The White Sox will have some decisions to make as to whom they will call up as September nears. September is when the rosters expand from 26 to 28, so there are only two extra spots to fill. That doesn't mean only two players are coming up as others will be also coming off an injury and some are getting replaced. There's going to be difficult decisions made by the front office, but let's take a look at some names that will be looked at to being on the roster in September.
Gavin Sheets
The numbers don't lie for Sheets as his wRC+ in the majors is 110 and right now is 132 in the minors as his left handed power bat could come useful in September and in the playoffs. Thats another option to have off the bench or when matching up with a right handed starter. Sheets has been performing well since his demotion, but that decision was purely made to get him at bats and getting those will benefit him greatly come the most important time for the Sox.
Billy Hamilton
Currently on a rehab assignment at Charlotte, Hamilton isn't necessarily going to be put on the roster for his bat as his wRC+ is a measly 71 for the season, but that doesn't mean he can't be useful. Now being strictly a right handed hitter might help, his role will be for when called upon to be a pinch runner and for as a defensive replacement. Hamilton has elite speed and provides gold glove defense and that will be crucial come the postseason.
Danny Mendick
Mendick has not been hitting well at the plate for the Sox this season with a 72 wRC+, but hopefully while he's been down in Triple-A his bat can come more useful. Mendick isn't going to be a starting caliber player in the majors, but him coming off the bench could come useful as he can play multiple infield positions and does have speed. While he is a hard worker and seemingly has a small niche fans whom have made him into somewhat of a fan favorite, it might be hard for him to break in. That being said, his versatility and speed will factor into whether he gets called up or not.
Yermin Mercedes
Mercedes won over fans in the early days of the season as he was hitting the cover off the ball. At first it seemed like Mercedes was just in an early season hot streak and would seemingly cool off, but he kept hitting, until finally the struggles came and was demoted to the minors. Mercedes has one very good skill and it's power and that is a very useful thing to come off the bench. That being said, despite being able to show he can hit in the minors, Mercedes really doesn't offer anything else as he is a very bad defensive catcher and really hasn't established himself as a first base option. Essentially, Mercedes is strictly a designated hitter type player and that doesn't help his case getting another shot. The front office will take a good hard look at Mercedes, but his chances of getting called up are slim despite a 127 wRC+ at Charlotte.
Jace Fry
Fry was once a pretty reliable reliever for the Sox, but has seemingly has become volatile. Fry had a great 2018, but his FIP in 2019 and 2020 have been mediocre as he had a 4.90 and 4.56 respectively. What does benefit him is that he throws left handed and that's another option that could be helpful in the playoffs. However, Fry has had injury problems in the past and that might be too risky of a gamble at this moment.
Matt Foster
Foster was a reliable reliever for the Sox in 2020, but has seemingly been very ineffective in 2021. Foster's FIP in 2020 was 2.88, but in 2021 it has been 5.69 which is not very good. That being said, since his demotion his FIP is a eye popping 1.62 which might get him some consideration to be promoted again. If Foster can find his form from 2020, then he would be a very effective weapon out of the bullpen.
Jonathan Stiever
Stiever has been seen as a potentially solid starting pitching prospect for a couple of seasons now and has had appearances in 2020 and 2021 though in spot starts. Stiever's FIP in the minors has been decent and could be a dependable arm in long relief during the last month of the season. He is good depth and might be able ease off the pressure for some players in the bullpen.
Zack Collins
Collins struggled in his first full season in the majors and his demotion recently suggest that the team might not be as high on him as they once were. Whether being pressed into as a full time player while Yasmani Grandal being hurt has anything to do with it is unknown, but when given the opportunity to start Collins has not been good at all. In fact, when Seby Zavala had been getting more opportunities to play, it signaled that the Sox are ready to move on possibly. That being said, there is upside with Collins as he has power in his bat and can hit from the left hand side. If he can figure it out, then he would be valuable to the team especially considering he is another catcher.
Evan Marshall
Another member on the injured list, Marshall is currently on a rehab assignment. Marshall had been reliable arm out of the bullpen for a couple of seasons, but has struggled in 2021 as his FIP has been 4.63 despite it being 2.04 in 2020. If injuries were the reason behind Marshall's struggles this year, then fine and he will be a welcomed addition to the bullpen. Otherwise, he's another volatile reliever. He is likely to be brought back on board, but that remains to be seen.
Jake Burger
This one is very unlikely, but Burger has been raking this year and it might help the team out in the postseason. Problem with Burger is that he is another power bat off the bench, which the team has plenty of, and he plays at the corners which they already have as well. However, Burger would be good depth regardless as if someone gets hurt he should be ready to come play. While unlikely, it's hard to ignore his 140 wRC+ down in Charlotte.
Ryan Burr
Another longshot to make the team in expanded rosters, Burr has some potentially good stuff to be a mainstay in the Sox bullpen in future years. While his ERA looks great, FIP is a bit more telling as its a red flag. If this is something Burr can work on then that gets him a chance at moving up. Otherwise he's just depth.
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