OFFSEASON OUTLOOK
1. Eloy Jimenez, OF: Jimenez destroyed upper-level pitching with a .337 batting average and 22 home runs across Classes AA and AAA. He has plus-plus power to all fields, while his contact skills continued to improve. The 22year-old has nothing more to prove in the minors and should be up within a few weeks of the season.
2. Michael Kopech, RHP: Kopech had Tommy John elbow surgery in September after four major league starts and will miss 2019. He has an explosive midto high 90s fastball with improved command, while a tight-spinning slider is his best secondary pitch. The 22-year-old stuck out 170 in 1261⁄3innings at Class AAA with a 3.70 ERA in 2018.
3. Dylan Cease, RHP: Cease, 22, had a dominant finish at Class AA, striking out 78 with a 1.72 ERA in 521⁄3 innings. His 12-to-6 curveball has plus-plus potential, while his mid- to high 90s fastball has natural sink.
4. Nick Madrigal, SS: The fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft, Madrigal is a contact-oriented, line-drive hitter who barrels pitches to all fields. The 21-yearold has a short, compact swing and rarely chases pitches. He has below-average raw power but is a plus runner. He’s likely headed to Class AA.
5. Luis Robert, OF: Robert has plusplus raw power, plus bat speed and a plus run tool. But he struck out 26 percent of the time in advanced Class A. Expect the 21-year-old to jump to AA. The White Sox had a rough time in Year 2 of their rebuild. GM Rick Hahn has indicated the team has “the flexibility to pursue” free agents, but he also said he’s “not looking for short-term fixes.” Don’t expect big names getting lured to the South Side.