With the 2020 season finally starting this week, this article will take a look at whom the White Sox will will have on their Opening Day roster. There will be 30 players that will make the club, but that number will reduce to 28 two weeks later and then to 26 two weeks after that and will stay at 26 for the rest of the season. With that being said, let's take a look at who the locks will be.
Pitchers: Aaron Bummer, Dylan Cease, Steve Cishek, Alex Colome, Jimmy Cordero, Jace Fry, Lucas Giolito, Gio Gonzalez, Kelvin Herrera, Dallas Keuchel, Reynaldo Lopez, Carlos Rodon
Catchers: Yasmani Grandal, James McCann
Infielders: Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Edwin Encarnacion, Yoan Moncada, Leury Garcia
Outfielders: Eloy Jimenez, Nomar Mazara, Luis Robert
That's 22 right here that are locks to make the roster. That gives eight more empty spaces for 30. With Michael Kopech opting out for the season, it does give another opportunity for others to make the club. There is intense debate as to whom will fill the final eight spots, but ultimately, these candidates seemed to be most likely to make the club.
Danny Mendick
Mendick almost was a lock, but considering he is a bench player, it seemed more likely that he would still have to prove himself. His versatility adds a lot of value off the bench and he's a gritty player. It would seem more likely than not he makes the team.
Adam Engel
Engel was also almost a lock, but just like Mendick, he has to prove himself. Aside from his defensive abilities and speed, Engel's bat is a question, but his improvement towards the end of last season and being able to work with hitting coach Frank Menechino should indicate that he will be fine offensively.
Zack Collins
Collins is the catcher of the future and will likely take over from McCann next season, but Collins should be on the team come Opening Day. He can play at first base and at designated hitter, so they can find ways to get him at bats. He also provides power off the bench and is left handed so that helps the team a lot.
Yermin Mercedes
Mercedes' meteoric rise is a big reason why he gets a spot, but his ability to not only play catcher, as he can DH, first base, third base, and left field helps a lot. He has thump to provide off the bench and that could come useful. Expect to see him get some at bats this season.
Nick Madrigal
This was a big decision here as some feel like he should come up later in the season for service time reasons, but with the loss of a Minor League season and no chance to develop in Charlotte, it makes sense to bring him up. Madrigal is one of the team's top prospects and is clearly the best option at second base, but to get him playing time this season, that could be huge. He's also has looked good in intrasquad games and that could help him.
Carson Fulmer
Fulmer seems like an unlikely candidate, but with his arm, it seems like he will. He has the ability to throw long or be a middle reliever as he possesses great stuff and could come useful. This also will be likely his last chance too as the team is growing ever so more impatient.
Evan Marshall
Marshall really has impressed a lot in the last couple of years and has shown to be a reliable reliever. He showed last season what he can provide as a middle reliever and that makes him a great candidate to make the team. Marshall was almost a lock and some will say he should be, but with only having a handful of games in the majors, he has to prove himself.
Nicky Delmonico
The last spot went to Delmonico as he was very likely to earn the 26th man spot out of spring training, but he is a good player to have. He does have pop in his bat, but he also provides versatility being able to play in the outfield, first base, third base, and at DH. Delmonico is a left handed bat as well and that will play nicely for pinch hitter off the bench.
There was some intense back and forth as to whom should make the club as Ian Hamilton, Tayron Guerrero, Ross Detwiler, Jimmy Lambert, Andrew Romine, and Cheslor Cuthbert all make great cases to make the team and might still make it as this is purely a projection article. They all provide a lot and most likely will play at some point during the season depending on whether there are injuries, Covid-19 related issue, or something else. That being said, keep an eye on them.
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