danny Mendick, Nicky Delmonico, Yermin Mercedes, Michael Kopech, and Carlos Rodon will likely prove to be the most pivotal depth players in the organization this season.
Engel, Garcia, and Mendick are the only three on the list that were likely destined to be playing in the South Side as part of the Opening Day 26-man roster in late March.
Things have now changed dramatically, though, with discussions of a 30-man roster and 20-man taxi squads giving top prospects like Madrigal and Kopech chances to make the team and contribute.
If that happens, it would be at the expense of minor league games in 2020, which could also deeply stunt both players’ development.
The team definitely does have enough depth when adding in all of the options previously mentioned, but the bigger question might be whether or not that depth is going to be ready to step in right away.
A potential year with minor league baseball will leave anyone that isn’t consistently active for the Chicago White Sox stuck playing in scrimmages.
For pitchers like Kopech and Rodon, who are returning from Tommy John Surgery, this could prove detrimental as they both really needed game action to complete their rehab.
Sure, simulated games could be an option for them to re-adjust to pitching at the professional level, but their inability to pitch in real minor league games before returning to the majors could hurt.
But, if the Chicago White Sox can keep their depth pieces fresh, they could very well have enough to withstand the 2020 season.