Chicago White Sox: 2022 player grade for Lance Lynn

2022 didn't go according to plan for almost anyone involved with the Chicago White Sox but that is especially true for a guy like Lance Lynn.

After coming in third place for the American League Cy Young Award in 2021, he began this year on the injured list for the White Sox.

When he came back, it took him a long time to get things going. He struggled out of the gate but then he started to find his stuff down the stretch. Things might have been different for the White Sox if he started the year with no injury.

Lynn finished the year with a 3.99 ERA and an 8-7 record. Both of those stats are great considering his start. He also showed that his stuff is still on point as he had 124 strikeouts over 121.2 innings pitched.

Following a year like that, there are question marks about what he might be able to do in the future with this team. The hope is that we see the best version of Lynn again in 2023 which is certainly possible. We know that he can be a top flight pitcher when healthy. He was up and down in 2022.

Final Grade: C

The Chicago White Sox are lucky to have a starter like Lance Lynn.

Lance Lynn gets a C because he was good more often than not. The offense didn't give anyone enough run support but Lynn felt it as bad as anyone.

Some people angry at the White Sox in general might think that Lynn deserves a worse grade but that just isn't true. He pitched just fine for the situation that he was in. We can only hope that he stays mostly healthy in 2023 because that will be the key to him pitching well all season long.

Lynn doesn't have to come into this season trying to be an ace either which may help him. Dylan Cease was the second place finisher for the Cy Young Award in 2022 so he is the sure fire ace.

Other guys like Mike Clevinger and Lucas Giolito are looking for actual "bounce back" years in 2023 as well so it isn't just Lynn trying to stay healthy. If all of them can come in strong for the 2023 season, the White Sox have a chance to have a really good rotation. Lynn will be a big part of it all.