3 Chicago White Sox players that could be All-Stars in 2022
Last season, the Chicago White Sox had four players make the All-Star Game and if things go according to plan this season (if there is a season) there could be several new players making it to the mid-summer classic.
Tim Anderson was the only position player to make the American League squad in 2021 while Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks, and Carlos Rodon all were added to the pitching staff. Anderson’s return to the game could be tough with the likes of Xander Bogaerts and Bo Bichette also at the position in the AL.
Lynn made his second All-Star team and did so while putting together one of the best seasons of his career, recording his lowest ERA at 2.69 and fewest walks with only 45 in 157 innings.
Hendriks was the top closer in baseball and took home the American League Reliever of the Year Award for the second consecutive season. Rodon put together his best season heading into free agency which included a no-hitter against Cleveland.
Lucas Giolito, Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, and Craig Kimbrel have been All-Stars during their careers so the White Sox have a number of players who are capable of making a return trip to the game. However, there are a couple of players to keep an eye on who are capable of making their first appearances.
The Chicago White Sox could have some first-time MLB All-Stars in 2022.
Many different players put up some good numbers last season and will be counted on to make major contributions to the club this season. If each lives up to their potential, there could be a few making plans for Dodger Stadium in July:
Next. Luis Robert. dark
Luis Robert
Luis Robert could be one of the best players in Chicago White Sox history.
Luis Robert spent a good amount of time on the disabled list in 2021 when he suffered a right hip flexor injury that limited him to only 68 games. However, Robert made the most of the limited opportunities he had during those games.
Robert put together a slash line of .338/.378/.567 to go along with 13 homers and 43 RBI. Even in the shortened playing time, he amassed a WAR of 3.6.
Since making his major league debut in 2020, Robert has played in 124 games. During that period he has belted 24 homers, driven in 74 runs, hit 24 doubles, and stolen 15 bases. While having put up a .294 BA, his free-swinging has also earned him 134 strikeouts.
He has also shown up well in the postseason. In the two series against Oakland and Houston, Robert had a combined .393 BA, recording 11 hits in 28 at-bats with one homer.
According to Baseball-Reference, Robert’s 162 game average projects out to 31 homers, 97 RBI, .294 BA, and 20 steals. Those types of numbers are pretty solid and certainly worthy of being in the conversation for all-star.
In Robert, the White Sox feel they have a player who has the talent to be an MVP in the league. To show their faith in him, the team signed Robert to a six-year, $50 million contract in 2020.
Next. Yoan Moncada. dark
Yoan Moncada
Yoan Moncada making his ASG debut would be great for the Chicago White Sox.
When the White Sox dealt pitcher Chris Sale to Boston back in 2016, Yoan Moncada was considered a talent who could one day challenge for league MVP. He was viewed as the key for the White Sox in the deal and was rated the number one prospect at the time by MLBPipeline.
General Manager Rick Hahn raved about Moncada’s ability and his future with the club but to this point, he hasn’t lived up to that billing. Moncada started off playing second base but has moved over to third base where he has spent the last three years.
Despite leading the league in errors with 16 in 2021, Moncada has played some solid defense at third base. He was fifth in the AL in assists (236) and fielding percentage (.953).
Offensively though, is where much of the criticism about his game lies. He was third in the league in on-base percentage (.375), but his power has been lacking as he hit only 14 homers in 2021 and has eclipsed 20 home runs only once in his career when he hit 25 in 2019.
Moncada hit a career-high .315 three years ago but has not gotten near that since. His .263 a year ago was respectable but he has yet to reach his ceiling that many thought he was capable of hitting.
So, why would he be thought of as being an All-Star this year when the likes of Jose Ramirez and Rafael Devers have been more potent offensive threats? This will be his fifth full season in the majors and the hope is he will find his stride during this peak time of his career.
The team is in win-now mode and if Moncada can provide power behind Anderson in the lineup, the Sox might be able to play deep into October.
Next. Dylan Cease. dark
Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease has the potential to be an All-Star Chicago White Sox pitcher.
Dylan Cease has always been thought of as having electric stuff on the mound and he showed what he is capable of last year as he put together his finest season to date.
There’s a saying that says, “a player’s best ability is his availability” and Cease lived up to that by leading the league in starts with 32. He tossed 165.2 innings which marked the largest workload of his career.
Not only was he durable but he was productive. Cease was fifth in wins with 13, third in strikeouts at 226, but was first in strikeouts per nine innings at just over 12. His 3.91 ERA was certainly good for his first normal season.
With Rodon being a free agent and Dallas Keuchel looking to rebound from a poor 2001, Cease could be the number three starter unless the team makes a move to bring in another front-line starter. At 26 years of age, Cease is coming into the prime of his career and looks to take another step under the tutelage of pitching coach Ethan Katz.
Last spring, catcher Yasmani Grandal heaped praise on Cease and his potential.
“This guy could be a Cy Young finalist. He could possibly be a Cy Young winner, ” he said. “He’s got the tools to do it, there’s no doubt about that. Now it just comes down to the process. The future is only going to dictate whether we can get him to be what we want him to be or not. “
It is obvious Grandal saw something in Cease, and the Sox hope this is the year he makes that prediction come true.