There is a 3B controversy brewing for the Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have had several issues this season. Among those issues is the declining performance of third baseman Yoan Moncada. Moncada has been playing rather poorly this season in limited action.

His problems at the plate are being overshadowed by the strong performances we are continually seeing from Jake Burger. Burger has been lighting it up as of late and is a big reason why the White Sox won the series versus the Tampa Bay Rays and are a bigger threat on offense.

The numbers are important but it’s also important to see what a player is doing on the field and in the clubhouse. In this case, the numbers don’t lie. Burger is clearly doing better than Moncada. Right now, Burger is slashing .245/.289/.434.

This coming in 106 at-bats in 31 games. Moncada, on the other hand, is slashing .135/.160/.230. That has been earned in 74 at-bats in 19 games. Advantage Burger.

Burger has shown his big-play ability and has single-handedly helped the White Sox win games. He’s on a hot streak right now and this is important for the White Sox.

The Chicago White Sox have two layers that could help them at third base.

So, the choice of who should be up (in the Majors) and starting daily is simple. The Sox cannot afford to let Burger sit down or head back to the Minors. He needs to be up in the Majors playing consistently and often.

For Moncada, perhaps his missing the start of the season with a strained oblique has caused him to struggle at the plate so far this season. Maybe, more time in the Minors would help him get his swing back, sharpen his eye, and get him back to being the Moncada that we are used to.

Until then, as long as Burger is hot he needs to be in the lineup and needs to be starting. He can play at third and he can be the DH. The team hasn’t tried him out at any other position. Some might think that a solution to this is to start Burger at DH and leave Moncada at third and allow him to hit.

But “hit” is the key word here. Moncada is not hitting anything close to what most of the others in the lineup are hitting right now. He doesn’t need to be taking up a spot that someone that is hitting better should be taking.

Simply put, it’s time to keep Burger at third base and in the lineup. This team needs to win and win now and Burger gives them the best chance of doing that at this very moment.