The long offseason is officially over for the Chicago White Sox and the rest of the MLB. Spring training is finally going to start on Sunday for Chicago. Preseason baseball may not seem all that exciting and in most years you can argue that it isn’t. However, the shortened season in 2020 and the overall excitement level about this year’s Chicago White Sox team make it a welcome viewing experience.
The best thing about the preseason in any sport is the chance to see guys who may not get much playing time otherwise. The White Sox have quite a few young pieces on the team currently and they also have players to look forward to in the near future as well. So while the level of play on the field may not be the most exciting thing to watch, let’s look at some key players to keep an eye on during spring training:
Player #1: Yermin Mercedes
Yermin Mercedes only played in one game in 2020 where he received one total at-bat. Going into the season Mercedes became somewhat of a fan-favorite despite not receiving playing time. His thick frame can allow for some impressive power which he hasn’t been able to show at the big league level yet.
Mercedes also has a great story and reaching this point could be seen as improbable. He wasn’t drafted but signed with the Nationals as an amateur all the way back in 2011. He’s worked his way through the minors, foreign, and winter leagues to get where he’s at.
The White Sox have him listed as a catcher but don’t expect him to play much at catcher during the regular season unless there are injuries. However, Mercedes can certainly serve as a DH or pinch-hitter on occasion.