8 bold predictions for the Chicago White Sox this season
Luis Robert Jr. is going to do something special this season.
The Chicago White Sox are not projected to win much this season.
Fangraphs projects the White Sox will win 67 games. PECOTA forecasts the Sox to win around 65 games and gives them a zero chance of making the playoffs. So much for that quick turnaround after losing 101 games in 2023.
But hey, it is Opening Day and there are always reasons to be optimistic on this day even if the Sox only have two players projected to finish with an fWAR over two.
It also means it is time to make some predictions. Since I am not forecasting how a stock will do or how to place a wager, who cares if I am wrong? So, let's be bold with these predictions.
1) Luis Robert Jr. will finish with a 40/40 season.
The White Sox' best player discussed during spring training that he wants to pursue hitting 40 dingers and stealing 40 bags. He can do it with his immense talent. Robert Jr. would have won the AL MVP last season had the Sox not lost over 100 games and Shohei Ohtani not played in the American League.
As long as he stays healthy, he will get this done.
2) Andrew Vaughn will make the All-Star team.
Vaughn will have a breakout season. He is projected to be more than just a replacement-level player this season. However, he is forecasted to go from 0.3 fWAR to 1.6. Fangraphs' projections have him finishing with a .263/.325/.453 slash line and 25 home runs. He is predicted to be an 8.1 fWAR offensive player.
He has improved his home run total the past two seasons by four. He might just be able to improve those numbers by a few dingers. If he is ripping hits, he has the talent to be an AL All-Star.
3) Eloy Jimenez will avoid a long IL stint and get traded at the deadline
Jimenez has only played over 100 games twice in his career. This is the final year of his guaranteed years on his contract. After that, it is two club options. It is in his best interest to stay in the lineup.
Maybe that is why Eloy had a monster spring training as he is hopefully focused on staying on the field and mashing home runs like he did during his rookie season. If he can do that, his trade value should be somewhat reclaimed and he will be moved to a contender in need of a power bat.
4) The starting rotation will not be as bad as everyone thinks.
The rotation lacks a true ace after Dylan Cease was traded during spring training. Garrett Crochet is now the Opening Day starter as a result. He is being converted to a starter after being a bullpen arm since the 2020 season. He has only thrown in 73 innings during his career.
That shows you how thin on talent the Sox rotation is.
However, Michael Soroka had a dominant 2019 season before injuries wiped away his 2021, 2022, and most of his 2023 season. Chris Flexen has had a couple of decent seasons in the big leagues. Maybe going to South Korea is just what Erick Fedde needed to revitalize his career.
Rookie Nick Nastrini will probably join the rotation on April 3rd when the Sox need a fifth starter. There is a good possibility this rotation will be terrible. At the same time, Crochet has dynamite stuff and could become a solid starter.
There is nothing to suggest Soroka cannot regain his dominant form if he can stay healthy. Flexen and Fredde just need to keep their ERA under 5.00. They have the stuff to do it. Plus, the defense should be much better to prevent a few extra runs from crossing home plate unlike last season.
Also, it is best to curse it as if Soroka and Flexen can be the solid starters they have in the past, that means they can be flipped at the deadline for something valuable.
5) Colson Montgomery will be the starting shortstop by the end of the season.
The Chicago White Sox' top prospect is starting the season at Triple-A Charlotte. It makes sense to get him some at-bats at that level since he missed a portion of his Double-A season last year with an injury.
Paul DeJong will keep the shortstop position warm until then. DeJong should upgrade the position defensively. Just do not expect him to hit much. He has some pop in his bat but he is far removed from his career-high 30 home runs he hit for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019.
Once he is struggling to hit .220, and the offense is in the dog days of summer, the Sox will inevitably call up Montgomery and he will assume his rightful spot as the Sox' starting shortstop.
6) Martin Maldonado will be designated for assignment
The veteran catcher was brought in for his ability to handle a pitching staff and play the defensive aspect of the position. He is not expected to hit much this year. Fangraphs projects him to hit just .184.
His defensive skills are already starting to erode and being an automatic out will eventually get him cut. Korey Lee is younger, less expensive, and will probably produce better (not by much) at the plate than Maldonado.
7) Dominic Fletcher will finally solve the eternal problem the Sox have had in right field.
Last year it was supposed to be Oscar Colas who would finally be the Sox' long-term answer in right field. He failed just like every other player the Southsiders have put out there. The Sox have been searching for a reliable, everyday right fielder since Jermaine Dye retired. That is 14 seasons running.
Fletcher might be nothing more than a replacement-level player but considering some of the disasters the Sox have put out in right, replacement-level is all they need right now.
8) Yoan Moncada will win a Gold Glove and play 140 games.
If Moncada wants to earn another $25 million next season, he needs to replicate his career season from 2019. Moncada, like Eloy, is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. The Sox have a club option for next season.
Moncada has missed a ton of time with injuries the past two seasons. If he stays on the field and hits like he did in 2019, then he has a good shot of getting that option exercised. Well, it is still possible it gets declined with how cheap ownership is.
Moncada has become an excellent fielding third baseman. If he is healthy, he has the ability to win a Gold Glove.
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