With Opening Day just a week away, ESPN has released a Top 100 ranking of MLB players right now.
A total of five White Sox players found their way on the list. They rank as follows:
- Dylan Cease (43)
- Tim Anderson (61)
- Luis Robert Jr. (92)
- Lucas Giolito (97)
- Eloy Jimenez (100)
To little surprise, Cease was the highest-ranked of the team’s representatives thanks to his long-awaited breakout season in 2022. The righty was the owner of a 14-8 record, 2.20 ERA (184.0 IP/45 ER), 227 strikeouts, 3.10 FIP, 1.109 WHIP, and 227 strikeouts in 32 starts. Despite being one of the more notable All-Star snubs, Cease finished the season ranked second among qualified AL starters in ERA, strikeouts, and opponents average (.190) and third in strikeouts per nine innings (11.10). A repeat performance will likely bump him up even higher on this list in the future.
As for the others, Anderson was ranked 61st overall and 10th among shortstops on the list. The reason for such a poor rating was directly tied to his health, though ESPN says he can regain a better position on the list with a strong 2023 campaign. The same goes for Robert Jr., who ESPN claims is “perhaps the most talented player to be this low on the top 100.” Giolito came in at 97th and Jimenez rounded out the list at 100 overall.
The White Sox were tied for eighth among teams leaguewide with their five players, joining the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners. As for the rest of the AL Central, here’s how division rivals were represented:
- Cleveland Guardians (Six players)
- Jose Ramirez (13)
- Shane Bieber (30)
- Andres Gimenez (48)
- Emmanuel Clase (59)
- Triston McKenzie (76)
- Steven Kwan (79)
- Minnesota Twins (Three players)
- Carlos Correa (24)
- Bryan Buxton (64)
- Pablo Lopez (77)
- Kansas City Royals (One player)
- Bobby Witt Jr. (69)
- Detroit Tigers (No players)
Other notable names to make the list include former White Sox players Carlos Rodon (34) and Jose Abreu (89).
As the season quickly approaches, be sure to follow us @SoxOn35th for more updates.
Featured Photo: © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports