In the Watch List series, we will examine four current players from each franchise with the best chance of one day cracking their All-Time Team.
Eloy Jimenez
Position: OF
2019 Age: 22
Career bWAR with Sox: 0
Although he has yet to make his big league debut, the legend surrounding White Sox outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez has already begun to grow.
Jimenez played the entire 2018 season at age 21, and dominated the upper minors all year. In a season split between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, Jimenez established himself as the best outfield prospect in the minors. In 108 games he combined to hit .337/.384/.577 with 28 doubles, 22 homers, and 32 walks against just 69 strikeouts.
Although he was clearly ready for a promotion late in the summer, the White Sox opted to shut him down at the conclusion of Charlotte’s season. In the process, the Sox will secure an extra season of control over Jimenez during what figure to be his prime years.
Jimenez remains on track to be a standout hitter at the big league level as soon as next season. As a corner outfielder he may not provide much defensive value, but he should be able to hold his own on that front.
It remains to be seen if the present drama over his delayed promotion to the big leagues will factor into any future contract extension discussions. Regardless, Jimenez is as good a bet as any current player to have a long, dominant career on the South Side.
Outlook
The reserve outfielders on the White Sox All-Time Team are no slouches, but Jimenez clearly has the talent to perform at that level, or better, for years to come. Harold Baines has a lengthy career, and strong White Sox legacy to overcome. Meanwhile, Magglio Ordonez posted better rate numbers than Baines, but his White Sox career was significantly shorter. Jimenez could, theoretically, follow a similar career path to either player. In a perfect world, he would combine the best attributes of both to push for a spot among the Sox All-Time starting nine.
Jose Abreu
Position: 1B
2019 Age: 32
Career bWAR with Sox: 18.7
When Jose Abreu signed a free agent with the White Sox in October, 2013, nobody seemed to be sure exactly how his dominance in Cuba would translate to the highest level of the game.
Abreu proved to be an immediate impact player. In 2014, he led the AL in OPS+ (173) and slugging (.581) on the way to the All Star game, Rookie of the Year honors, and a 4th place finish in the MVP voting.
Unfortunately, 2014 has represented Abreu’s career year up to this point. Given that he was 27 years old at the time, it may stay that way.
On the other hand, Abreu has been remarkably consistent since. With about two weeks remaining in the 2018 season, Abreu sits with a career 138 OPS+, while averaging 3.7 bWAR/season.
Outlook
Abreu’s career to date demonstrates the potential to end up in the same category as Baines, Ordonez, and even starting first baseman Paul Konerko among the great sluggers in White Sox history.
At this point, Abreu’s greatest hurdle appears to be father time. He has a chance to be a free agent after the 2019 season. Were he to depart after next season, he would almost definitely fall short of the bar needed for inclusion on the All-Time Team. A contract extension appears to necessary for him to get there. In the event of an extension, he would probably need to remain a well above-average hitter into his mid-30s to secure his place.
None of that is impossible, but it’s hardly probable. Even still, the first five years of his career have produced enough of a foundation for Abreu to sit near the top of the White Sox Watch List.
Yoan Moncada
Position: 2B
2019 Age: 24
Career bWAR with Sox: 3.1
Like his countryman Abreu, Yoan Moncada is among the highest profile Cuban players in recent years. After signing as a free agent with the Red Sox in March, 2015, Moncada quickly established himself as one of the top prospects in the minor leagues. The White Sox acquired him from Boston in December, 2016 as part of the deal that sent Franchise Phenom Chris Sale to the Red Sox.
After a cup of coffee with Boston, the White Sox brough Moncada to the big leagues for good in July, 2017.
At this point, Moncada clearly has work to do in order to realize his considerable potential. He figures to finish the 2018 season with a little over 200 career games in the big leagues, and a career OPS+ on the low side of average. He is on pace to the lead the American League in strikeouts this year. His defense at second base is currently adequate at best.
While it’s fair to say that some of the shine has worn off of Moncada since his days as a top prospect, there is still reason to be hopeful. His loud tools, including 60-grade power, and 70-grade speed, landed him a massive $31.5 million signing bonus as an amateur. Despite his slow adaptation to the big leagues, those tools remain the basis for his potential to be an all-time great for the White Sox.
His current 162 game average clearly demonstrates a talented, but flawed player. The .228/.315/.397 line is carrying the heavy weight of 231 strikeouts. At the same time, he is averaging 74 walks, 28 doubles, 7 triples, and 20 homers.
Outlook
While the current version of Moncada is a far cry from an all-time great, there is hope. Moncada would hardly be the first player to consolidate his skills, and emerge as a much better player in his prime. Any meaningful improvement in his strikeout rate, for example, would beget tremendous improvements across the board on offense.
Similarly, there is significant room for improvement on defense. Improved focus and technique at second base, or perhaps even a position switch to the outfield, could suddenly make Moncada a much more valuable player.
At this point, the Sox control Moncada’s rights through the 2023 season. With the team in the middle of a massive rebuild, they remain heavily invested in his development. If he realizes his ridiculous potential, it will likely be in Chicago.
I’m willing to bet on the tools, and skills, he has already shown. I fully expect Moncada to be a star-caliber player at some point in his career. In order to have a chance to edge out Hall of Famers such as Luis Aparicio, and Nellie Fox, he will have to make those adjustments sooner, rather than later.
Michael Kopech
Position: RHSP
2019 Age: 23
Career bWAR with Sox: 0.1
Michael Kopech was the 33rd overall pick in the 2014 draft. The Boston Red Sox bet on Kopech’s impressive physical tools including elite arm strength, and a projectable frame.
In his methodical climb through the Boston system, Kopech’s projection slowly became reality. His velocity continued to climb, regularly reaching triple digits. The life on his heater helps make the pitch an elite offering. While Kopech struggled with the finer points of pitching including control and changing speeds in the low-minors, the talent was obvious.
By the end of 2016, Kopech was clearly making progress across the board. In December, Kopech joined Yoan Moncada as the headliners in the White Sox return for Chris Sale.
For much of 2017-2018, Kopech was largely the same pitcher. A flame-thrower with filthy stuff whose shaky control threatened to undermine the entire package as a starter.
Midway through 2018, Kopech’s command took a quantum leap. He mowed down Triple-A hitters in July and August before earning his first start in the big leagues on August 21. The command largely survived the trip to Chicago, and Kopech flashed moments of dominance in his first three starts.
After he was roughed up in his fourth outing on September 4, it was announced that Kopech had been diagnosed with a UCL tear. With Tommy John surgery lurking, Kopech now stands to face the long road to recovery while missing the entire 2019 season.
Outlook
I must confess that I am not particularly optimistic about Kopech’s chances to be an all-time great for the White Sox. While I expect that he will continue to show dominance when healthy, it remains to be seen how often he will be able to manage that. In any case, we won’t know anything new until 2020.
Wrapping Up
Despite all of the questions surrounding Kopech, his immense physical talent gives him the edge for the final spot on this list.
Starting pitchers Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito, and Reynaldo Lopez have all shown flashes, but due to lesser stuff, and shorter length of team control remaining, none of them are better bets than Kopech.
Reliever Nate Jones holds a career 137 ERA+, but has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons. He probably needs 2-3 more healthy, and effective, seasons to be considered.
Shortstop Tim Anderson is not far from Moncada at this stage in their careers. He has been similarly inconsistent on defense, and his hacktastic approach makes it less likely he develops into a superstar than his double-play partner.