Chicago White Sox 2021 Season Preview: Danny Mendick
The Chicago White Sox finally have some depth on their bench. Their starters are unreal but you always need some backup in a 162 game season. Danny Mendick is one of those depth pieces that can help the White Sox win games. He isn’t going to be an everyday starter but people can be confident in him when his name is called. He was very good in 2020 and showed that he has a place low on the depth chart of a championship team.
Danny Mendick is going to have a good role with the Chicago White Sox in 2021.
Mendick was nominated for a Gold Glove in 2020 with very limited playing time. That goes to show you how good he was in his limited role because the writers thought that highly of him. He is going into 2021 with expectations as a bench player. He should see some time at every infield position except first base. It will all depend on the situation of any given day.
In 2020, he hit .243/.281/.348 with three home runs, six RBIs, and 11 runs scored. All of this came in 26 games played during the short 60 game season. Those aren’t the best offensive numbers but they are good enough when you think about what he brings on the defensive side of things. He isn’t doing the best at the plate in spring training either but that isn’t his game.
He should be able to hit well enough to complement his elite defense in 2021 on days his name is called. If there is an injury or someone simply needs a day off, Mendick will be there. Who knows, his offensive game could even develop a little bit similar to Adam Engel. As long as the White Sox get what they need from him on the defensive side of things, he is worth having on the roster.
He becomes even more valuable while Engel is out with his little injury because Leury Garcia slips into the “fourth outfielder” role. Garcia is mostly a utility guy that can play everything but Mendick will mostly handle the infield.
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2021 Expectations:
Don’t expect Mendick to become a difference-maker offensively this season. If it ever happens that will be nice but nobody should be expecting it. They should, however, expect some Gold Glove level defense when he plays. He will get plenty of starts, especially when a ground ball producer like Dallas Keuchel is on the mound.
Late in a game down a run is also a premier time to use someone like Danny Mendick. The White Sox expect to win a lot of games that they enter the ninth with a lead and Mendick’s defensive game is a big part of it. Hopefully, he is able to build on his good 2020 season.