White Sox open Cactus League play with high hopes
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The White Sox have been waiting a long time for Saturday.
They took their lumps while rebuilding the last three years, haven't had a winning season in seven years and haven't been to the playoffs since 2008.
Better days lie ahead this season, and it starts Saturday with a Cactus League game against the Angels at Camelback Ranch.
"I'm very happy right now," said Rick Renteria, who is in his fourth year as Sox manager. "The task is not complete, but there is a satisfaction. It's like seeing your kids grow up. There are a lot of ups and downs that go along with it, some tears and some great laughter and some great harmony and joy. But all in all, I think everybody should be happy with the direction that the organization has gone since the inception of the changeover."
Here are five things to watch as the White Sox move into the exhibition season:
Top heavy
Like the rival Cubs, the top of the Sox's lineup is solid with Tim Anderson leading off, followed by Yoan Moncada. Or Moncada leading off, followed by Anderson.
That's a dangerous duo.
Anderson rarely walks, so he's not a prototypical leadoff man. But he did win the American League batting title last season with a .335 average.
Moncada had a breakout year in 2019, finishing third in the AL with a .315 average.
Star search
Luis Robert is going to be the White Sox's starting center fielder this season, and the 22-year-old rookie has immense skills.
He batted leadoff last year in the minor leagues and could very well emerge at the top of the Sox's lineup.
Renteria doesn't want to put any added pressure on Robert at the start of the season, so he'll likely hit near the bottom of the order and work his way up.
Fifth fodder
Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez and Dylan Cease are currently the White Sox's top four starting pitchers, and Michael Kopech is likely going to join the rotation when he gets back in the flow.
Kopech missed the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Reynaldo Lopez is trying to claim the fifth starter's job coming out of camp. He has a power arm, but Lopez had the second-highest ERA (5.38) in the majors last year and has to earn the spot.
Lopez starts the Cactus League opener Saturday and has a chance to make a good early impression.
Dark horse
Zack Collins was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 draft, and he made his major-league debut last season.
The catcher was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte following a 1-for-21 slump, but Collins rejoined the Sox in September and was 14-for-60 (.233) with 2 home runs and 9 RBI.
Collins has impressive power from the left side, and with rosters expanding from 25 to 26 this year, he could land a spot and be used primarily as a pinch-hitter.
Health watch
Giolito (rib cage muscle strain) and Gonzalez (shoulder) are both expected to be ready for the regular season, but it's been a slow go for the duo in spring training.
On Saturday, Giolito is expected to throw his bullpen of the spring.