There are better days ahead for the White Sox

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It was another day and another loss for the White Sox. This time they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Twins. James Shields took a perfect game onto the seventh inning before the Sox found a way to do what bad teams do, lose. The problems were the usual suspects, shaky relief pitching, poor fielding and an inconsistent offense. Rather than gripe about another loss, I'm taking this time to assess the progress of the Sox rebuild. I'll start by taking a look at the major league team and see if there are any usable parts.

Start with the starters

Reynaldo Lopez looks to be the current prize on the White Sox big league roster. Lopez is currently winless at 0-2 with an ERA of 2.43. His peripherals are okay, but what doesn't show up is he induces a lot of weak contact. His WAR sits at 1.1 so he is pitching effectively, just on a bad team. Lopez will be there when the Sox are good. Lucas Giolito sports an ERA of over 7.0. He has walked 23 while striking out 18. Despite all of that, I still think Giolito will get his act together. He's been effective in spots.

Carson Fulmer is the big winner on the Sox starting staff with a record of 2-2. Fulmer's ERA sits at 5.02. Like Giolito, Fulmer's command is notional at best. I'm not sold on Fulmer. James Shields and Miguel Gonzalez will be not factors when this team is good. Dylan Cease, Micheal Kopech and even Carlos Rodon should anchor the White Sox staff in 2-3 years.

Little relief in sight

The bullpen is radioactive. Nate Jones can be part of a bullpen, but that's about it. Beyond Jones, the rest of the Sox bullpen is fungible.

No beef with Wellington

I was impressed by eh White Sox signing of Wellington Castillo. The Sox seem to have a chronic black hole behind the plate. Castillo is an upgrade, but the bar is so incredibly low, that's not saying much. Backup, Omar Navarez, leads baseball in passed ball with six, is hitting below .200 and has no power. I miss Kevan Smith. Zach Collins is a three true outcomes guy who is improving behind the plate. I believe he'll be an improvement over Omar Navarez. Look for Collins to be in Chicago in a couple of years.

Is the glass half empty or half full?

Shortstop,Tim Anderson, has 6 home runs and 9 RBIs. I'm afraid that's the type of player he will be. More flash than substance. Yoan Moncada could be a real superstar at second, but hamstring issues make me hope he won't be Jorge Soler 2.0. Jose Abreu is a solid piece at first base. I hope the Sox keep him around for the next few seasons. His bat and leadership should prove helpful in the years to come. Yolmer Sanchez can be a contributing member of a winning team. I'm not sure I like him as a regular third baseman, but a team could do worse. 

Matt Davidson looks to be an updated Mark Reynolds. While that's not great compliment, that level of play is okay for a guy who is a reserve on a good team. If he's a mainstay on your team, you're not a good team. I'm not sold on Jake Berger being a helpful on a winning team. The White Sox have help on the way, but I don't see much of it coming from infielders.

One of life's mysteries

Adam Engel plays a lot of center field for the White Sox. He's very fast and plays good defense. He's also hitting under .170 and has a WAR of -1.1. So why is he playing so much? Leury Garcia as speed, versatility and can hit a little bit. Why he hasn't gotten more playing time is beyond me. Avisail Garcia seems to have flamed out as a building block. Garcia can't seem to stay on the field and it seems to be a constant with him. Enough already. Nicky Delmontico has a great name and an average game. It's a shame those two things aren't reversed.

Dream a little dream

The White Sox are loaded with outfield prospects. Eloy Jimenez heads the group and will be the foundation of the next good Sox team. Luis Robert is also a five tool guy and Blake Rutherford has a skill set headed up by a good hit tool. Sox fans can dream of a Rutherford-Robert-Jimenez outfield in a few years.

As irritating has it is to watch the Sox now, better days are coming.

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