Uncustomed Heroes of 2022: White Sox

 

The Chicago White Sox were supposed to dominate the AL Central this year. Instead they ended the season in 2nd place at exactly .500, losing to the one team that made the least strides to compete going into 2022.

On one hand, I want to think the evil has been vanquished after Tony LaRussa was sent packing. But on the other hand, Pedro Grifol is not the sure bet I figured the team would go for this season, nor is he the sure bet I figured Miguel Cairo would be. And, in addition, the White Sox lost a lot of ground this year, and will be heading into 2023 without Jose Abreu. Yes, they have a lot of great players left, and could still make a run at things, but they are no longer the proven success they were in 2020 and 2021.

One of the uncertain aspects of this team is Yasmani Grandal, who was signed to catch three years ago and has not been giving prime material. Grandal did have his best season to date in 2021, but it came in a shortened season. 2022 was also shortened for the veteran backstop, but here he hit a disastrous .202 with 27 RBIs and 5 homers in 99 games. He got so much done in 93 that it was upsetting to see him so listless. 

2023 Prediction: This will be Grandal's last year on the contract, so either he's a success and gives the team what they paid for, or he's a throw-in for a deadline contender.

Also fighting injuries this year was corner infielder Yoan Moncada, who led the team in strikeouts despite only playing 104 games this year. Moncada hit .212 with 51 RBIs and 12 homers, which aren't bad power numbers, but for a guy that's wrapped up for a few more years and was supposed to be one of the big pieces of this team, it's still disappointing. At least Rhys Hoskins quieted the detractors and had an incredible year this year. Moncada needs one of those.

2023 Prediction: An improvement, and more contact production for his age-28 season. Might be one of the heroes of this team.

Lucas Giolito has been one of the league models for consistency since 2018, only missing a game or so and providing the White Sox at least 160 innings per the full seasons. The only downside is that since umpires have started checking for tack, Giolito's ERA has mysteriously gone up a bit. This season, in 30 games he had a 4.90 ERA, lowered in the last month of the season, and gave up 88 earned runs while at least striking out 177. Even though Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech have taken Giolito's place as pure aces, it's gotta be upsetting watching Gio now and thinking about what he could have been.

2023 Prediction: Maybe he recovers a little, but I don't see his ERA going below 4.

A.J. Pollock was a late throw-in to a trade that sent Craig Kimbrel to Los Angeles. Pollock's deal was beginning to grate on the Dodgers, so the Sox hung onto it. Due to injuries to Robert and Jimenez, Pollock ended up playing a lot of games in the outfield, and the 2nd-most games of any White Sock behind Jose Abreu. In that time, Pollock hit .245 with 56 RBIs and 14 homers. Far from his Phoenix days for sure.

2023 Prediction: Somebody takes a flyer on him, but I don't think he has much left.

With Grandal injured and McGuire terrible defensively, the White Sox turned to longtime minor league backstop Seby Zavala to start some games for the Sox, and he actually did pretty well, hitting .270 with 28 RBIs and and 48 hits in 61 games, in addition to some halfway decent defensive catching. Like Tomas Nido in New York, fans took to him relatively quickly.

2023 Prediction: Primarily backing up Grandal but could be starting again by the second half.

The White Sox brought up two infield prospects in 2021, and they were both firmly in the picture during the 2022 season. Gavin Sheets played 124 games this year, mostly in right field, and hit .241 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs. Pretty much on par with a lot of this team's other hitters.

2023 Prediction: I think this season means he's starting in the outfield next year? I think the plan is to DH Vaughny? But either way he'll hit 20 homers.

Meanwhile, Jake Burger, while subpar on the field, hit 8 homers and held a .250 average in 51 games. He was mostly a fill-in for Moncada, but Moncada is ultimately a bit more versatile. 

2023 Prediction: Surprise power boost from the bench, possibly doesn't make it to September?

The big surprise was netting Elvis Andrus in a waiver deal and turning him into a fitting backup for Tim Anderson. Andrus looked beaten down in Oakland, and upon joining the Sox he felt renewed, as he hit .271 with 9 homers, 28 RBIs and 11 steals in 43 games. Even if Andrus didn't get this team to October, he at least made sure they finished the season higher in the standings than the Twins.

Finally, tomorrow we look at the members of a Yankee team that did the same thing the Yankees always do.

L.A. Devotee

 When the Dodgers got A.J. Pollock in 2019, they expected him to be a major player in the team's outfield, taking his expertise from the Diamondbacks and applying it to a larger market with higher stakes. In reality, the thing that Pollock always did with the D-Backs, get injured, happened in 2019, and the Dodgers used Pollock as a backup outfielder and DH in 2020.

But now that a space became open for Pollock, thanks to injuries to Cody Bellinger and now Mookie Betts, Pollock began doing what he did best in Arizona- making contact. 

July was an absolutely huge month for Pollock, as he hit .375 with 7 homers and 13 RBI. He's been hitting .457 so far in August with 9 RBIs. And he was pretty good in 9 games in May also. Pollock is as hot as hell right now, and aiding the Dodgers in every way he can. Considering that Bellinger and Betts have not been as consistent, or healthy, as the team has wanted, Pollock stepping up has been a godsend for the team, and he's had one of the most improved seasons of anyone on the roster that isn't named Muncy. 

Pollock has added nice flexibility to the roster as well. Now that Seager's healthy and Trea Turner's with the team, they can use Turner in the outfield, or Taylor in the outfield, and keep moving things around like that. With Taylor, Turner, Muncy and Smith still strong, the lineup can be flexible if it keeps being strong, and if it keeps mixing the power hitting with the contact. Scherzer and Price are now in the rotation fully, and Mitch White has been taking some starts, so that flexibility is also working, and will be equally important when Kershaw returns.

Again, the only downside to this Dodgers team is that unless the Giants somehow entirely lose steam in the next few weeks, their route to the playoffs is going to have to be the wild card spot. Which isn't a huge problem, they've advanced to the Series from that spot before. But I don't know if they'll be able to get past the Giants, as well as the potential of playing the Padres in a wild card scenario. The Dodgers are capable of great things, but it is possible that they could just be outmatched on several fronts this year. A sad reality, but one worth taking into account.

Coming Tonight: It took him a bit to master pitching in the Bronx, but once he got the hang of things, he began one of the sole bastions of hope for the rotation.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Dodgers

Not sure if you guys missed it or not, but the Dodgers won their first World Series in over 30 years this year.

I think it was well-deserved. Dodgers were the best team in the arrangement, had some of the biggest pieces and moments, and had so much talent to spare that even with that surging Rays team it wasn't gonna be close. I'm glad it happened, and I don't think it's the end of this team's reign.

A.J. Pollock, signed last year, finally dug into his potential as a starting outfield piece rather than a backup, in the wake of Joc Pederson's drop off. As the starting left fielder, he hit .276 with 34 home runs and a TEAM-LEADING 16 HOME RUNS [tied with Mookie Betts] in 55 games. It's definitely a return to form for the former Arizona stalwart, and I'm glad he's learning to stay healthy.

2021 Prediction: More healthy numbers but less room to start.

After sneaking up last year and getting some sneakily great starts in, Tony Gonsolin was given more of an opportunity to succeed this year, and the unlikeliest-looking pitching phenom went to work. Gonsolin had a 2.31 ERA in 9 games, with 46 strikeouts and a rotation-low .836 WHIP. Oh yeah, and he started Game 6, which would be the game the Dodgers won the World Series with.

2021 Prediction: More starts, more insane power, and a bit more respect from Kershaw and Buehler. I don't think he'll be a novelty after next year is what I'm saying.

Yes, the position of catcher belonged to Will Smith again this year, but Austin Barnes certainly had his moments to shine. He still hit .244 with 9 RBIs in 29 games, and was responsible for one of the big RBIs in Game 6, and literally bat 1.000 in the NLDS against San Diego. He may be the backup, but Austin Barnes should not be counted out.

2021 Prediction: Either he continues backing up Smith or some club signs him as a starter. 

Inevitably, Kenley Jansen was back at his old tricks this year. He did have some more moments of humanity, nearly lost the closing gig, and keeps giving up too many earned runs, but he led the league in games finished and still notched 11 saves. Considering he's got one more year on his contract, he's probably got one more peak year of being the Dodger closer left in him.

2021 Prediction: 40 saves, 3.50 ERA.
 

The bullpen seemed to be about more than just the usual suspects, as three new faces had great moments throughout. Victor Gonzalez, making his debut this year, had an exorbitantly low ERA, a 1.33 with 33 Ks in 15 appearances. The postseason gave him a 2.70 ERA and 5 more Ks, including some in Game 6. 

2021 Prediction: He'll get hit a few more times but he'll still be a valuable member of the bullpen.

After losing the closing gig to Liam Hendriks in Oakland last year, Blake Treinen signed a deal with the Dodgers to relieve, not close; that very much helped his chances to succeed, as he was used as a setup for Jansen most of the time, and he got a 3.86 ERA and 22 Ks, certainly not bad at all. Despite giving up some runs in the postseason he held onto his material and still got 10 Ks, and finished strongly.

2021 Prediction: Gets picked up by a lower-tier team and evens his ERA out.

And then there's the now-iconic Brusdar Graterol. Traded from Minnesota for Kenta Maeda, Graterol was eased for a relief role, and while his regular season stats were fine [3.09 ERA with 13 Ks], he really gained traction during the playoffs. With the exceptions of 3 earned runs against the Braves, Graterol was unhittable, garnering 0 earned runs anywhere else in the playoffs, and getting some spiritedly tough outs with flair. Graterol's exaltation, even at 21, got a lot of eyes his way, and I hope he keeps it up.

2021 Prediction: More dominance, but he's gonna need to work on keeping runs down. 

Coming Tomorrow- The Giants NEARLY made the playoffs this year. Just barely missed. And there was a lot of talent that nearly got them there.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Dodgers (Part One)

So the 2019 Dodgers came a bit short of expectations.

I mean, with how indestructible they were looking in June, it was hard to think of them doing anything but winning the World Series, especially with Bellinger, Ryu and Muncy having landmark years. Bellinger even wound up with an MVP, which I'm perfectly fine with.

I had to split the Dodgers post in half, so tomorrow morning you're getting the pitchers. Here are some hitters.

 AJ Pollock coming to LA was one of the bigger moves of the offseason, as Pollock, when healthy, had provided offensive pep to the Diamondbacks teams of the decade. Despite his season being shortened to 86 games (due to, you guessed it, injury), Pollock still hit .266 with 15 homers.
Why Him in 2019?: Fulfilled a contract by being an integral part of the Dodgers team when he was healthy.
2020 Prediction: For the love of God, consistent numbers and health.

 The more consistent unsung hero of this era of Dodger baseball has been Enrique 'Kiké, but please remember that tilde!' Hernandez. Hernandez has never been known for high averages, but he did end up with 67 RBIs this year, a career high, and a .429 postseason average with 3 RBIs and a home run.
Why Him in 2019?: Still the perennial starting second baseman in a team that could, at any point, sign a flashier name to do his job a little better.
2020 Prediction: Down numbers may lead to him losing playing time to either Chris Taylor or an acquisition.

 Despite being the 2nd-most-popular Will Smith in the NL, Will Smith of the Dodgers had a strong rookie season, going from 4th-string backup catcher to Austin Barnes all the way to the starter by the postseason. Smith has the bat that has evaded Barnesy, hitting 15 home runs and 42 RBIs in 54 games.
Why Him in 2019?: Got his first postseason hit this year as a rookie starting catcher. What a world.
2020 Prediction: 1st-string starter from Opening Day, gives Posey and Contreras a run for their money for ASG spot.

 Though his value has decreased since the rise of Max Muncy, Chris Taylor is still an impressive swing-man in LA, notching a 2.4 WAR, and getting 54 RBIs and 12 home runs.
Why Him in 2019?: Led the Dodgers in triples.

 The other, non-catcher bench rookie that got some nice pub this year was Matt Beaty, a 1B-OF guy who was pretty great off the bench, with 46 RBIs, and having a .310 average with 2 outs and RISP.
Why Him in 2019?: Backed up Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Joc Pederson without seeming like a scab fill-in.
2020 Prediction: Will start some crucial games in the wake of injuries, and be a huge part of the Dodgers' postseason roster.

 This year we said goodbye to David Freese, former postseason hero for St. Louis. I hated him for awhile, then he joined teams I enjoy, the Dodgers being one of them. Freese was great off the bench in LA, hitting .315 in 79 appearances, and hitting 29 RBIs and 11 home runs. Not bad for a guy walking off into the sunset.
Why Him in 2019?: Retired with dignity, rather than with the Cardinals.

The biggest sign of strong times to come was the call-up of Gavin Lux, second base prospect extraordinaire, to cover some games for Kiké Hernandez. Lux gave a modest preview of things to come, batting .240 with 9 RBIs in 23 games, and getting his first postseason homer against the World Champions.
Why Him in 2019?: Everyone'd been waiting for him to get to the majors, and this was his opening statement.
2020 Prediction: Might kick Kiké Hernandez out of town. Might take a bit longer to find a groove, but he'll definitely perform in October.

Coming Tomorrow Morning; Dodgers pitchers.

Diamondback to Black

(Music Puns #3. This one's a little classier)

Like last year, the NL West has delved into a fierce battle between two 90's expansion teams, the Diamondbacks and Rockies. Also like last year, the Dodgers are currently staying out of the race. But unlike last year, the early edge is going to the Diamondbacks, and for good reason.

The D-Backs have compiled a ton of really nice, homegrown talent onto one roster, to the point where the only accoutrements, like Jarrod Dyson and Alex Avila, are being used to bolster the core. And the core is essentially the killer A.J. Pollock/Paul Goldschmidt combo, with occasional assists from Chris Owings and David Peralta. Yes, the rest of the lineup needs to catch up a bit, and yes, Jake Lamb is currently on the DL, leaving the team with such an embarrassing hole at 3rd base that it evokes the Red Sox' from last year, right down to the inexplicable Deven Marrero presence.

The pitching is slightly down from last year, but still fine. Patrick Corbin and Zack Godley are off to the best starts, while Robbie Ray needs to keep his ERA down. Zack Greinke is...well, he's not off to the best start, but he's still dealing strikeouts when he can. Taijuan Walker just went on the DL for Tommy John surgery, but there seems to be someone else waiting in the wings (and if that doesn't work out, might I suggest trading for one of the many underused pitchers in Houston? Come on, they can throw in a third base prospect or something)

The D-Backs are off to a nice start, even if they don't look perfect, and even as the Rockies are beginning to catch up.

Coming Tomorrow- [angry Elmer Fudd noises] Guess who's trying to compete again??

Clinging to Relevancy

And now, another moment with a good NL West team that isn't the Dodgers.

The D-Backs/Rockies thing has been going on all season, and it's been this endless train of one-upmanship between the expansion teams, to see which one has more depth and such, and right now the D-Backs are in third. However, the last time I did a post on the Rockies, THEY were in third, so this whole thing is just hella fickle.

I'll give the D-Backs some credit for taking a few more steps than the Rockies to repair the team, especially in the wake of some injuries. Adam Rosales, JD Martinez and David Hernandez plugged a ton of holes with the team, and they're all doing relatively well, with an emphasis on Martinez on his home run hitting.

Still, the core of the team has enough momentum that the deadline additions don't need to define them. Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb, AJ Pollock and Zack Greinke are among the best in baseball this year, and they're all banding together to make the Diamondbacks relevant, even with Dodgers-mania going on nonstop.

I'm pulling for the D-Backs. It's gonna be tough, but I'm pulling for them.

Coming Tonight- This time last year, he was the rookie sensation lighting up the league. Now, in Judge's town, it's hard for him to compete, but he's still one of the best in the Bronx.

Custom Card of the Night: Pollock Edition

The NL West is a very baffling division. The Dodgers are in first, and the Rockies are in last, but the three teams in the middle have no idea what they're supposed to do. Nobody can just pick an outcome and stick with it.

The Giants are in second, but are too inconsistent to stay in contention. True, they got Mike Leake to make a potential playoff run, but the team is being saddled by injuries and hitting slumps, and things aren't working out.

The Padres are in third, but are torn between winning games or blowing them. They held onto most of their big acquisitions, but nobody's hitting, and they'll only win a few games once in a blue moon.

The D-Backs are in an even worse shape. They only have two real sources of power, in AJ Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt, and are a very messy team, but still are insistent on winning games and bobbing between third and fourth. They're a losing team that are adamant about not losing.

It's a crazy division, and I at least see the Dodgers getting far. But the other guys need to get their priorities straight.

Coming Tomorrow- The hard-hitting DH for a surging Astros team.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Diamondbacks

 I'm a day behind on these Year by Years, so I'm making this one snappy. Also, I just got up at 6 just to find out that school was closed. So I just need to write something and make myself feel good about life again.

AJ Pollock had a nice rookie season, despite the fact that his team started off doing really well, and then the Dodgers got good and they were buried for the rest of the season. But he's a great young star, and he's probably gonna be great next year.

This is my first Martin Prado custom. I know. I should have made one with his Braves years, but I didn't. I kept confusing him with Yunel Escobar. But still, he had a decent enough season with Arizona, though nothing pining for his Atlanta years.

Coming Tonight- Some fun members of the Dodgers.