Opening Day is just a few days away, and the White Sox have started cutting more and more players ahead of the big day. I will take my best stab at predicting the 26-man roster the White Sox will have on March 28th against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Starting Lineup
Andrew Benintendi LF (L)
Yoán Moncada 3B (S)
Luis Robert Jr. CF (R)
Eloy Jiménez DH (R)
Andrew Vaughn 1B (R)
Paul DeJong SS (R)
Dominic Fletcher RF (L)
Martín Maldonado C (R)
Nicky Lopez 2B (L)
Contracts and performance guaranteed several starting spots on the position player side before spring training began. Benintendi, Robert Jr., Moncada, Vaughn, and Jiménez fit this category.
Paul DeJong and Nicky Lopez were not guaranteed starting spots on opening day when the spring began, but they have done enough to earn the jobs at shortstop and second base, respectively. Martín Maldonado has not had a good spring but will be the starting catcher, given the contract he signed this offseason. Robbie Grossman probably will start in right field on opening day considering the White Sox face a lefty, but Fletcher will likely be the starter at that spot and should get most of the playing time.
Bench
Max Stassi C (R)
Robbie Grossman OF (S)
Gavin Sheets 1B/DH (L)
Braden Shewmake IF (L)
Following the release of veterans Mike Moustakas and Kevin Pillar, the bench looks much more straightforward than just a few days ago. Max Stassi will be the backup catcher following the cut of Korey Lee. Robbie Grossman signed yesterday and will likely be the fourth outfielder and a platoon partner with Fletcher in right field. Gavin Sheets has had a good spring and won the backup first baseman/lefty bat job. Braden Shewmake figures to be the backup infielder, though Zach Remillard is also an option.
Starting Rotation
Garrett Crochet (L)
Michael Soroka (R)
Erick Fedde (R)
Chris Flexen (R)
Nick Nastrini (R)
Crochet, Soroka, and Fedde are all guaranteed to be in the rotation to start the season, as Pedro Grifol has already announced they will pitch in the opening series. The fourth and fifth starters are currently unclear, but it is reasonable to assume that those spots will go to Flexen and Nastrini.
Flexen signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the White Sox this offseason and has pitched reasonably well this spring, so he has likely done enough to earn a rotation spot. Nastrini has done everything needed to earn a spot in the rotation. His place on the opening day roster depends on whether the organization wants to start his service time clock on opening day or keep him down in the minors for a couple of weeks to get the extra year of team control.
Bullpen
Tanner Banks (L)
Dominic Leone (R)
Deivi García (R)
Tim Hill (L)
Michael Kopech (R)
Steven Wilson (R)
John Brebbia (R)
Jordan Leasure (R)
While there was some bullpen competition this spring, there ended up being a fair share of relievers who would make it no matter what. Hill, Kopech, Brebbia, and Wilson all fit into this group. García, Leone, and Leasure were not guaranteed bullpen spots entering the spring but have pitched well enough that they should make the team. The same idea applies to Tanner Banks, who has likely earned the long reliever spot over Touki Toussaint.
Final Opening Day 26-Man Roster Prediction
Catchers: Martín Maldonado, Max Stassi
Infielders: Yoán Moncada, Paul DeJong, Nicky Lopez, Andrew Vaughn, Gavin Sheets, Braden Shewmake
Outfielders: Andrew Benintendi, Luis Robert Jr, Dominic Fletcher, Robbie Grossman
Designated Hitter: Eloy Jiménez
Starting Pitchers: Garrett Crochet, Michael Soroka, Erick Fedde, Chris Flexen, Nick Nastrini
Relief Pitchers: Tanner Banks, Dominic Leone, Deivi García, Tim Hill, Michael Kopech, John Brebbia, Steven Wilson, Jordan Leasure
There might be some slight tweaks over the next few days, but it seems like the White Sox opening day roster will be what is listed above for the most part. Even though the team will not be good this season, opening day is next week. That is something to look forward to.
