Evaluating 7 White Sox fan predictions for ’23

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Making predictions for an upcoming Major League Baseball season is hard sufficient following Spring Training, and people prognostications come after watching baseball for six weeks to achieve a working data of groups. Making predictions on the finish of the calendar 12 months, when rosters aren’t even totally set, is darn close to not possible.

So, I got here up with a slight various to this plan: Let followers make their educated White Sox guesses after which agree or disagree. Here are seven from the numerous — I’ll come again with extra firstly of 2023. These predictions are as of Dec. 19.

“[Pedro] Grifol takes command of the team. [Yoán Moncada] bounces back. [Eloy Jiménez] hits 43 homers and the Sox win the [American League] Central in early September.” — @tom_paints

Let’s begin with the extremely optimistic. Grifol seems to be an excellent managerial rent, primarily based on his early preparation, focus and collaboration with the entrance workplace throughout his first stint on the helm, with common supervisor Rick Hahn mentioning the “fresh eyes” on the workforce two or 3 times on the Winter Meetings. Of course, it’s not simply Grifol with contemporary eyes upon the expertise.

Ask totally different individuals within the know, and Jiménez has the potential to have a Yordan Alvarez-type impression. It’s a lofty comparability to essentially the most harmful drive on the defending World Series champions from Houston, however Jiménez has proven his immense capability with the bat when wholesome. And there lie the important thing phrases: Keep Eloy wholesome. I might agree with the sentiment right here, though it’s a bit of early in my thoughts to speak division favorites.

“[Lucas Giolito] throws a no-hitter. Eloy hits 40 HRs.” — @SoonerFletch

Optimism continues, and by the way in which, there was quite a lot of Jiménez help among the many 135 predictions. I additionally would go together with a Giolito bounce-back 12 months — he’s too proficient, an excessive amount of of a tough employee and an excessive amount of a pupil of the sport on what he wants to regulate to not get issues going once more after a troublesome 2022.

“[Oscar Colas] wins Rookie of the Year.” — @southsluggers

I had “Top 3 AL Rookie” in my thoughts for the fitting fielder. Just from my latest interview with Colas, with the assistance of interpreter Billy Russo, I can inform he’s prepared and understands that nothing is given. I believe 25 residence runs is an inexpensive prediction.

“[Dylan Cease] wins the AL Cy Young Award.” — @ChiFanDaddy

Now we’re speaking nearer to certainties. Cease’s 2022 efficiency was really elite and would have gained the Cy Young if not for Justin Verlander’s outstanding season in Houston. Cease is simply getting began, leaving it extra a matter of when than if he wins a Cy Young.

“They lose a midweek series in tragic fashion and White Sox Twitter tears itself apart. They win the next day, and all is well again.” — @Patinthebronx

This prediction made me chortle out loud, solely as a result of it’s true and I might hear myself yelling throughout a Michigan soccer recreation. I bear in mind declaring three video games to be over after the opposition’s first rating and having no scarcity of impending doom if it was shut at halftime. By recreation’s finish, it was nothing however jubilation. Social media is the gathering place for overreaction.

“Groundhog Day is shown on the scoreboard because you won’t be able to tell the difference from last year’s team.” — @heattreatjay

There can’t solely be happiness within the predictions I selected, proper? But I disagree right here, though “Groundhog Day” is a superb film and I’m not likely a Bill Murray diehard supporter. The White Sox will probably be above .500 this 12 months and will probably be higher than in 2022.

“Better than last year. Still miss playoffs.” — @MouraToWrexham

Cleveland isn’t going away, nor are the Twins. So, this situation is believable. Again, although, if I can quote the followers’ favourite saying: ‘It’s nonetheless early.’