CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Rotation
1. LHP Mark Buehrle - Definitely not a pitcher who's going to get you rich in the strikeout category. He's posted 10 consecutive seasons of 10+ wins and 200 innings and given the scoring potential of the White Sox offense he'll probably be somewhere in the 13-15 win area in 2011. A very durable starter who's ERA and WHIP won't help your team either. If it means anything, he's gotten torched in 2 spring starts so far. A middle of the pack #3 starter in my opinion.
2. RHP Gavin Floyd - After a very solid 2008 that saw him log 17 wins, the last two seasons have been ho-hum at best (11 & 10 wins with an ERA in the low 4.00s). His strikeout ratio is better than Buehrle's but that high WHIP and average against is a concern. Maybe a 4th or 5th starter if you're digging deep but I remain unimpressed.
3. LHP John Danks - A real bulldog on the mound, he won a solid 15 games for Chicago in 2010 with a nice ERA, pretty solid K totals and other good peripheral pitching numbers. He's continued with a good spring and at 25 he seems to be hitting his stride. Probably the safest bet in this rotation who I think will even improve on his 2010 totals.
4. RHP Edwin Jackson - May actually wind up being the #5 starter. After coming over from Arizona last year, he did improve. The White Sox are already his 5th MLB team so that tells you organizations are not thrilled with his prowess. He has the ability to chalk up K's at a fairly good rate but his career ERA, WHIP & average against leave me feeling I don't want to waste a roster spot on him.
5. RHP Jake Peavy - I bought in last year as he really helped me down the stretch in 2009 when he was acquired by the White Sox. His recent fragility should have been a warning as 2010 was a season both of us would rather forget. When totally healthy, he's still one of the better starters in MLB who'll give solid numbers across the board. Unfortunately, we don't know what to expect after the severe injury to his throwing shoulder muscle last year. His 1st spring start was solid but with all the injury shadows hanging around, I'd take a wait and see approach until he logs a few more spring starts. That being said, he probably won't go high in a fantasy draft and if the spring results favor it, grabbing him late could provide quite a boost to your pitching stats.
Closer
LHP Matt Thornton - Though Thornton looks like the front runner to replace departed Bobby Jenks, Chicago has made no public statement that a closer for 2011 has been chosen. Though possessing all the tools to succeed in this role, his 2011 spring doesn't help his cause either getting lit up to the tune of 6.00 ERA and 2.33 WHIP. Until we know for certain which direction Chicago will take, I'd watch this closely.
LHP Chris Sale - The other candidate for the closer's role, he hasn't distinguished himself this spring either. Owning a fastball at least as good as Thornton's plus a very good slider and change means he might not only be in the mix for saves but Chicago might also consider him for the rotation if they are unhappy with the slated starting 5. Without knowing for sure, it would be an unwise gamble drafting either high for saves as split duty will hurt your numbers. I'd wait until this situation resolves itself.
Lineup
1. LF Juan Pierre - Picking him off the free agent heap fairly early last year was certainly a major contribution to my 2010 fantasy baseball success. His 68 steals, .275 BA and 96 runs scored was a resurgence for a player many had already crossed off their list. A very young 33, there's no reason to believe Pierre won't continue his near .300 lifetime BA and still score runs & steal bases in bunches at the top of a very formidable White Sox lineup. Certainly someone who I'd clear a roster spot for on my team.
2. 2B Gordon Beckham - Perhaps rushed to the bigs in 2009, Beckham regressed a bit in all offensive categories last year. 2011 might be the year for a breakthrough though as with all the other bangers in the Chicago lineup, he can concentrate on his MLB game. Not needing to swing for the fences now, I see a boost in all of his offensive numbers. This is supported by the fact that he's ripping it this spring. I'd go so far as to say he'd be a very productive starter at 2B for any fantasy team.
3. DH Adam Dunn - Coming to an AL hitters venue can't do anything but help his already fearsome power numbers. I understand Chicago's desire to have a lefty bat breaking up the righties in the top of the lineup but I'm not sure Dunn is best suited to batting 3rd. His weakness is striking out and carrying a fairly low BA so I think he's better suited lower in the order to drive in more runs. Anyway, he'll still put up top shelf numbers in HRs & RBIs and may even bump his average up into the .270 range. The only question is how DHing will affect his mental approach. I do see him playing some 1B to give Konerko a rest once in a while. Even given his down side, he's a starting 1st baseman on anyone's team.
4. 1B Paul Konerko - A model of consistency in his pro career, Konerko shows no signs of slowing down at 35. He put together a monster year in 2010 and 2011 could also be as productive. A sure fire elite starter as a fantasy 1st baseman, a slow start this spring shouldn't be a concern.
5. CF Alex Rios - In his 1st full season with the White Sox, Rios put together probably the 2nd best statistical season of his career. At 30, he is now starting to hit for more power as he's already accumulated 3 spring HRs as partial evidence. His advantageous spot in the Chicago lineup will present plenty of opportunities to tack on RBIs as well. Add his career .281 BA to the mix and this is a solid #2 or #3 fantasy outfielder.
6. C A.J. Pierzynski - I'm a bit surprised to see him ahead of Quentin in the lineup but assume it is to break up the run of right handed hitters. Though his average was OK in 2010, his power numbers have steadily decreased over the last few years. OK as a later pick for a starting catcher, he won't give you stats to be proud of at a notoriously weak fantasy offensive position. I'm looking elsewhere as his overall numbers will probably take a bit of a nose dive from last year.
7. RF Carlos Quentin - 2010 was a series of up & down streaks that saw Quentin deliver a low BA but put together quality power numbers in spite of a mostly disappointing season. He should still generate those solid numbers in 2011 and might move up in the lineup at some point this season. Keep in mind he's just 28 so the potential for better stats is still there. Working against him is that he's usually a slow starter and this spring's stats don't buck that trend. Should have a spot on a fantasy roster as one of the later round outfielders.
8. SS Alexei Ramirez - He's adding to his very solid 2010 season by stroking the ball this spring to a tune of .364 with 2 HRs. This should spill over into 2011 with top of the line stats across the board for MLB shortstops. you'd do well to have him as your fantasy starter at this position.
9. 3B Brent Morel - Given the starting job after displaying some power (but a low average) in 65 2010 ABs, he's not carried that over this spring. He'll be given every chance to keep the job and his competition got 1 player shorter as it looks like Dayan Viciedo will at least miss a month due to a thumb injury. Mark Teahen is waiting in the wings but his MLB career certainly doesn't have gold stars all over it. I wouldn't draft him but watch to see what he does as the season progresses.
Possibilities
C Tyler Flowers - If Pierzynski stumbles, Flowers might be behind the plate sooner than expected. He didn't hit a lick in two brief stints with the White Sox in 2009 & 2010 but has a pedigree as an offensive minded catcher through his Minor League career. He's torn it up this spring and coupled with the fact 35 year old Ramon Castro hasn't hit at all this spring, his chance might be just around the corner.
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