Fangraphs PREDICTS 63 Wins for the White Sox, Can We Get a Few MORE??

This past week, Fangraphs published their projected playoff odds and standings along with their depth charts. The depth charts are an amalgamation of widely available projections and estimates of playing time smashed with their calculation of Base Runs. It’s a Frankenstein’s Monster of calculated potential. I love taking a look at these and using the projections to create some “WHAT IF?” scenarios. As yous know, I already have a substantial bet on the White Sox success. And although the depth charts project a margin of safety for my wager, I’m always looking for more. So let’s examine a couple tree ways the White Sox could WIN MORE…NOW! (The White Sox DEPTH CHART is LINKED HERE)

Promote The Young Catchers ASAP as Possible

The highly rated prospect catcher duo of Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel easily outstrip the veteran incumbents and should be playing from the get go.

Not only is their wOBA (Weighted On Base Average) better than the rest of the veteran contingent, the Fld (Fielding) metrics also favor the youts. The quickest and easiest way to improve the RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW ($1 Sammy Hagar), is to promote the two kids and let them run. Not sure if that’s the best long-term plan, but we are trying to squeeze blood from a stone and this is the best way.

Let The Palatine Pounder HIT!

Mike Tauchman was a pretty minor veteran free agent acquisition in the grand scheme of MLB, but for the White Sox he represents a substantial upgrade in RF. And one that I manifested. However in the tiny subplot that is one of the least successful MLB franchises of the last 24 months, he represents an additional chance for improvement.

Out of all White Sox hitters, he ranks tied for first in wOBA with Andrew Vaughn at .323. On top of that his defense appears to be a net positive, which means, that the projected 448 Plate Appearances is low. Tauchman should be grabbing a stick damn near everyday to improve the White Sox near term chances of winning a ball game. Give your best hitters the most chances to hit.

Let Chase Meidroth Play Shortstop?

That’s right, for some reason the Fangraphs Depth Charts believe Chase Meidroth is the answer at shortstop for the 2025 White Sox. Although they project the most playing time for the prodigal son Colson Montgomery, the projections hate him even more than Keith Law ever could. I like Meidroth and I detailed some of what I think he could be HERE.

Meidroth is expected to easily have the best wOBA, and even with his glovework being deemed less than stellar, he’d still be projected to outstrip Montgomery in total value over a full season work load. From this projection even Brooks Baldwin would seem to be favorable to Montgomery. This points to a current dividing line between the White Sox brass, who seem to be trying to give this job to Montgomery and the critically thinking fanbase that believe some more seasoning at AAA is optimal.

But What About the Pitching?!?!?!?!?

The Fangraphs Depth Charts project the White Sox pitching staff to be a steaming pile of below average homogeneity. yay…

Absolutely no sign of belief in the Banny Whisperer or the Katz Lab or any other voodoo that you do to make the White Sox pitching staff take a big step up. Nope. Just a pretty bad group of pitchers mainly with FIP’s between 4.40 and 4.80, with a few outliers. Not a single “GOOD” pitcher in the pile. But given that there is basically no floor or ceiling it seems as if they aren’t a detriment to the 63 win White Sox. One mediocre option breaks, craps out, gets suspended, has a nervous breakdown and he’s replaced by the next. Ez Pz.

I’m really feeling the bright side of this White Sox season, even if that bright side is only a 40 degree day.

-BeefLoaf