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What if the White Sox are all healthy for the 2023 season? initially appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Over the previous 2 seasons, the White Sox have actually come down with the injury bug. Players they would think about part of their long-lasting core have actually not seen the field at a regular rate.
They suffered sufficient injuries in 2022 to consider their season sufferable and causal to the result of their underwhelming season.
Yoán Moncada got in the season in IL with an oblique problem. Tim Anderson left the group with a finger injury in early August and never ever returned. Yasmani Grandal confessed on the White Sox Talk podcast he averted back surgical treatment to continue playing — eventually losing power from his legs as an outcome. Eloy Jiménez experienced a comparable, continuous injury as Grandal. And Luis Robert completed the season swinging the bat with one hand since of a wrist injury.
Moncada played 104 video games, Anderson 79, Grandal 99, Eloy 84 and Luis 98. On the mound, Michael Kopech likewise had problem with a recurring knee injury, which kept him to 25 video games.
The 2021 season saw comparable styles. Grandal played 93 video games, Robert 68 and Eloy 55. Luckily, the bulk remained healthy and their on-field success drove them to a department title and a playoff berth.
2022 was a various story.
The injuries, together with a corporation of other factors — possibly not as substantial as the injuries — required the White Sox into a .500, 81-81 season.
They completed far listed below expectation and was up to a young, underdog group in the Cleveland Guardians. They took the AL Central by storm, winning the department by 11 video games over the White Sox.
On the White Sox Talk podcast, Joe Kelly called the 2022 season a “worst-case scenario.” But what if the White Sox remained fairly healthy for the upcoming, extremely expected 2023 season?
Is that the best-case circumstance?
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It appears that would be the best-case circumstance. This White Sox lineup is exceptionally skilled. But their coup de grâce over the previous 2 seasons has actually been their own health.
If the White Sox can handle their capability to remain on the field, they have the chance to draw out the complete capacity the company thinks depend on the clubhouse.
The factor very little relocations have actually been made in the offseason — with the exception of Andrew Benintendi, the franchise’s biggest agreement ever, and Mike Clevinger — is since the company thinks they have the skill to accomplish their objectives.
And who can argue with that?
Unfortunately, injuries have actually ended up being a pillar in the clubhouse; it’s part of the factor they haven’t turned into a deep playoff competitor.
I don’t need to spell it out for you. This is a group filled with power, adaptability, speed and a heckuva beginning rotation.
In 2021, they completed with the third-best batting average, fifth-best on-base portion, fifth-most hits and seventh-most runs in the league. Don’t stop there. Their pitchers completed with the ninth-best age and 11th-best WHIP.
That culminated in a 93-69 season, AL Central win and a playoff berth.
Can the White Sox reproduce or surpass their arise from the 2021 season?
As the World Baseball Classic finishes up on Tuesday, the White Sox are fielding a fairly healthy lineup prior to Opening Day. Moncada (bruised rips) and Jiménez (cramps) got banged up. But by the appearances of it, they’ll be all set to go when it matters.
So the concern stays — can the White Sox remain healthy enough this season to take control of their complete capacity as a clubhouse?
I’d state, if they can remain fairly healthy – a minimum of more so than in current seasons – they have the possible to make some sound in the postseason.
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