White Sox: This is how Pedro Grifol should set the lineup on Opening Day
The 2023 MLB regular season is inching closer and closer. The Chicago White Sox will kick off their season against the reigning World Series champions Houston Astros on Thursday.
It will be an exciting series, mainly because the White Sox will face the hometown hero from the last decade, Jose Abreu, who received a significantly large contract leading to his departure from the south side.
Pedro Grifol and his staff have high expectations for his team and Spring Training gave them their "good vibes" back. Grifol has also added a new way of playing competitive baseball, hopefully leading to success throughout the season.
When collectively healthy, the White Sox can have a dangerous starting lineup offensively and defensively. The core group of guys on the ball club must stay on the field for most of the season. If not, the south side could be getting a repeat of what happened in 2022.
This is how Pedro Grifol should set his starting lineup on Opening Day:
The top three in the Chicago White Sox batting order need to show up.
1. Tim Anderson
The Chicago White Sox plays through Tim Anderson and that is expected to be the same in 2023. When Anderson is on, the entire team is on.
Tim Anderson only played 79 games last season and it felt like his injury set the White Sox up for failure. If he plays over 140 games or so regularly, the White Sox will have a consistent bat at the top of the lineup card.
2. Luis Robert
Like many, Luis Robert Jr. has been caught up in the injury bug for most of his MLB career. This is a big year for him and if he can play a full-length season healthy, he is a guy who can put up MVP-caliber numbers.
Pedro Grifol is as high on him as the organization is, and Robert Jr. is ready to have a career year in Chicago. Tim Anderson and Luis Robert Jr., when both are right, can give the White Sox a bunch of runs early on in games which could be a huge factor in their success in 2023.
3. Andrew Benintendi
Fresh off signing his five-year 75 million dollar deal with the White Sox, Andrew Benintendi should give the White Sox a consistent bat, along with efficient outfield play, in 2023.
Benintendi was a 3.2 WAR player with the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees last year and had a .304 batting average. This was a must-needed signing for the White Sox and he should immediately make an impact in Houston.
The Chicago White Sox need the heart of their order to hit well in 2023.
4. Eloy Jimenez
Jimenez is a slugger that can make a good offensive lineup great but this is another guy that needs to stay healthy. Eloy hasn't had a full-length season of healthiness since the shortened season in 2020 when he received a Silver Slugger award for his success at the plate.
Jimenez played in 84 games last year and he ended with 16 home runs and 54 runs batted in. He is an elite hitter that should contribute an abundance of RBIs while healthy in the clean-up spot for the Chicago White Sox this year.
5. Andrew Vaughn
Andrew Vaughn has some big shoes to fill at the first base position and many think he will accomplish big things.
This is his first year playing his actual position daily which should give him a better opportunity to break out in the big leagues. Vaughn led this ball club in home runs and runs batted last season. Grifol believes even more success is coming for the California native.
6. Yoan Moncada
Yoan Moncada had a mostly terrible 2022 season. With multiple injuries affecting him, he never seemed comfortable at the plate.
Now, with an excellent World Baseball Classic on his resume, the White Sox are hoping all that momentum comes with him into the 2023 season.
Pedro Grifol is extremely high of the third baseman. Now Moncada needs to build a little bit of confidence for his own sake. When he is correct, it can give the White Sox a huge spark in the middle of the lineup.
The bottom of the order is going to be so important for the White Sox.
7. Yasmani Grandal
Yasmani Grandal is yet another guy who was banged up for an extended period during 2022. The catcher is in the last year of his contract with the White Sox and he is more than ready to bounce back personally and as a team.
Grandal led the 2021 ball club in on-base percentage and came in second for home runs but 2022 was the exact opposite.
The veteran never found his place last season and that is destined to change this season if he stays healthy.
The key for everyone in this White Sox lineup is to simply stay healthy. Grandal went through extended and high-volume workouts every day in the off-season and he feels like his legs are ready to go for 2023.
8. Oscar Colas
The rookie sensation has taken the White Sox spring training process by storm this year and he should be ready to go come Opening Day.
Colas is batted .258 with 3 home runs and 6 runs batted in during spring training and has solidified himself as a key player/factor to the 2023 White Sox roster. He has a work ethic like no other and while he may struggle early on, the south side may have a superstar emerging in the near future.
9. Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus resigned with the White Sox on a one-year deal after being an offensive threat during the late stages with the team last year.
Andrus is a veteran presence capable of playing solid baseball while also showing significant signs of leadership for the younger guys in the White Sox clubhouse. Whether his bat is hot or not, he will still have meaning on the White Sox roster in 2023.
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