5 questions for the White Sox as spring training begins

There is nothing wrong with manager Rick Renteria and key players like Tim Anderson and Eloy Jimenez setting the White Sox's bar at making the playoffs this season.

And there is nothing wrong with general manager Rick Hahn and key players like Jose Abreu and new catcher Yasmani Grandal taking the cautiously optimistic route.

There's no doubt the Sox head into spring training this week in much better shape than recent seasons, but don't forget this is a team that hasn't a winning record since 2012 and hasn't been to the postseason since '08.

"This team can be a dark horse in the next year or so," Grandal said.

That sounds about right.

If they can stay relatively healthy, and promising prospects like Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal and Michael Kopech blend in well with a sturdy core and multiple veteran additions, the White Sox are going to be a team to watch this season.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday, here are five questions worth asking.

1. Another Lucas leap?

Lucas Giolito was one of the best stories in baseball last year.

After posting the highest ERA (6.13) among qualified major league starters in 2018, the right-hander ranked fifth in the American League at 3.41 last season. According to STATS, Giolito's -2.72 ERA improvement was the third-best in baseball history.

Still only 25 years old, Giolito is obsessed with being much more than a one-year wonder. If he can establish himself as a true ace, heading a rotation that now includes Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez along with Dylan Cease and a healthy Kopech, the Sox should be able to pitch with anybody.

2. Top rookies

Eloy Jimenez shook off a slow start and ankle injury while leading AL rookies with 32 home runs, 79 RBI and 240 total bases last season.

The upbeat left fielder finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. This season, the White Sox have three legitimate candidates - center fielder Luis Robert, Kopech and second baseman Nick Madrigal.

Robert has all the tools to be an incredibly special player, and he should be in the starting lineup Opening Day.

After missing the entire 2019 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the guess here is Kopech gets back in rhythm during a handful of starts for Class AAA Charlotte before joining the Sox's rotation.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Madrigal struck out only 16 times in 532 plate appearances with Charlotte, AA Birmingham and high A Winston-Salem last year.

Unless he agrees to a contract extension in spring training, Madrigal likely joins the White Sox in mid-to-late April.

3. Can he manage?

Renteria is 201-284 in his first three seasons in the White Sox's dugout. All things considered, that's stronger than it looks.

Overwhelmingly undermanned on the talent side from 2017-19, it's been nearly impossible to judge Renteria's in-game maneuvering.

That changes this year, and Renteria insists he'll be up for the new challenge of guiding a good team.

"I'm not afraid of expectations because it breeds opportunity," Renteria said. "I want to attain and complete those tasks that I think our club is going to have a chance to be able to do."

4. Can they defend?

Heading into camp, Renteria said the Sox are going to spend plenty of time doing defensive drills.

It's a necessary plan.

"There's still room for improvement defensively," Hahn said.

Anderson won the batting title in 2019, but the shortstop made the most errors (26) in baseball.

On the outfield corners, Jimenez is a work in progress in left and ditto for newcomer Nomar Mazara in right.

Overall, the White Sox ranked 25th out of 30 major league teams with 111 errors last season. On the bright side, Robert is going to bring Gold Glove potential to center and Madrigal is highly regarded at second.

5. Plan for McCann?

James McCann was a big surprise for the Sox last year, batting .273/.328/.460 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI in 118 games.

The unlikely all-star is back for another season, but where is he going to play?

Grandal is going to be the White Sox's No. 1 catcher and another new face, Edwin Encarnacion, is going to be the regular designated hitter.

McCann might not get steady playing time unless there is an injury, but he is perpetually positive and won't complain about a reduced role.