3 White Sox Who Will Be Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2020
By Andrew Gullotta
With baseball approaching its return (hopefully!), the White Sox and their young talent are eager to get back on the field. Chicago is looking to take the next step in their rebuilding process, and contend in 2020.
To achieve this, the team will need a few young rookies to become impact players from the jump. Let's take a look at a few players who could be candidates for Rookie of the Year, and help Chicago return to contention.
3. 2B Nick Madrigal
After rising quickly through the minors, this Oregon State product is now looking to make his pro debut in 2020. He hit .331 in TripleA last season, and had an OBP of almost .400. Madrigal looks top become the perfect table setter for Chicago's sluggers this season. If he makes his debut soon, he will even out the lineup as a supreme contact hitter and should pair nicely with Jose Abreu and Edwin Encarnación
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2. P Michael Kopech
After recovering from Tommy John surgery, the hard-throwing right hander seems ready to make an impact for the White Sox. He did struggle through four starts in 2018, where he posted an ERA over 5.00, but he will hope to parlay that experience into a successful 2020. Throughout his minor league career, he averaged an 3.05 ERA and struck out over 500 batters in 84 starts. Hopefully, a year off helped Kopech, and he will return to dominating batters with his vicious fastball in 2020.
1. CF Luis Robert
Robert is looking to make his debut in the majors this season after playing at three levels in the minors last year. The top prospect from Cuba blasted 16 home runs through 47 games in Triple-A, and hit .328 throughout last season. The outfielder started Spring Training with a bang before it was delayed, as he hit .333. It seems like Robert is ready to take the next step in his career after succeeding at every level in the minors, and he'll be impossible to keep down. This kid is clearly Chicago's leading candidate for top rookie honors.