White Sox have competition for a few key positions

Widely regarded as having one of the most productive off-seasons in the major leagues, the White Sox still have much to prove this year.

It all starts on Friday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., when Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training.

“We view ourselves as a contender, absolutely,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “But at the same time, when we started this process midway through 2013, the intention was not to jump up and contend for one season; it was to put us in position for sustained success. We feel that we've acquired, in most every instance, an important piece for us for not just (20)15, but for '16 and beyond.

“And at the same time, we were able to do this without leaving too big a dent on our minor-league system, which is getting to the point now of being able to add guys who are going to contribute at the major-league level, not just in '15 but beyond.”

With the White Sox' regular lineup and pitching staff mostly set heading into training camp, there are a few spots up for grabs. Here's a closer look at them:

Second base

A hamstring injury was doubly costly for Micah Johnson last season.

Not only did it sideline the speedy infielder for the final month, it cost Johnson a September call-up from the Sox.

It's a new year, and Johnson likely has the early edge over Carlos Sanchez for the starting job at second.

“Last year, I wasn't healthy all year really,” said Johnson, who hit .275 in 65 games with Class AA Birmingham in 2014 and .329 in 37 games with AA Birmingham. “I got hurt in May. If I would have come up then (September), I might have lost a job because I wouldn't have performed well. Now I'm 100 percent ready, healthy and stronger.”

Sanchez got a look last season and didn't make much of a first impression with a .250/.269/.300 hitting line.

“The scenario does entail one of the kids winning the everyday job at second and holding that down for the better part of the next decade,” Hahn said. “Obviously, we need to be prepared for contingencies and things not necessarily working out the way we see fit.”

If Johnson and Sanchez both flop, the White Sox could turn to Emilio Bonifacio or Gordon Beckham, who is back on a one-year contract after being traded to the Angels last August.

Fifth starter

Hector Noesi heads into spring training with the job after making 27 starts for the White Sox last season and holding his own at 8-12 with a 4.75 ERA.

But when rookie Carlos Rodon is ready to join the rotation — and it might not be until around June for salary arbitration and experience reasons — he is going to start for the White Sox.

“Ultimately we view Carlos Rodon as a member of our rotation,” Hahn said. “But how he gets there, whether it's through making starts in the minors and then joining the rotation in Chicago or a stint in the bullpen similar to Chris Sale or Mark Buehrle, we'll decide in March or April.”

Bullpen

The White Sox typically carry seven relief pitchers, and new closer David Robertson, Zach Duke, Dan Jennings, Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam enter spring training as locks.

Javy Guerra and Daniel Webb are good bets to grab the final two spots, but a healthy Jesse Crain and/or Matt Albers could break camp with the Sox.

Catcher

Tyler Flowers tied for fourth (with Adam Dunn) in the American League with 159 strikeouts last season, and he also had a poor .297 on-base percentage.

But his 15 home runs and 50 RBI was solid production from the bottom of the order, and Flowers has a promising base to build on after batting .268 with 5 homers and 9 RBI in September.

He remains the White Sox' No. 1 catcher, but newcomers Geovany Soto and George Kottaras will push for playing time.

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