Chicago White Sox: Adam Engel has been activated from IL

We are getting closer and closer to the Chicago White Sox being ready for the 2021 MLB postseason. They go into Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers with a magic number of two. They want to be as healthy as possible when the first playoff game starts and they took a step towards that on Tuesday. The White Sox activated Adam Engel off of the injured list and sent Romy Gonzalez down to AAA Charlotte.

First, let’s talk about Romy. Nobody expected him to be one of the September call-ups but it was well deserved. He was impactful at times in his short MLB stint. He needs to go down to AAA, keep working on his craft, and he has a chance to make it back up again. This White Sox team has World Series aspirations so there is no room for him on this roster right now but his future may be bright.

Engel has turned into a really nice five-tool player. He can hit for both power and contact, run, play defense, and throw. Not many players are literally good at everything but Engel is. When he first came into the big leagues, he was identified as an elite defender that can’t hit. Well, now he can hit very well so getting him back is a very good thing.

In his first game back, he is playing right field and batting eighth. When a hitter this good is batting eight, you know your lineup is deep. He may take a game or two to get back to MLB speed but he needs to worry about his physical health in the meantime. He hasn’t played much this season due to injuries so now is the time to figure out how to stay on the field.

Adam Engel adds so much depth to the Chicago White Sox batting lineup.

With Engel in the lower part of the lineup, it is just that much more dangerous. He joins a lineup that is being used the right way for the first time in a while. Ahead of him in the lineup are guys like Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert.

Going into this game, the White Sox are 3-0 in games with all six of them in the lineup. The fact that it has only been three times is crazy. Adding Engel in as a “depth” piece makes it even better. He also helps create an elite defensive outfield with Luis Robert. Eloy Jimenez is below average in left field but if they make a replacement late in a game that they lead late, it is very good defensively. Hopefully, Engel’s return sparks a big playoff run in October.