7. Andrew Vaughn/Gavin Sheets – DH
The Chicago White Sox needs to make sure they get production from the DH.
The Chicago White Sox has two young studs that they should have split the role of the designated hitter. There are a lot of good young players in the mix but Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets impressed the most amongst rookie hitters. They each demonstrated a lot of power on a regular basis.
The good news with these two is that they hit from opposite sides of the plate. They can be platooned as the team’s designated hitter based on the opposition’s starting pitcher. If a righty is n the mound, bat Sheets. If a lefty is on the mound, bat Vaughn. The team won’t be disappointed if they give each of them a lot of playing time.
Of course, a lot of games will see one or both of them in the field. However, neither of them will play first base over Jose Abreu with much regularity. The perfect (realistic) White Sox lineup has one of them in the role of the designated hitter.
Before last year, the DH was a major problem for the Sox. It is supposed to be a strength as an American League team to have someone whose job it is to just hit. Unless they are able to land someone significantly better, this is the way.