Chicago White Sox 2021 Season Preview: Adam Engel
The Chicago White Sox have a few really good players that they expect to come off their bench. In order to win the division or even go deep in the playoffs, you need to be a very deep baseball team. The White Sox are trying to be that in 2021. Injuries are going to happen and having the right guys to step in is very important. It is also important to be deep in terms of game strategies as well. Adam Engel is perfect for that role at this point.
We used to see Engel as a player who was strictly there for his defense. He was an elite defender that couldn’t hit anything. Well, now his bat is really starting to shine and people are noticing. If his bat can be even slightly above average, he will make a great fourth outfielder for this team.
The White Sox signed Adam Eaton to be the right fielder during the offseason. There is no reason that he should even just be awarded that job based on his name. Engel is projected to be the fourth outfielder but he has a case to be the full-time right fielder. His ability to play all three outfield positions does make him a lot more versatile.
With Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, and Adam Eaton out there, they should be a really explosive bunch with their bats. Also, with the exception of Jimenez, they are all very good (or better) defensive fielders. If they all play to their strength in 2021, it is going to be a very fun group to watch.
Engel is probably one of the best-kept secrets in all of baseball. If another team comes in and sees him batting eighth in the lineup, he will look less threatening than all of the other studs around him. The fact that he is very dangerous, without most knowing it, makes it an even more potent lineup.
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2021 Expectations:
Expect Adam Engel to be a big part of the group. He can impact the team with his bat and glove which makes him incredibly impressive for a “bench player”. You also shouldn’t be surprised if he has the everyday right fielder job by the end of the year as well. He is also the opposite hand of Eaton so they could platoon them based on the pitching matchup as well. It is going to be interesting to watch for sure.
If spring training is any indication of what is going to happen, he is going to have a good year at the plate. He has been picking it up right where he left off during the 2020 MLB Postseason where he was awesome. Hopefully, he can be everything the White Sox need and more this year.