After making several strong moves during free agency this season and earning several top picks over the years in the MLB draft, the Chicago White Sox will look to be a force to be reckoned with in the American League as they will feature a very strong offensive line up during the 2020 MLB season.
Below is a breakdown of the team’s batting order ranging from 1 through 6, that American League pitchers might face this season.
Batting lead off-Tim Anderson.
Anderson was the American League 2019 Batting Champion, as he led the White Sox with a .335 batting average during the season. Anderson increased his batting average by 100 points after batting .240 last season.
Batting second-Luis Robert.
According to his bio, Robert began the 2019 season with the Winston-Salem Dash, and was promoted to the Birmingham Barons on April 30, 2019.
Robert was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game On July 11th, and made his debut with Class AAA Charlotte, and hit 2 home runs in hisfirst game with 7 RBIs. Robert also joined the 30/30 club after hitting 30 home runs and having stolen 36 bases that season.
Also during that season, Robert finished second in the minor leagues with 108 runs and led the minors with 165 hits.
On January 2, 2020, Robert agreed to a six-year, $50 million dollar contract with the White Sox before appearing in a major league game.
The contract includes team options for 2026 and 2027 which, if exercised, could bring the value of the contract to $88 million.
Batting third-Jose’ Abreu.
Abreu led both the White Sox and the American League with 123 RBIs, a .284 batting average, and 33 home runs.
On November 14, 2019, Abreu agreed to a qualifying offer with the White Sox for a one-year, $17.8 million dollar deal. Eight days later on November 22, Abreu signed a three-year contract with the White Sox worth $50 million, superseding his previously accepted qualifying offer.
Batting fourth-Eloy Jimenez.
In his first season with the White Sox, Jimenez batted .267, hit 31 home runs, and produced 79 RBIs. Jimenez, a former Chicago Cub top draft pick, will be a strong threat in the White Sox line up.
Batting fifth-Yasmani Grandal.
Known as one of the top catchers in Major League Baseball, Grandal will not only bring to the Sox his veteran presence but an efficient bat too. Last season, Grandal blasted 28 home runs and earned 126 hits in 513 at bats.
Batting sixth (Designated Hitter)-Edwin Encarnación.
Last season, Encarnacion batted .244 and slugged 34 home runs as a veteran DH hitter in the 27 time World Series Champions New York Yankees line up. Encarnacion also added 102 hits in the 2019 season.
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago.
