Chicago White Sox: 3 players who surprisingly stepped up big time

Good teams need to be 26-men deep. The Chicago White Sox certainly fit that description. They received contributions from up and down the lineup on their way to a 93-69 record and an American League Central Division title.

The season did not end the way they would have liked as they were embarrassed by the Houtson Astros during the ALDS. The team fell 10 wins short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series. However, this team should be applauded for the strides they made.

It is the first time the White Sox have made back-to-back postseasons in franchise history. They had four All-Stars in Carlos Rodon, Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks, and Tim Anderson. Rodon and Lynn will also be in the Cy Young conversation.

They also received contributions from rookies such as Yermin Mercedes, Andrew Vaughn, Jake Burger, Garrett Crochet, and Gavin Sheets. Luis Robert looks like he has taken the next step to becoming a superstar.

The Chicago White Sox needed help from everyone to win in the 2021 season.

Heading into the season, fans knew the White Sox roster was good. With established veterans such as Jose Abreu, Lance Lynn, Yasmani Grandal, Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada mixed in with young studs like Luis Robert, Dylan Cease, Micheal Kopech, the White Sox roster was stacked.

But there were also some surprising contributions from players who stepped up big time for the Chicago White Sox in 2021. Whether it was playing a position they were not used to, making an immediate impact, or coming out of nowhere to have a breakout season, these three players rose to the challenge: