The Chicago White Sox had one of their best seasons in a decade last year. In the 2021 season, the White Sox won the AL Central division for the first time since 2008. Although the White Sox entered the offseason looking like the guaranteed favorite to run away with the AL Central again in 2022, now that the offseason is over, that is not exactly the case anymore. The Minnesota Twins had a huge offseason with their top move being the signing of top free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa. The Detriot Tigers also have a very talented young core of players, so they could have a chance to really compete in the AL Central along with the White Sox and Twins. Although the AL Central may be a little more competitive than originally anticipated, the White Sox should still be everyone’s favorite to come away with the division title and make it back into the playoffs.
Offensively, the White Sox have one of the most talented lineups from top to bottom in the MLB. They have a very young, dynamic, and explosive style offensively if they can stay healthy. One of the most impressive things about this White Sox offense last year was their incredible plate discipline. Most of the time in the MLB, teams with a lot of younger guys with a lot of raw talent may struggle with strikeouts and not taking their walks but last season, the White Sox were fourth in the league in walks and had the third-best on-base percentage in the MLB. With star shortstop Tim Anderson leading off and big-time power bats in Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, and Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox should have a lot of confidence in their top hitters this season. The White Sox also went out and got second baseman Josh Harrison for the 2022 season. Second base was a pretty weak spot overall for the White Sox last season. Harrison will provide another veteran presence, along with Abreu, along with another solid bat in the lineup. The only question marks as of now for the White Sox offensively are right field and the DH. The White Sox do have a couple of really good options for these two spots, but time will tell who ends up standing out the most between guys like Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn, and Gavin Sheets.
As far as the pitching goes for the White Sox, they also come into the 2022 season with one of the most talented and deep rotations in baseball. Although Chicago lost Carlos Rodon, an All-Star and top five AL Cy Young candidate last year for White Sox, the rest of the starting rotation is returning to Chicago. This includes a pair of studs who are looking to come back and dominate the way they did in 2021. Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito should be one of the better 1 2 punches in the MLB. The White Sox will be adding young right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech to the back end of the rotation. Kopech was a long relief bullpen guy for the White Sox last season only because there was just no room in the starting rotation. Kopech should provide some good depth for the White Sox starting rotation this season. The White Sox bullpen is also star-studded. Chicago’s closer, Liam Hendriks, is arguably the best closer in the MLB. The White Sox also have some great setup guys like Aaron Bummer, Joe Kelly, and Kendall Graveman. With the great talent that the White Sox have on their pitching staff, they should be one of the top teams when it comes to pitching in 2022.
