CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Sandy Alomar (CA, 35, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CLE 117 409 96 26 2 6 45 44 18 45 235 270 352 0 3 1999 CLE 37 137 42 13 0 6 19 25 4 23 307 322 533 0 1 2000 CLE 97 356 103 16 2 7 44 42 16 41 289 324 404 2 2

Sandy Alomar (CA, 35, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CLE 117 409  96 26  2  6  45  44  18  45  235 270 352   0   3
 1999     CLE  37 137  42 13  0  6  19  25   4  23  307 322 533   0   1
 2000     CLE  97 356 103 16  2  7  44  42  16  41  289 324 404   2   2

Alomar managed to play 95 games behind the plate, and avoid major injury. I wasn't expecting him to play that much behind the plate, and I wouldn't expect it in the future, though the White Sox have signed him, apparently hoping that he will replace Charles Johnson. He's still a good hitter, but he's an aging catcher with bad, bad knees.

Harold Baines (DH, 42, L/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 BAL 104 293 88 17 0 9 40 57 32 40 300 369 451 0 0 1999 BAL-CLE 135 430 134 18 1 25 62 103 54 48 312 387 533 1 2 2000 BAL-CHW 96 283 72 13 0 11 26 39 36 50 254 338 417 0 0

Harold Baines (DH, 42, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BAL 104 293  88 17  0  9  40  57  32  40  300 369 451   0   0
 1999 BAL-CLE 135 430 134 18  1 25  62 103  54  48  312 387 533   1   2
 2000 BAL-CHW  96 283  72 13  0 11  26  39  36  50  254 338 417   0   0

Baines struggled last season, and may finally be showing his age. He is very close to some important milestones; he needs 145 hits to reach 3000, and 16 homers to reach 400. He'll get another chance to play, and who knows? I'm not quite ready to declare his career over.

James Baldwin (30, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CHW 13 6 37 24 1 0 0 159 176 60 108 532 1999 CHW 12 13 35 33 1 0 0 199 219 81 123 510 2000 CHW 14 7 29 28 2 1 0 178 185 59 116 465

Baldwin had an outstanding start to the season, but began to experience shoulder problems during the summer. He was shut down in September, then came back to make one start during the playoffs and pitched well. His season ended a string of three years of disappointing performance, yet he remains a question mark. There's no doubt that he can pitch, but he lacks both consistency and good health, and probably will struggle through this season.

Lorenzo Barcelo (24, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1999 R-A 3 1 10 10 0 0 0 48 39 6 63 189 1999 AA 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 20 14 6 14 360 2000 AAA 5 6 17 17 0 0 0 99 114 17 62 426 2000 CHW 4 2 22 1 0 0 0 39 34 9 26 369

Lorenzo Barcelo (24, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1999     R-A   3   1  10 10  0  0  0  48  39   6  63 189
 1999      AA   0   0   4  4  0  0  0  20  14   6  14 360
 2000     AAA   5   6  17 17  0  0  0  99 114  17  62 426
 2000     CHW   4   2  22  1  0  0  0  39  34   9  26 369

A tremendous young pitching prospect. Barcelo has risen quickly through the White Sox' system, and was starring with the big club late in the year. He may start the year in Chicago's starting rotation, and he has a solid chance of having a good year.

Rocky Biddle (25, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 A 4 5 16 16 0 0 0 83 92 45 72 457 2000 AA 11 6 23 23 2 2 0 146 138 54 118 308 2000 CHW 1 2 4 4 0 0 0 23 31 8 7 834

Biddle is a young White Sox prospect who spent most of the year at Birmingham, and also made some emergency starts with Chicago late in the summer. He hadn't looked like much of a pitcher before last year, but now has to be considered a decent prospect. Like Lorenzo Barcelo, Matt Ginter and Mark Buerhle, he is another reason to be optimistic about the White Sox' future.

Mark Buehrle (22, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1999 A 7 4 20 14 1 1 3 99 105 16 91 410 2000 AA 8 4 16 16 1 1 0 119 95 17 68 228 2000 CHW 4 1 28 3 0 0 0 51 55 19 37 421

Buehrle is a very young pitcher with the White Sox who looks very good. He began the year at Birmingham, dominated for three months, then was called up to Chicago in July and continued to pitched well. As good as he looks, I hate to see kids this young rushed to the majors. If I were the White Sox, I would send Buerhle back to Charlotte for at least four months, let get some more experience and build some strength in his arm, then maybe call him up again around August.

McKay Christensen (OF, 26, L/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 A 95 361 103 17 6 4 69 32 53 54 285 391 399 20 10 1999 AA 75 293 85 8 6 3 53 28 31 46 290 372 389 18 6 2000 AAA 90 337 89 13 2 6 49 29 32 51 264 325 368 28 6 1999 CHW 28 53 12 1 0 1 10 6 4 7 226 271 302 1 0 2000 CHW 32 19 2 0 0 0 4 1 2 6 105 227 105 1 1

McKay Christensen (OF, 26, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998       A  95 361 103 17  6  4  69  32  53  54  285 391 399  20  10
 1999      AA  75 293  85  8  6  3  53  28  31  46  290 372 389  18   6
 2000     AAA  90 337  89 13  2  6  49  29  32  51  264 325 368  28   6
 1999     CHW  28  53  12  1  0  1  10   6   4   7  226 271 302   1   0
 2000     CHW  32  19   2  0  0  0   4   1   2   6  105 227 105   1   1

Christensen has made slowwwwww progress through the White Sox' system, and last year he struggled at Charlotte. He can run and take a walk; in a couple of years he will probably have a good year at Charlotte or somewhere else, and land a job as the 25th man on someone's roster.

Royce Clayton (SS, 31, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 STL-TEX 142 541 136 31 2 9 89 53 53 83 251 319 366 24 11 1999 TEX 133 465 134 21 5 14 69 52 39 100 288 346 445 8 6 2000 TEX 148 513 124 21 5 14 70 54 42 92 242 301 384 11 7

Royce Clayton (SS, 31, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998 STL-TEX 142 541 136 31  2  9  89  53  53  83  251 319 366  24  11
 1999     TEX 133 465 134 21  5 14  69  52  39 100  288 346 445   8   6
 2000     TEX 148 513 124 21  5 14  70  54  42  92  242 301 384  11   7

Clayton had one of his weakest seasons at the plate, then was signed after the season by the White Sox. Apparently, he will replace Jose Valentin at short. In the field, he will commit fewer errors than Valentin, but won't cover as much ground. At bat, he is adequate at best, and last year was pretty lousy.

Joe Crede (3B, 23, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 A 137 492 155 32 3 20 92 88 53 98 315 387 514 9 7 1999 AA 74 291 73 14 1 4 37 42 22 47 251 303 347 2 6 2000 AA 138 533 163 35 0 21 84 94 56 111 306 384 490 3 4

Joe Crede (3B, 23, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998       A 137 492 155 32  3 20  92  88  53  98  315 387 514   9   7
 1999      AA  74 291  73 14  1  4  37  42  22  47  251 303 347   2   6
 2000      AA 138 533 163 35  0 21  84  94  56 111  306 384 490   3   4

Crede is a young third baseman whom the White Sox have pegged as a future Robin Ventura-type player. He looks terrific, will probably hit .300 with power in the future, as if the White Sox don't have enough young guys who can do that already. Crede will likely spend most of the year at Charlotte; he needs a little more experience, and the White Sox already have more than enough infielders.

Ray Durham (2B, 29, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CHW 158 635 181 35 8 19 126 67 73 105 285 363 455 36 9 1999 CHW 153 612 181 30 8 13 109 60 73 105 296 373 435 34 11 2000 CHW 151 614 172 35 9 17 121 75 75 105 280 361 450 25 13

Ray Durham (2B, 29, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CHW 158 635 181 35  8 19 126  67  73 105  285 363 455  36   9
 1999     CHW 153 612 181 30  8 13 109  60  73 105  296 373 435  34  11
 2000     CHW 151 614 172 35  9 17 121  75  75 105  280 361 450  25  13

As far as second basemen go, Durham is ridiculously durable and consistent. He now has five straight years with 150+ games played, something you rarely see from a young pivot. And did I mention he was consisent? Durham is a solid, quality player who puts up a lot of runs on the board, though his defense is probably still below-average.

Cal Eldred (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 MIL 4 8 23 23 0 0 0 133 157 61 86 480 1999 MIL 2 8 20 15 0 0 0 82 101 46 60 779 2000 CHW 10 2 20 20 2 1 0 112 103 59 97 458

The White Sox were desperate for help in their starting rotation, so they took a chance on Eldred. He pitched remarkably well before he was stopped by "ulnar neuritis" in his right elbow. The season was pretty much lost after that, though he tried to make a comeback late in the year after having a screw inserted in the elbow. I feel uncomfortable saying that he is finished, because I have said it before and I have been wrong, but really; that arm has got to be just about done.

Keith Foulke (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CHW 3 2 54 0 0 0 1 65 51 20 57 413 1999 CHW 3 3 67 0 0 0 9 105 72 21 123 222 2000 CHW 3 1 72 0 0 0 34 88 66 22 91 297

Foulke had an awesome start to the season, slumped a bit in mid-summer, but still finished the year with great numbers. He's one of the best relievers in the league, and he could be the AL's top closer in 2001.

Jon Garland (22, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 A 5 11 24 24 1 0 0 134 160 58 89 510 1999 A 5 7 19 19 2 1 0 119 109 39 84 333 1999 AA 3 1 7 7 0 0 0 39 39 18 27 438 2000 AAA 9 2 16 16 2 1 0 104 99 32 63 226 2000 CHW 4 8 15 13 0 0 0 70 82 40 42 646

Jon Garland (22, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998       A   5  11  24 24  1  0  0 134 160  58  89 510
 1999       A   5   7  19 19  2  1  0 119 109  39  84 333
 1999      AA   3   1   7  7  0  0  0  39  39  18  27 438
 2000     AAA   9   2  16 16  2  1  0 104  99  32  63 226
 2000     CHW   4   8  15 13  0  0  0  70  82  40  42 646

Garland pitched very well at Charlotte last season, the best performance of his career. He then was called up by the White Sox, and struggled. He's a very good young prospect, but he needs at least another three months in the minors.

Matt Ginter (23, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1999 A 4 2 9 9 0 0 0 40 38 19 29 405 2000 AA 11 8 27 26 0 0 0 180 153 60 126 225

Another young White Sox pitcher who had a great year at Birmingham in 2000. Ginter is very young and is a terrific prospect; he will start the year at Charlotte, but the White Sox hope he will be helping their team before too long.

Tony Graffanino (IF, 29, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 ATL 105 289 61 14 1 5 32 22 24 68 211 275 318 1 4 1999 TAM 39 130 41 9 4 2 20 19 9 22 315 364 492 3 2 2000 TAM-CHW 70 168 46 6 1 2 33 17 22 27 274 363 357 7 4

Tony Graffanino (IF, 29, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     ATL 105 289  61 14  1  5  32  22  24  68  211 275 318   1   4
 1999     TAM  39 130  41  9  4  2  20  19   9  22  315 364 492   3   2
 2000 TAM-CHW  70 168  46  6  1  2  33  17  22  27  274 363 357   7   4

Shortly after grabbing Herb Perry from the Devil Rays, the White Sox went out and got Graffanino too. Tony has recovered nicely from a disastrous 1998 season; he's a good bench player who can contribute at the plate, and play good defense at all of the infield positions. He should be stick around in the same role for years.

Ken Hill (35, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 ANA 9 6 19 19 0 0 0 103 123 47 57 498 1999 ANA 4 11 26 22 0 0 0 128 129 76 76 477 2000 ANA-CHW 5 8 18 17 0 0 0 82 107 59 50 716

There's no reason to think that Hill will ever pitch well again.

Bob Howry (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CHW 0 3 44 0 0 0 9 54 37 19 51 315 1999 CHW 5 3 69 0 0 0 28 68 58 38 80 359 2000 CHW 2 4 65 0 0 0 7 71 54 29 60 317

What an impressive year he had. Howry was the closer in 1999, but last year lost the job to Keith Foulke. No problem; all Howry did was improve his control, pitch some great baseball, and fill in when Foulke was experiencing problems in the summer. It doesn't really matter who the closer is; the Foulke/Howry combo is one of those scarily good bullpen tandems you see every once in a while, like Wetteland/Rivera, Henke/Ward and Dibble/Myers.
Wait a minute; those guys all won a World Series. Can Foulke/Howry do the same for the White Sox? Hmmmmm, that may be a bit of a stretch of the imagination.

Mark Johnson (CA, 26, L/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AA 117 382 108 17 3 9 68 59 105 72 283 443 414 0 1 1999 CHW 73 207 47 11 0 4 27 16 36 58 227 344 338 3 1 2000 CHW 75 213 48 11 0 3 29 23 27 40 225 315 319 3 2

Mark Johnson (CA, 26, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      AA 117 382 108 17  3  9  68  59 105  72  283 443 414   0   1
 1999     CHW  73 207  47 11  0  4  27  16  36  58  227 344 338   3   1
 2000     CHW  75 213  48 11  0  3  29  23  27  40  225 315 319   3   2

Johnson is a young catcher with the White Sox who is supposed to be able to hit. But last year he performed poorly for the second straight year, forcing the Sox to go out and acquire Charles Johnson. With the veteran gone, Johnson may get another chance to prove himself; though I think he can do better, I can't ignore a lifetime .219 average. He should make the most of his chances.

Paul Konerko (1B, 25, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 LA-CIN 75 217 47 4 0 7 21 29 16 40 217 276 332 0 1 1999 CHW 142 513 151 31 4 24 71 81 45 68 294 352 511 1 0 2000 CHW 143 524 156 31 1 21 84 97 47 72 298 363 481 1 0

Paul Konerko (1B, 25, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998  LA-CIN  75 217  47  4  0  7  21  29  16  40  217 276 332   0   1
 1999     CHW 142 513 151 31  4 24  71  81  45  68  294 352 511   1   0
 2000     CHW 143 524 156 31  1 21  84  97  47  72  298 363 481   1   0

Konerko settled in as the regular first baseman in Chicago. He had almost the same season that he had in 1999; I would have liked to see him make some improvements, but he still has time for that. He's very similar to Carlos Lee: a terrific young hitter who is going to hit .300 and will likely add more power as he gets older.

Carlos Lee (LF, 25, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AA 138 549 166 33 2 21 77 106 39 55 302 350 485 11 5 1999 CHW 127 492 144 32 2 16 66 84 13 72 293 312 463 4 2 2000 CHW 152 572 172 29 2 24 107 92 38 94 301 345 484 13 4

Carlos Lee (LF, 25, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      AA 138 549 166 33  2 21  77 106  39  55  302 350 485  11   5
 1999     CHW 127 492 144 32  2 16  66  84  13  72  293 312 463   4   2
 2000     CHW 152 572 172 29  2 24 107  92  38  94  301 345 484  13   4

Another one of the White Sox' good young players, Lee had an impressive sophomore season. He's a big guy who is developing more power as he grows; I expect him to top the 30-homer mark before too long.

Jeff Liefer (OF, 27, L/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 127 471 137 33 6 21 84 89 60 125 291 381 520 1 2 1999 AAA 46 171 58 17 1 9 36 34 21 26 339 412 608 2 1 2000 AAA 120 445 125 29 1 32 75 91 53 107 281 356 566 2 3 1999 CHW 45 113 28 7 1 0 8 14 8 28 248 295 327 2 0 2000 CHW 5 11 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 182 182 182 0 0

Jeff Liefer (OF, 27, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA 127 471 137 33  6 21  84  89  60 125  291 381 520   1   2
 1999     AAA  46 171  58 17  1  9  36  34  21  26  339 412 608   2   1
 2000     AAA 120 445 125 29  1 32  75  91  53 107  281 356 566   2   3
 1999     CHW  45 113  28  7  1  0   8  14   8  28  248 295 327   2   0
 2000     CHW   5  11   2  0  0  0   0   0   0   4  182 182 182   0   0

Liefer appears to be a hitter. He's got nothing left to prove at Charlotte, but there's also no room for him to play in Chicago. He has to hope that some team looking for an inexpensive, power-hitting outfielder takes an interest in him.

Sean Lowe (30, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AAA 12 8 25 21 0 0 0 153 147 61 114 318 1999 CHW 4 1 64 0 0 0 0 96 90 46 62 367 2000 CHW 4 1 50 5 0 0 0 71 78 39 53 548

Lowe struggled last year; he went on the DL in August with an inflamed right shoulder, which probably contributed to his woes on the mound. Even if he comes back healthy, he doesn't throw enough strikes to be a consistently successful pitcher.

Magglio Ordonez (RF, 27, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CHW 145 535 151 25 2 14 70 65 28 53 282 326 415 9 7 1999 CHW 157 624 188 34 3 30 100 117 47 64 301 349 510 13 6 2000 CHW 153 588 185 34 3 32 102 126 60 64 315 371 546 18 4

Magglio Ordonez (RF, 27, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CHW 145 535 151 25  2 14  70  65  28  53  282 326 415   9   7
 1999     CHW 157 624 188 34  3 30 100 117  47  64  301 349 510  13   6
 2000     CHW 153 588 185 34  3 32 102 126  60  64  315 371 546  18   4

The White Sox have a lot of good young players, but Ordonez is probably the best. He hits for average, has good power, runs the basepaths well, and has a strong throwing arm. He's one of the best players at his position, and he should be entering his prime years.

Antonio Osuna (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 LA 7 1 54 0 0 0 6 64 50 32 72 306 1999 LA 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 5 4 3 5 771 2000 LA 3 6 46 0 0 0 0 67 57 35 70 374

Osuna recovered from elbow surgery and had a fine season. He's an outstanding young pitcher whose capable of having a dominant year in the bullpen... but his elbow just doesn't seem right. I expect a Gregg Olson-type career, with flashes or brilliance mixed in with frustration.

Jim Parque (25, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CHW 7 5 21 21 0 0 0 113 135 49 77 510 1999 CHW 9 15 31 30 1 0 0 174 210 79 111 513 2000 CHW 13 6 33 32 0 0 0 187 208 71 111 428

He was good, but he was also lucky. The White Sox scored a bunch of runs for Parque and helped him win a lot of games in which he really didn't pitch well. But he also had some good starts, and was among the league leaders in ERA for much of the season. I'm not crazy about Parque; I don't think he can continue to pitch like he did last year and get away with it. He needs to start throwing more strikes, and he might; he's still very young.

Josh Paul (CA, 26, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998       A 123 444 113 20  7 11  66  63  38  91  255 319 405  20   8
 1999      AA  93 319  89 19  3  4  47  42  29  68  279 345 395   6   6
 2000     AAA  51 168  40  5  1  4  28  19  13  38  238 299 351   6   2
 2000     CHW  36  71  20  3  2  1  15   8   5  17  282 338 423   1   0

Paul is a young catcher with the White Sox; he doesn't look like a guy who will ever hit much, though he performed well late in the season with Chicago. I will grant you that he appears to be a good athlete, and may hit better in the future than expected, but I think his potential is limited; if everything turns out right, he might turn into Joe Girardi.

Herbert Perry (3B, 32, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 TAM 66 209 53 10 1 6 29 32 16 42 254 331 397 0 0 2000 TAM-CHW 116 411 124 30 1 12 71 62 24 75 302 350 467 4 1

Perry was released by the Devil Rays in April, and was quickly signed by the White Sox. He ended up being their regular third baseman. He has always been a good hitter; though he's a big man, he also played well in the field. He's a good player, but unfortunately is also the owner of a pair of bad knees.

Julio Ramirez (OF, 24, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998       A 135 559 156 20 12 13  90  58  45 147  279 336 428  71  27
 1999      AA 138 568 148 30 10 13  87  64  39 150  261 308 417  64  14
 2000     AAA  94 350  93 18  3  7  45  52  21  86  266 310 394  20  14

Ramirez was hot stuff a year ago, but by the end of last season was dealt for Jeff Abbott. What happened? Well, he was never that great a prospect to begin with; he has some power as well as blinding speed, but he strikes out a huge number of times. Last year he had problems with his quad muscles; he missed some games at Calgary, and didn't run well. His status as a "five-tool player" may help him to continue to get chances, but I don't think it's realistic to expect to ever become a good player.

Bill Simas (29, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CHW 4 3 60 0 0 0 18 70 54 22 56 357 1999 CHW 6 3 70 0 0 0 2 72 73 32 41 375 2000 CHW 2 3 60 0 0 0 0 68 69 22 49 346

Simas is a good pitcher, stays healthy, throws strikes, gets people out. He's a great guy to have on your team when Foulke and Howry are tired.

Chris Singleton (CF, 29, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA 121 413 105 17 10  6  55  45  27  78  254 304 387   9   3
 1999     CHW 133 496 149 31  6 17  72  72  22  45  300 328 490  20   5
 2000     CHW 147 511 130 22  5 11  83  62  35  85  254 301 382  22   7

Singleton's performance in 2000 was not, in my opinion, a sophomore slump, but his real level of ability. He is a fine defensive outfielder, but he's not a good hitter, and he's not going to improve. He may perform a little better in 2001, but I will be surprised if he hits .300 again, or even comes close.

Frank Thomas (DH, 33, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CHW 160 585 155 35  2 29 109 109 110  93  265 381 480   7   0
 1999     CHW 135 486 148 36  0 15  74  77  87  66  305 414 471   3   3
 2000     CHW 159 582 191 44  0 43 115 143 112  94  328 436 625   1   3

Thomas almost won an MVP Award, which I guess was a surprise to all the scouts who were saying that his bat had slowed down. He's one of the best hitters in baseball history, and that deserves respect; I would certainly expect Thomas to remain an MVP candidate in 2001.

Jose Valentin (SS, 31, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     MIL 151 428  96 24  0 16  65  49  63 105  224 323 393  10   7
 1999     MIL  89 256  58  9  5 10  45  38  48  52  227 347 418   3   2
 2000     CHW 144 568 155 37  6 25 107  92  59 106  273 343 491  19   2

The White Sox took a chance on Valentin, and he was a big reason for their success in 2000. He was one of the best power-hitting shortstops in the league, and he had a great year as a base stealer too. In the field, Valentin was his usual self, making 36 errors while providing good range at short.
I'm not sure what to think about Valentin in 2001. I like him, but he hasn't been very consistent in the past. To make matters more complicated, the White Sox have acquired Royce Clayton to play at short; where Valentin will play is anyone's guess. I've heard that he could be used as a utility player; can he be the new Tony Phillips? I guess we'll see.

Kip Wells (24, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1999       A   5   6  14 14  0  0  0  86  78  34  95 357
 1999      AA   8   2  11 11  0  0  0  70  49  31  44 294
 2000     AAA   5   3  12 12  2  1  0  62  67  27  38 537
 1999     CHW   4   1   7  7  0  0  0  36  33  15  29 404
 2000     CHW   6   9  20 20  0  0  0  99 126  58  71 602

Wells has almost no professional experience, yet the White Sox have decided to rush him into their starting rotation. He has pitched very badly, and needs to spend at least a few months at Charlotte to get some confidence back.

David Wells (38, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 NYY 18 4 30 30 8 5 0 214 195 29 163 349 1999 TOR 17 10 34 34 7 1 0 232 246 62 169 482 2000 TOR 20 8 35 35 9 1 0 230 266 31 166 411

Wells will be 38 this season; he's overweight and he has a sore back and also a gout problem, but his record the past four seasons is in a class of its own. We should expect him to continue to pitch well, until he proves that he can't.

Kelly Wunsch (29, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA-AAA 8 7 26 25 1 1 9 153 180 46 106 524 1999 AA-AAA 6 2 38 2 0 0 0 92 92 37 55 322 2000 CHW 6 3 83 0 0 0 1 61 50 29 51 293

I think that most people were expecting the White Sox to have a good bullpen in 2000, but having this guy was a bonus. Wunsch has made a very successful transition into a one-out left-handed reliever; last year, he held southpaws to a .160 batting average. In the past, he had been used almost exclusively as a starter; now he warms up in every other game, and that kind of adjustment can hurt a pitcher's arm.