Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert might give the Chicago White Sox a dynamic offensive duo. But for that to occur, they should keep away from accidents that value them components of 2021 and ‘22.
The Sox can have a special look within the outfield after AJ Pollock declined a participant choice and have become a free agent. Just how totally different is likely one of the intriguing points forward of 2023.
Here are three questions to observe this offseason for the Sox within the outfield and at designated hitter.
1. Will Eloy Jiménez see extra time in left discipline or at DH?
Jiménez hit a grounder to 3rd within the second inning April 23 at Minnesota, stumbled after crossing first base and fell. He acquired to his toes however was taken off the sector on a cart.
He underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn tendon behind his proper knee and was out till July 6.
Despite taking part in solely 84 video games, Jiménez completed second on the group with 16 homers. In 65 video games after the All-Star break, he slashed .323/.391/.558 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs.
He usually prefers taking part in left discipline however spent extra time final season as a delegated hitter to maintain him recent and his bat within the lineup. He hit .274 and slugged .500 in 50 video games as a DH, hitting 11 homers. He hit .340 and slugged .515 with 5 homers in 30 video games as a left fielder.
“He showed … he could produce as a DH, which is important for him — I think — to know and to have that in his back pocket,” Sox normal supervisor Rick Hahn stated on the GM conferences final month in Las Vegas. “That expertise of going by way of a special routine however nonetheless being the offensive participant that’s as impactful as he might be.
“Having flexibility, the ability to put him in the outfield helps as opposed to having someone locked into a DH spot. But in the end, we’ll have to see what we wind up doing on the outfield corners and if we’re better served by having him primarily in that DH spot, getting that production there.”
The Sox are taking a wait-and-see method with the variety of video games Jiménez could possibly be slated for in left discipline.
“Obviously (he) had a few physical ailments last year,” Hahn stated. “Let’s get him into camp healthy, get him into camp in shape and ready to go and then make an assessment versus what else we’ve added to the mix before locking him into 60 or 80 games in the outfield or primary DH. We’ll go from there.”
2. What’s the subsequent step for Luis Robert?
Robert in September ran although an inventory of his 2022 setbacks.
“Even though we didn’t start very well, I was feeling good, and then in Cleveland (in late April), I had a little injury in my leg (suffering a a groin strain),” the middle fielder stated by way of an interpreter. “I came back and I was doing good again, and then I got COVID (in late May) and had to stop again. And then after that, I came back and started feeling good again, and then all of these things started happening (with his left wrist).”
Robert additionally missed time in July due to blurred imaginative and prescient. He exited an Aug. 12 sport in opposition to the Detroit Tigers with the wrist sprain after making an attempt to steal second base, an damage that hampered him the rest of 2022. He tried to play by way of the ache, at instances swinging one-handed, earlier than being positioned on the injured record Sept. 24 and lacking the remainder of the season.
“He showed a lot of heart, he fought through, he did not want to shut it down,” Hahn stated. “Finally, clearly needed to intervene and shut it down for him as a result of it was asking an excessive amount of of him to hit big-league pitching with that ache in his hand.
“But he fought it every step of the way and did everything he could to get himself back out there. It’s not a shock, knowing him, but that’s the kind of guy he is and what he wanted to do. But ultimately we had to take that out of his hands, no pun intended.”
Robert, 25, completed tied for third on the group in RBIs (56) and stolen bases (11) and was fourth in runs (54) and hits (108) regardless of taking part in simply 98 video games. He slashed .284/.319/.426 with 12 house runs.
After being restricted to 68 video games in 2021 — largely lacking time due to a torn proper hip flexor — Robert is aware of to succeed in his full potential he should keep wholesome.
3. Is prospect Oscar Colás an choice for proper discipline?
Pollock began in proper discipline for the Sox on opening day. Adam Eaton was the group’s opening-day starter on the place in 2021 and Nicky Delmonico was in that position in 2020.
The Sox doubtless will add one other title to the record in 2023 after Pollock declined a participant choice final month.
Gavin Sheets made essentially the most begins in proper for the Sox final season (78). After a sluggish begin, he slashed .241/.295/.411 with 15 house runs and 53 RBIs in 124 video games.
Sheets, like Andrew Vaughn, is a pure first baseman. The Sox will doubtless insert Vaughn at that place, with Sheets aiding, after José Abreu signed with the Houston Astros. Vaughn performed 84 video games within the outfield, together with 45 in proper, in 2022.
Colás, ranked by MLB.com because the No. 2 prospect within the group, could possibly be within the combine in proper discipline.
“We’ll head to camp and see where we’re at,” Hahn stated relating to Colás. “But he impressed us last year and is on a real good trajectory to contribute in a meaningful way as soon as next year.”
Colás, 24, had a mixed .314/.371/.524 slash line with 23 house runs and 79 RBIs in 117 video games with Class A Winston-Salem (59 video games), Double-A Birmingham (51) and Triple-A Charlotte (seven). It was his first season with the group after agreeing to a $2.7 million deal introduced in January throughout the worldwide signing interval.
“He’s working hard,” Hahn stated. “The acclimation period is behind him, now it’s just a matter of showing that he’s ready and belongs in the big leagues. We believe in this kid.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com