Preseason prep: Checking the good and bad from White Sox camp
Maybe it feels like the White Sox are picking up where they left off last season, considering their 6-13 record this spring.
The highlight of exhibition season will likely be Sunday's Spring Breakout game against the Rockies, which is expected to showcase their six top-100 prospects and most of the organization's top 30.
There may very well be an exciting young team brewing on the South Side, but it probably won't take shape until 2026. Meanwhile, with the March 27 season opener against the Angels getting closer, here's a look at the good and bad from Sox camp:
The good
LUIS ROBERT JR.: There's no quicker path to becoming a more respectable, competitive team than Robert returning to all-star form, last seen in 2023. Even better, he could return to his 2021 numbers, when the Cuba native played about half the season and posted a .946 OPS.
So far, so good. Robert has a .930 OPS this spring, with 2 home runs. A better season gives the White Sox some options. Maybe he could bring back a nice haul at the trade deadline.
He's also 27 and signed for two more seasons (both team options) at a reasonable $20 million per. Considering how hard it is to find offensive stars in MLB, keeping Robert as an anchor for the young guys is also a reasonable option.
SPOTS CLAIMED: Miguel Vargas has been on fire this week, lifting his spring OPS to 1.027. Lenyn Sosa has had a solid spring, hitting .360, after a promising 2024 season. Instead of shuffling young players in and out, it might help if the Sox can give Sosa and Vargas consistent time at second and third base, respectively.
Colson Montgomery did not take control of the shortstop position but still has a chance to make his major-league debut before the all-star break. The Sox might want to save a spot for infielder Nick Maton (1.096 OPS), who's played for three MLB teams the past four years.
BULLPEN: A disaster last season, there have been signs that a rebuilt relief core has some promise. Leading the charge is Mike Clevinger, the longtime starter the Sox plan to turn into a closer; and Rule 5 draft addition Shane Smith, who has been hitting the high 90s and has been lights-out since a rough spring debut.
Some other relievers who have been good so far: Penn Murfee, a former Mariner coming back from Tommy John surgery; former Orioles/Royals righty Jonathan Heasley; and lefty Cam Booser, who made his MLB debut with the Red Sox last year at age 32.
The list continues with returnee Steven Wilson, prospect Peyton Pallette, former Diamondbacks lefty Tyler Gilbert, former Mets first-rounder Justin Dunn, and veteran righty Dan Altavilla — all with spring ERAs below 2.00.
Spring provides plenty of false hope, but this isn't a bad list for a team hoping to hang onto some leads this year.
The bad
VETERAN HELP: Technically, there's some good news in this category. Brandon Drury, a 10-year MLB vet with seven teams, blasted 2 home runs Friday against the Reds and is hitting .364 this spring. He's arguably been the Sox' best hitter in Arizona and can play all over the field.
The rest of the group hasn't been good. Mike Tauchman is off to a slow start, hitting .160. Joey Gallo is 2-for-20 at the plate, Michael Taylor 2-for-17 and Austin Slater 0-for-9. With Andrew Benintendi's status unclear with a broken hand, the Sox might need help at two outfield spots when the season begins. Travis Jankowski is a late addition after being in Cubs camp.
THIN ROTATION: Martin Perez willingly took on the role of veteran anchor, and he's been decent this spring (3.38 ERA), but beyond that, there are a lot of questions.
Jonathan Cannon has struggled with a 11.25 ERA. That's not the end of the world, maybe he's been experimenting with new pitches. Davis Martin and Sean Burke have been good and seem certain to be in the rotation. Mason Adams left the mound Friday with discomfort in his right elbow.
Drew Thorpe is behind schedule after getting a bone spur in his elbow shaved down last September and likely won't be ready for Opening Day. The White Sox might consider using Shane Smith as a starter or if the bullpen continues to do well, follow the MLB trend of not using five true starters.