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White Sox: An early 26 man Opening Day 2021 roster prediction

By Vincent Parise

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 12: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his solo home run against the Detroit Tigers with Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park on August 12, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 12: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his solo home run against the Detroit Tigers with Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park on August 12, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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Chicago White Sox Tim Anderson
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

Infielders

  • Jose Abreu
  • Nick Madrigal
  • Tim Anderson
  • Yoan Moncada
  • Danny Mendick

The Chicago White Sox has the potential to run out the best infield in Major League Baseball. Jose Abreu will be the first baseman after winning the American League MVP in 2020. His offensive numbers were through the roof and his defense seems to be getting better with age. He is one of the best first baseman (and hitters in general) going right now so having him out there is already an advantage.

Nick Madrigal is still rehabbing from an offseason surgery but he seems to be on track to be ready. Projecting him to be on the Opening Day roster may be risky but he seems like he has the spunk to do so. This is a guy who may hit less than five home runs a season but he will be one of your team leaders in batting average thanks to a bunch of singles and he will play great defense.

Tim Anderson is, like Abreu, going to be an MVP candidate once again. He is one of the best hitters in the league and had a top-ten finish for the award last season as well. His game on the defensive side is also improving drastically so he is going to be looked at as one of the best shortstops in the game. On top of all that, he is the vocal leader on this team and the face of the franchise.

This is one great infield as is and then you think about Yoan Moncada. Moncada has the potential to be the best player on this team and pretty much was in 2019. A bad COVID-19 experience hurt his offensive production in 2020 but he was still a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman. If he has a bounce-back year at the plate, he will round out one of the best infield units in all of baseball.

Andrew Vaughn was left off because he doesn’t have that pre-career contract extension like Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert had. The pandemic probably has a lot to do with that because we weren’t able to see him soar up the ranks last year. Danny Mendick is in as the utility infielder and part-time DH but expect to see Vaughn up at some point. As of right now, it is just hard to have him on the Opening Day roster for that reason.

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