Projecting White Sox initial playoff roster as matchup uncertainty looms

In case you’ve been off the grid for the past few days, the Chicago White Sox are in the Postseason. With a couple games remaining of the regular season, their first round opponent and venue remain uncertain, but regardless, they’ll be playing Postseason baseball for the first time in five years. The roster sits at 28 as is allowed in September, but will have to be cut down to 26 prior to the first game of the Postseason. Here’s our projection for which 26 players will be active when Game 1 gets underway: 

Catchers (2): Kyle Teel, Jake Rogers 

The catcher position is pretty straightforward. Kyle Teel is the White Sox clear starting option, and he seems healthy and locked in for the final stretch. Aside from three separate injuries, it hasn’t been the best season for Teel at the dish, but he’s shown signs of life in September and represents the highest-upside offensive option the White Sox have. Jake Rogers is the current backup and will likely remain so for the playoffs. His veteran presence and history of hitting decently against left-handers give Will Venable some flexibility with the position. Edgar Quero and Drew Romo are also on the 40-man roster, but I don’t expect either of them to be activated for the Postseason unless an injury takes place. 

Infielders (4): Munetaka Murakami, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas

Another group that should be pretty straightforward, with the biggest omission being Luisangel Acuna. Acuna has been the primary backup at shortstop for the majority of the season, but the White Sox will need to cut a position player from their roster, and his role seems redundant. The team has Brenton Doyle as a late-game pinch runner that has more offensive upside than Acuna. Sam Antonacci’s flexibility gives the White Sox another option in the infield in the event of an injury or certain matchup. Chase Meidroth can play both middle infield positions, Colson Montgomery can play third base, and Miguel Vargas has spent some time at first, giving most of the group the flexibility to move around if necessary. Because of that, I think Acuna is the odd-man out. 

Outfielders (5): Sam Antonacci, Tristan Peters, Braden Montgomery, Randal Grichuk, Brenton Doyle

The White Sox have essentially run two separate outfields this season depending on the pitching matchup, and I don’t expect that to change in the playoffs. The group of Antonacci, Peters, and Montgomery will likely start against righties with Grichuk, Doyle, and Montgomery in the lineup against lefties. All five of those players have a definite role on this team for the Postseason and seem like locks to make the Postseason roster. 

Designated Hitters (2): Andrew Benintendi, Tommy Pham

In addition to a platoon in the outfield, the White Sox have effectively run a platoon in the DH spot for most of the season. Andrew Benintendi gets the starts against righties, and for most of the year, it was Grichuk getting the start against southpaws. The addition of Tommy Pham at the end of August allowed Grichuk to play more outfield and gave the White Sox another veteran DH option against lefties. I expect Pham and his veteran experience to make the roster, and he’s less likely to play the field than someone like Grichuk. It may not be efficient from a defensive standpoint, but having two options for a veteran DH could be important to the White Sox lineup. 

Starting Pitchers (4): Sean Burke, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Erick Fedde

The White Sox starting pitching staff has been a roller coaster ride all season, with arms like Sean Burke and Davis Martin putting together career-best seasons despite inconsistency at times. Most teams roll with a four-man rotation for the Postseason, so I expect Anthony Kay, who has Postseason experience pitching in Japan, and Erick Fedde, who has been one of the team’s most consistent starters since June, to fill the other two spots. Luis Castillo’s placement on the IL likely removes him from consideration, so the only other option for the White Sox here is David Sandlin. Sandlin has shown flashes of upside at times throughout the season and I think he’s worth considering for a roster spot, but his most likely fit is out of the bullpen. 

Relief Pitchers (9): David Sandlin, Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, Trevor Richards, Huascar Brazoban, Jordan Hicks, Bryan Hudson, Sean Newcomb, Grant Taylor 

If there’s any position that could see some interesting roster shuffling, I think it’s the bullpen. Grant Taylor, Sean Newcomb, Bryan Hudson, Jordan Hicks, and Hagen Smith seem like locks to make the playoff roster, and I’d guess Noah Schultz is in that group as well. That gives the White Sox three spots for Brazoban, Richards, Sandlin, Tyler Davis, Tyler Schweitzer, Chris Murphy. All of the aforementioned pitchers have contributed in the big leagues this season, but have struggled at times. I’m giving the edge here to Richards and Brazoban due to their status as veterans, and I believe the White Sox will try to prioritize length. David Sandlin’s improved arsenal has shown enough to justify his spot as a multi-inning guy. Don’t be surprised, however, if the final few spots in the White Sox bullpen look very different heading into the Postseason.

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