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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 Luis Robert
(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Outfielders

  • Adam Eaton
  • Luis Robert
  • Eloy Jimenez
  • Leury Garcia
  • Adam Engel

The outfield has incredible potential but there is work to do. We know that Adam Eaton has proven he can be a good two-way outfielder in the past but he did not have a good year in 2020. It shouldn’t define him as a player but it is certainly a reason to take a step back and evaluate. He just as easily could come back to his old team and look somewhat like his old self which would be so great for this team’s chances. RF has been an issue for a while and it would be cool to see him fix it.

Luis Robert is a superstar. As of right now, people would say that Jose Abreu or Tim Anderson are the best position players on the squad but Robert might actually be the right answer. He was just a rookie last year so there was the typical rookie slump at the end but he has all the tools. He has the potential to be one of the best all-around baseball players in the world. We know he can hit baseballs to Pluto but he is also a Gold Glove-winning centerfielder. That is right, he won a Gold Glove as a rookie at a premier position (over Mike Trout).

Eloy Jimenez was one of the worst (and borderline funniest) defensive left fielders saw last season. It is laughable now because there is no way that it wasn’t addressed over the offseason. He doesn’t have to turn into Luis Robert out there but he just needs to be able to make routine plays regularly. We know he has an electric bat and could be an MVP based on that alone. A 40 home run, 100 RBI, .300 season could be on the horizon for him. He believes he can be an MVP and so do we. 

Leury Garcia and Adam Engel should be the two reserves in the outfield to start the year. Leury could also see some time in the infield based on how things go but for now, he is listed as an outfielder. Each of them could see time as a DH until Vaughn is ready. Engel specifically has a good chance to make an impact on this team offensively. He had some moments last year. Micker Adolfo and Blake Rutherford are prospects you could see get their chance at some point as well.

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