Projected Lineup
Scout.com has a story on the White Sox projected lineup for 2005. Here’s what is looks like, with the players PECOTA projections in parentheses:
1) Scott Podsednick CF (.278/.342/.416 with a VORP of 17.7 in 564 at bats)
Podsednick is your prototypical leadoff man. If he hits his PECOTA, he should be a solid table setter for the middle of the lineup.
2) Aaron Rowand LF (.290/.341/.482 with a VORP of 23.9 in 387 at bats)
Similar to Podsednick’s line, but with a little more punch, 60 extra base hits shouldn’t be out of the question.
3) Frank Thomas DH (.274/.399/.529 with a VORP of 30.3 in 274 at bats)
Always the key to the lineup, if the Big Hurt can play for most of the season, the White Sox will be in the hunt.
4) Paul Konerko 1b (.276/.353/.494 with a VORP of 25.9 in 473 at bats)
Konerko’s had a hard time putting together back to back solid seasons. This year he’s due for his off year.
5) Jermaine Dye RF (.256/.332/.449 with a VORP of 11.2 in 384 at bats)
This is where things get dicey. I thought they would have been much better off sticking with Ordonez. Instead we get the oft injured Dye, and at the fifth spot no less.
6) A.J. Pierzynski C (.277/.327/.430 with a VORP of 16.3 in 403 at bats)
The catcher who’s pitchers didn’t like throwing to in San Fran comes back to the AL Central. Hopefully he’ll hit his old club when the Twins come to town.
7) Juan Uribe SS (.269/.316/.444 with a VORP of 18.5 in 459 at bats)
If only Juan could repeat what he did last year. I’d like to see his strikeouts come down, but I’m not very hopeful.
Joe Crede 3b (.266/.321/.459 with a VORP of 11.0 in 432 at bats)
Is this year Mr. Potential finally comes through? My thoughts are yes. Expect Crede to finish somwhere around .280 and close to 30 homers. Other then Frank Thomas, Joe Crede is my favorite player.
9) Tadahito Iguchi (No Information)
I don’t know a lot about this guy other then what Aaron Gleeman over at Hardball Times wrote up.
With Carlos Lee’s departure, and Frank Thomas’ injuries, it could be a rough year. While I think Crede will finally break through, I also think Rowand will take a step back.
February 26th, 2005 at 11:42 pm
I think you’re a little too optimistic about Crede with 30 HRs. Iguchi has been dubbed by some as the Japanese Ray Durham, so I would look at Durham’s stats for an approximation of what he’d do. Everything I’ve seen has indicated that this is accurate. I predict he’s in the leadoff or 2 hole by the end of April (probably 2 unless Podsednik tanks).
As far as letting Crabblio go, don’t be too upset. That 7 year 105 million dollar contract might be one of the worse in baseball history for a team with as low of a payroll as the Tigers do.
February 27th, 2005 at 11:08 am
While I agree the contract isn’t worth it, he was our best hitter outside of Frank Thomas. Losing him creates a big hole in our lineup.
March 7th, 2005 at 3:10 am
Sure, I was dissapointed at losing Ordonez and Lee but as I began looking at this “new” team I saw a good deal of Scrappy players and my hope began to grow.
This team reminds me of the “59 Sox. Not any Great players , just Scrappy and Consistent ones!
All they need to do is be consistent every day, every game, and we will be in the show all season , quietly getting the job done.
I have a Good feeling they can do this.