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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- General manager Chris Getz and manager Pedro Grifol were happy with the look of the 2024 White Sox during Spring Training, despite a 9-20-3 final record in Cactus League action.

Getz feels good about the pitching, the potential for defensive improvement after it was prioritized in the offseason and the offensive core. He mentioned 12 players during his four minutes of praise.

“I feel like we’ve raised the IQ of our club, which was something we wanted to accomplish out here,” Getz said. “I think we are going to reap the rewards as the season goes on.”

Grifol liked the way this revamped team came together, expecting the White Sox to play hard and improve every day.

“We brought in a ton of guys that we felt were talented,” said Grifol after Monday’s exhibition game against Triple-A Charlotte. “But when you bring in a lot of guys, what happens is you don’t know how they’re going to jell together. Over the offseason, and this camp, these guys have kind of turned into a team.”

How will that team translate into wins and losses? The answer will take shape starting Thursday against the Tigers. But here are a few of my thoughts and predictions to examine in preparation for Opening Day.

What needs to go right? Young talent needs to develop, perform
The White Sox are not going through a rebuild, as has been mentioned many times before. At least, they aren’t following the path of a complete teardown. They will need young players such as right-handers Jordan Leasure and Nick Nastrini and even Opening Day starter Garrett Crochet, who is only 24, to perform in their elevated roles and learn as they go. Shortstop Colson Montgomery, the team’s top prospect and No. 9 overall according to MLB Pipeline, should reach the Majors at some point in 2024 after beginning the season in Triple-A. Good health also will be essential across the board, as there is talent on this team, but they need to stay in the lineup throughout the season. 

Great unknown: How will Crochet handle starting?
The southpaw expressed a desire to join the rotation during a conversation with Getz early this past offseason. And Crochet ran with the chance to the point of dominance where his first potential regular season start turned into his first Opening Day start. But Crochet has never thrown more than 54 1/3 innings during a single season, and has a 2.71 ERA over 73 career big league innings in three seasons. The White Sox will have to be watchful of his pitch counts and innings total, although Crochet believes he will respond well to the consistent schedule of pitching every fifth day.  The White Sox also don’t have a set closer, but Grifol is not expected to name one hurler for that role.

Team MVP will be ... Luis Robert Jr.
Robert Jr. not only will be the Team MVP, but will put himself in American League MVP consideration. His 2023 performance was truly impressive, with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 80 RBIs and 90 runs scored. The Gold Glove-caliber center fielder is getting more detailed in his approach to all parts of his game and has become the understated face of the franchise in the fifth year of his Major League career. His on-field play speaks volumes and he’s just starting to tap into his immense talent.

Team Cy Young will be ... Michael Soroka
It was just the 2019 season when Soroka was a National League Cy Young (sixth) and Rookie of the Year (second) candidate, as well as an All-Star with the Atlanta Braves at just 21. He seems to have regained that same form following a three-year battle with injuries. He has the mind and thirst for knowledge of a pitching coach and seems primed for a return to top-notch mound steadiness.

Bold prediction: Andrew Vaughn will be an All-Star
Let me start this final category with a disclaimer: My 2023 bold prediction was Tim Anderson winning AL MVP. Anderson is my choice for NL Comeback Player of the Year in ’24 and was the driving force of the White Sox for many a season, but last year was the lone truly subpar showing of his career. With that said, Vaughn seems ready to turn his solid career numbers into excellence and is as comfortable as I’ve seen him as a Major Leaguer.