Chicago White Sox

Draft History
2018
Nick Demonico
22 - Eric Sogard
90 - Jaycob Brugman
120 - Nick Goody
150 - Austin Bibens-Dirkx

2017
Tim Anderson - protection
29 - Mike Clevinger
36 - Cheslor Cuthbert
88 - Buddy Bosher
101 - Adalberto Mejia
124 - Eric Fryer

2016
Carlos Rodon - protection
28 - Franklin Gutierrez
47 - Luis Avilan
58 - Daniel Castro
150 - Adam Liberatore

2015
Jose Abreu - protection
45 - Zach Duke
69 - James McCann
70 Yorman Rodriguez
90 - Cam Bedrosian

2014
Erik Johnson - protection
18 - Christian Bethancourt
79 - Kevin Kiermaier
81 - Andrew Lambo
94 - Jesse Chaves
143 - Brian Flynn

2013
Jose Quintana - protection
36 - Pedro Ciriaco
57 - Kevin Frandsen

2012
Zach Stewart - protection
2 - Mike Moustakas
21 - Ryan Lavarnway
54 - Trayvon Robinson
62 - Eric Surkamp
82 - Wade Miley
141 - Brandon Gomes

2011
Chris Sale - protection
1 - Desmond Jennings
21 - Drew Storen
43 - Alex Sanabia
74 - Tyson Ross
75 - Mark Trumbo
134 - Joe Mather

2010
Gordon Beckham - protection
13 - Tyler Flowers
35 - Juan Francisco
36 - Carlos Carrasco
64 - Daniel McCutchen
114 - Jesse Chavez

2009
Alexei Ramirez - protection
37 - Gregor Blanco
55 - Conor Gillispie
115 - Jose Veras
145 - Warner Madrigal

2008
John Danks - protection
11 - Akinori Iwamura
59 - Justin Hampson
71 - Nate Schierholtz
86 - Eric Patterson
101 - Al Reyes
149 - Rob Johnson

2007
Josh Fields - protection
38 - Kendry Morales
45 - Alfredo Amezaga
105 - John Koronka
135 - Emiliano Fruto
138 - Jordan Tata

2006
Brandon McCarthy - protection
10 - Jonathan Papelbon
57 - Jeff Baker
99 - Brayan Pena
114 - Matt Belisle
130 - Shaun Marcum

2005
Shingo Takatsu - protection
43 - Nick Green
69 - Jason Grabowski
73 - Tomas Perez
82 - Jason Smith
103 - Kit Pellow

133 - Adam Peterson

2004
Neal Cotts - protection
19 - Darren Oliver
49 - Rheal Cormier
79 - Donnie Sadler
106 - Mendy Lopez
109 - Jose Molina
139 - Scott Elarton

2003
Jon Rauch - protection
23 - Chris Woodward
53 - Justin Miller
83 - Pete Walker
113 - Travis Harper
143 - Chris Widger

2002
Rocky Biddle - protection
51 - Junior Spivey
81 - Edwards Guzman
98 - Ryan Franklin
111 - Bobby Seay
141 - Jason Middlebrook

2001
19 - Felix Martinez
49 - Scott Sheldon
79 - Buddy Groom
109 - Santiago Perez
139 - Nelson Figueroa

Chicago White Sox

2017: 95-67, 2nd in AL Central, World Series Champions, Draft Position: 30

Overall: They won the World Series so things cannot be going that badly. It does not appear that they have sacrificed that much of their future to get there (although they do not pick until 65 in the draft this year). Thanks to contributions from last year’s territorial Tim Anderson and first round draft pick Mike Clevinger, they come into this season without a need to fill except, perhaps, helping out Kevin Kiermaier in center.

The problem, though, is the offense is aging. Ian Kinsler, Melky Cabrera, Seth Smith and Edwin Encarnacion are all well over 30. Jose Abreu, Mike Moustakas and Alex Avila are at 29-30. That could come apart quickly. If it does, this team will have to go into a rebuilding phase no matter how good the rotation is. What can the team do to prevent this? It is hard to say. The pitching is too good to tear down now. But they may want to see if they can make some moves to get younger. Or not and when the fall happens to start again.

Regardless, I guess, this team is about Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Carrasco and Robert Osuna. That group can win any playoff series. It is just want can this team do to improve its chances.

Starting Rotation: As alluded to above, Carrasco and Quintana would be among the best 1-2 starters in the league. But they are not 1-2 starters because the #1 starter is Chris Sale who is ridiculous. Then after that, Clevinger, Erasmo Ramirez and Carlos Rondon could win many many games in the 4-5 spots as they outclass most other 4-5 starters in the league. The rotation is nasty.

Bullpen: Osuna is a fine closer even if he is not necessarily tough in the jam. The White Sox have a second closer in AJ Ramos but he walks many. But he is tough in the jam. So I guess they could start the inning with Osuna and if he lets a guy get to scoring position, they could bring in Ramos. In fact, I am now hoping that is what the instruction sheet says.

The White Sox could use a solid set-up 8th inning guy. Cam Bedrosian is decent but maybe walks too many rhb. Luis Avilan and Dan Otero could contribute and this team has a solid bullpen if the team were playing face to face. But in terms of the instruction sheet, they could use a more versatile guy.

Of course, this assumes the team ever needs a bullpen which it may not.

Starting Lineup: Offensively, the line-up still has a good deal of power. 8 of the 9 everyday starters versus rhp has good or excellent power. That, one would think, could score enough runs. In terms of getting on base consistently, however, the strength of the club is Edwin Encarnacion and the Alex Avila/James McCann catching platoon. Abreu, Kevin Kiermeier, Seth Smith, and Cabrera are not weaknesses but they are not amazing. The bottom of the order is Moustakas, Anderson, and Ian Kinsler. Their power should help the club, but good pitchers should cut through that.

Defense and Speed: Ian Kinsler is still great at 2nd and Kiermeier is going to be good in center. Moustakas and Cabrera are not great in the field but that should not be a huge problem. Anderson, Kinsler and Kiermeier should take advantage of teams with weak holds and catcher arms.

Surplus/Deficiencies: Eduardo Escobar seems to be an odd man out. He can start at 3rd or ss. Maybe the White Sox want to platoon him with Anderson and Moustakas. Or maybe just he is a big utility infielder. But I think the White Sox may want to shop him. He is not young (28) and so it may be worth cashing him now. For what is unclear, but it is worth thinking about shopping.

The White Sox do need, as far as I can tell, about 100 PA’s in center and some fine-tuning in the pen. But that could be taken care of in the draft probably.

Outlook: It would be a surprise if the team did not make the playoffs. It shows just how far three excellent starting pitchers can get a team. I do not know if they are better than the Braves and it will be fun to watch where this team goes. But this team may want to develop a plan for the future and think about pushing harder now to improve their chances against the Braves and repeating, or think about consolidating. It should be another fun year for them either way.