3 biggest Chicago White Sox weaknesses going into 2022
The 2022 season is underway. The Chicago White Sox embark on the 162-game campaign with championship aspirations. They dominated the American League Central last year, winning the division by 13 games. Few teams can match their potential star power heading into 2022.
The White Sox has a young exciting core made up of Lucas Giolito, Tim Anderson, Luis Robert, Yoan Moncada, Micheal Kopech, Dylan Cease, and Andrew Vaughn. They are going to be paired with a handful of battle-tested veterans such as Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, Liam Hendriks, Lance Lynn, and Dallas Keuchel.
Some fresh faces will also be looking to make an impact. Former MLB All-Star Josh Harrison will take over the duties at second base while AJ Pollock figures to get the bulk of the time in right field.
The bullpen is also much improved. They added Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly to a bullpen that already features one of the best relievers in baseball in Liam Hendriks and one of the most underrated relievers in Aaron Bummer.
The Chicago White Sox have some weaknesses on their roster as good as it is.
This is not a team without flaws. The Houston Astros exposed a lot of them when they steamrolled the White Sox in the ALDS. The White Sox defense needed to be tightened up. Adding AJ Pollock in right field and a full season of Luis Robert should help with that. The White Sox also allowed a ton of stolen bases.
By trading for Reese McGuire, the White Sox got a guy that threw out 35 percent of would-be base stealers last season. That is a significant upgrade over Zack Collin’s 17 percent mark last season.
Even with these additions the White Sox still have some flaws. Some of them are correctable others are just bad luck. Here are the three biggest weaknesses for the 2022 season:
Health
The Chicago White Sox needs to stay much healthier during the 2022 season.
Injuries happen. It’s part of the game. But the White Sox have taken on more of their fair share. Last season Eloy Jimenez, and Adam Engel got injured before the season even started. During the season Luis Robert, Yasmani Grandal, and Micheal Kopech all missed time.
The injury bug has carried over to 2022. Before the first pitch of the new season was even thrown the White Sox lost Garrett Crochet for the season because of Tommy John surgery. Loing Crochet cost the White Sox an effective left hander out of the bullpen that can eat multiple innings.
They will also be without Lance Lynn for at least two months after he tore a ligament near his knee during a Cactus League start against the Reds. A few days later, Yoan Moncada tweaked a side muscle in a Cactus League game against the Padres.
It was ruled a Grade 1 oblique strain that will cost him the first three weeks of the season. The White Sox also announced that Ryan Burr, Joe Kelly, and Yermin Mercedes will all start the season on the 10-day IL.
For whatever reason, this team cannot stay healthy. They may never be at full strength. The American League Central is much improved. The South Siders will not have a cakewalk to the playoffs like they did last season. If they take on the number of injuries they did last season, it could be a problem.
Farm System
The Chicago White Sox are going to continue trying to improve their farm system.
The Chicago White Sox farm system is one of the worst in baseball. All of the White Sox prospects have graduated to the MLB level so a once deep talent pool has now been deleted.
This of course was all part of the plan when Rick Hahn was selling off assets to build one of the best farm systems in baseball. The end goal was for them to all get called up and make the White Sox a contender.
However, given the White Sox injury problems, the lack of prospects is now a major weakness for the organization. If someone gets hurt, they have no reinforcements to call up to replace them. Last year the White Sox had Jake Burger and Gavin Sheets when they needed help but now they too are on the big league club.
The White Sox farm system already proved to be a weakness this offseason. Rick Hahn had the White Sox in the running for Sean Manaea but he was outbid by the San Diego Padres. They simply had more to offer. If the White Sox need to make an impactful addition at the trade deadline, it may be tough for them given the lack of quality prospects in their farm system.
Back End Of The Rotation
The Chicago White Sox needs all of their pitchers to play well in 2022.
After losing Carlos Rodon in free agency and Lance Lynn to injury, the White Sox rotation suddenly looks vulnerable. Lucas Giolito figures to be his usual reliable self. Dylan Cease is talented but still needs to take another step to become an elite pitcher.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the rotation is a huge question mark. Micheal Kopech is as talented as they come. But this will be his first time as a full-time starter so it is not fair to place huge expectations on him.
Dallas Keuchel was abysmal last season. It was so bad that the White Sox left him off the playoff roster. This came just one year removed from a 1.99 ERA in 2020. Time will tell if the former Cy-Young winner can bounce back in 2022.
Reynaldo Lopez figures to get the fifth starter duties to start the year. He was solid last season but he has been very inconsistent the past several seasons. In 2021, he started the year in Triple-A Charlotte.
Rick Hahn did add Johnny Cueto in an attempt to bolster the rotation in Lynn’s absence. Cueto is a solid veteran pitcher but he is not the dominating force he once was. He will start the season in Triple-A to tune-up before making his White Sox debut.
With a roster ready to contend for a World Series, it’s not good to this many have uncertainties. The rotation could wind up being a strength of the team. But there are way too many questions to say for sure.
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