[Sundance]

Jose Abreu - 1B - 36

How much is left in the tank? That’s the question I’ll be asking myself every year when it comes to Abreu. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a very good player. He won the AL MVP in the shortened 2020 season, he posted a combined 4.6 WAR between the White Sox and us in 2021, and a 3.5 WAR last season. And to be honest, there really aren’t very many better first baseman in the league than him. But he’s 36. At what point do we see the drop-off in his ability? His performance is going to play a huge role in our success. If he can perform like we hope, we should do well. If he does start to experience that drop off, then we might be in a bit of trouble.

Ha-Seong Kim - 2B - 27

2022 was an absolutely monster year for Kim. The question now is, can he maintain that level of production? .260-.270, 30+ doubles, and 25 HR is probably what we’re expecting out of the third year man. If he can reach those numbers, then we’ll probably see him make consecutive All-Star games and continue to feature as a cornerstone of our offense.

Manny Machado - 3B - 30

As a 6-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove winner, and 2-time Silver Slugger, Machado enters 2023 as our club’s most decorated player. He has improved steadily over the last three seasons, and there’s no reason to expect that progress to stall. 2022 was arguably his best season as a hitter and we saw him finish second in MVP voting. There’s no reason not to think that he should be in that conversation once again this season.

Fernando Tatis Jr. - SS - 24

What more can I possibly say about Tatis Jr.? To call 2022 a ridiculous year for Tatis Jr. is to undersell what he accomplished. He led the league in RBI and WAR on his way to his first MVP award. The first of what should be many more, I might add. El Nino is an absolute freak. Everything he does is much watch. The best part, and what should strike terror in the heart of the rest of the league is that he’s still just 24 and he still has room to grow.

Corey Dickerson - LF - 33, Ian Miller - CF - 31, Alex Verdugo - RF - 26

I hate to keep lumping these guys together, but it’s just easier to talk about them this way. If Abreu, Kim, Machado, and Tatis Jr. make up the high-powered engine of our lineup, then these three guys are the oil that keeps everything running smooth. Our big guns are going to win us plenty of games, but it’s the consistency of these three that are going to let us grind out wins. Their success is going to be vital to the team’s success.

James Paxton - SP - 34

2022 saw Paxton assume the role of our ace, and he lived up to that title. He throws four of the nastiest pitches in the league and should once again be among the best starters in the league. As long as he stays healthy, he should once again set the tone for the squad as we push towards another playoff appearance

Chris Paddack - SP - 27

Entering his fifth season, Paddack might be the biggest wild card in our starting rotation. We thought he had taken a major step forward in his career in 2021, but then 2022 saw him post very average numbers, and a partially torn labrum would force him to miss about half the season. At his best, we’ve seen him shut down and be an All-Star caliber starter. But at his worst, he’s very average. Which Paddack shows up this year will play a big role in how our season goes.

MacKenzie Gore - SP - 24

Gore was on his way to delivering an All-Star caliber season last year when the discovery of bone chips in his elbow shut him down for the year. Now healthy, Gore enters 2023 with a world of expectations thrust upon him. The bottom line is that with the absence of Snell and the departure of Lamet, we need someone on our staff to step up. We expect Gore will be that player.

Seth Elledge - RP - 26

Moving Elledge from potential starter to strictly bullpen appeared to be the right move as he was by far our most valuable arm coming out in relief last season. He posted a sub-1.00 WHIP with a 2.17 ERA and 2.1 WAR last year. He had premium stuff that will feature at the back end of our bullpen. He’s still developing his control, and if he can maximize his potential, he will have all the makings of a premiere closer.

Pierce Johnson - CL - 31

We made the decision to move away from Pomeranz as our closer at the end of last season, and Johnson was the beneficiary of that move. 2023 will be his first season where he will fully assume that role, so there will be plenty of pressure on the 31 year old. We need a solid presence at the back end of our staff. It was something that cost us late last year. If Johnson can perform as expected, it’ll bring us one step closer to catching our rivals to the north.

Prospect Watch 2023

SP Mackenzie Gore - MLB
SP Ryan Weathers - MLB
RP Nick Sandlin - MLB
C Luis Campusano - MLB
2B Tucupita Marcano - MLB
SS CJ Abrams - AAA
LF Robert Hassell III - AA
RF Andy Pages - A+
SP David Harrison - AA
SS Orelvis Martinez - R
SP Shuichiro Hotta - AAA
1B Blaze Jordan - A
2B Livan Soto - AA