Inbox: Which prospects could make an impact?
Here’s the final White Sox Inbox of the 2019 regular season. But keep submitting those questions throughout what should be a busy offseason.
Will the future be seriously better in 2020 or will they need another year of development??
-- Rickey, @pfrickey
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn tempered contention talk for ‘20 a few weeks ago, taking more of a wait-and-see approach that will be based a great deal on offseason moves. But if the offseason goes as planned for the White Sox, with the additions of Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal, the organization's Nos. 1 and 4 prospects per MLB Pipeline, respectively, and the continued development of the young breakout players in place, that contention window should start to open next year.
My guess is ‘21 becomes the prime contention time, but here’s an early hot take: Both the White Sox and Cubs will be playing games with playoff implications next September.
Which injury-prone prospect will bounce back this year the most: [Jake] Burger, [Alec] Hansen, [Dane] Dunning, [Luis] Basabe, [Micker] Adolfo?
-- Juan, @ChiSoxJRod
I’m very intrigued by Micker Adolfo’s game and skill-set. Manager Rick Renteria was talking on Sunday about how Adolfo made huge strides before his injury. Each player from this list has a chance to contribute significantly when healthy.
• White Sox Arizona Fall League Updates
Will anyone ask Hahn the difficult question of whether or not the Sox will spend money?
-- Corey, Mokena, IL @coreyeldiablo
Hahn will do his state-of-the-season address with the media at the end of this homestand, and the offseason will be a primary focus. The White Sox will spend, and you can figure on a left-handed bat, a right fielder, a couple of starters and a couple of relievers all are on the agenda.
We frequently ask Hahn questions of this nature. But it clearly isn’t prudent for him, or any other general manager, to sit down and tell the media or the fan base, ‘We are spending X-amount here and Y-amount there, and here’s who we are pursuing.’ Hahn has said the money will be there to spend when the time is right, and I believe that time is upon us.
Will Jake Burger ever play baseball again?
-- A.J., Indianapolis, Ind., @AJEarley4
Not only again, but if all goes as planned, Jake Burger should be ready when Spring Training 2020 begins. It has been a rough two years for the team’s top pick in the ‘17 Draft. There’s no question the pair of left Achilles tears suffered and then the heel bruise will be a setback. The team's No. 17 prospect has not faced affiliate game action since Sept. 4, 2017.
I believe in his innate ability to hit, not just from the little I’ve seen, but from what I’ve heard from people more in the know. Factoring in the team the White Sox appear to be building, they can allow Burger to come back at his own pace and not push anything until he’s absolutely ready. He certainly has a personality capable of making him a star in this city if/when he eventually succeeds.
Is there a realistic free agent target -- ideally a lefty with power -- for right field? And if so, who?
-- Joe, Normal @JoeDeacon71
How does the name Corey Dickerson sound? The Phillies' outfielder would be a great fit in this lineup, having just turned 30 years old this past season.
Will the White Sox invest in an ace pitcher this year to balance the young core? We only have rookies to start, some more experienced than the others. But to contend, we have to have some balance.
-- Danielo, @jr_croes
Even with Lucas Giolito, a healthy Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease and Reynaldo López serving as the young rotation base, starting pitching will be added. I’m guessing that pitcher will not be Gerrit Cole of the Astros, who greatly enhances any rotation/team. But the White Sox probably need two starters to prepare for a season where Kopech, Carlos Rodón and even Dane Dunning are all coming back from Tommy John surgery.