Chicago thought they were going to win the Manny Machado sweepstakes, but he landed in sunny San Diego. This leaves this team in a similar situation as last season. They do have Eloy Jimenez in the waiting room, but won’t deploy him just yet. We will need to wait for his big bat in the middle of the order. Jon Jay is likely going to leadoff most nights, with Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu behind him. They do have some middling power, with Abreu and Yonder Alonso in the middle of the order. The White Sox will also get Welington Castillo back full time and Daniel Palka surprised last season with some big power. This offense isn’t going to be awful, but very boom or bust. Keep an eye on some of the younger names to come up during the middle of the year.
2019 Chicago White Sox Pitching Analysis
The White Sox struggled last season, finishing with the 5th worst ERA in baseball. Chicago received some talented young arms in recent trades, but they have not yet shown consistent numbers in the majors. Carlos Rodon missed a portion of the season, but went on and finished with a 4.18 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 120 innings. Rodon is the leader of the staff, which says a lot about where they are as a rotation. Rodon is a lefty that relies on his off-speed stuff, but leaves a little too much on the plate at times. Projecting Rodon to finish with anything under a four ERA seems to be fair, as that has been the recurring theme for him in his career. Reynaldo Lopez was an interesting name last season, finishing with a 3.91 ERA. Lopez upped his fastball velocity, and thrived during the colder months and bigger ballparks. Lopez has an issue of allowing too many fly balls, and when the temperature warmed up, so did Lopez’s ERA. A few tweaks to Lopez and he is a name to keep an eye on for a potential breakout year. This would be a major bright spot for Chicago if that was to happen.
Lucas Giolito is teetering on being a complete bust. He has shown below average strikeout stuff, and has been inept to getting left-handed hitters out. He also was torn up at home last season with a 7.80 ERA. Chicago doesn’t have a ton of options just yet to turn to, but his time is running out. He will enter as a backend starter, but don’t be surprised if he gets sent to the bullpen or minor leagues. Dylan Covey had a hot run to start his 2018 season, and then went back to being Dylan Covey. It is unlikely he resorts to 2018’s early form, but is a heavy sinker baller who just simply gives up too many hits. He had a 1.50 WHIP last season, which is projected to go higher in 2019. Ivan Nova was a fill-in signing for the White Sox, and probably won’t be a good one. Nova had a 1.40 HR or higher in the last two seasons with Pittsburgh. Heading to the American League and in a friendly hitters park, Nova’s 2019 outlook does not look good. Because of the lack of options in Chicago, Nova was the best they could do.
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