Injuries And Defensive Woes Continue To Define The Chicago White Sox

At the beginning of the season, most MLB analysts felt the Chicago White Sox would easily defend their 2021 American League Central Division Championship.

So far, the White Sox momentum to repeat as division champs has been derailed by sloppy play, fielding errors and a massive number of injuries.

During the course of the MLB season, every team suffers injuries. Surviving those injuries with organizational depth at every position is the primary component for overcoming the negative impact of injuries. The White Sox have been forced to tap into their farm system, particularly to cover pitching injuries.

With a record of 35-39 at the start of play July 1, the White Sox sit in 3rd place, 5.5 games behind the division leading Minnesota Twins.

Injury Issues:

During the month of June, the following members of the White Sox spent time on the MLB Injured List:

Eloy Jimenez-starting outfielder (strained hamstring)

Yasmani Grandal-starting catcher (lower back spasms)

Yoan Moncada-starting third baseman (strained hamstring)

Danny Mendick-platoon infielder (torn knee ligament)

Adam Engel-platoon outfielder (strained hamstring)

Vince Velasquez-starter and reliever (groin injury)

Aaron Bummer-left-handed reliever (strained lat)

Kyle Crick-right handed reliever (elbow inflammation)

Garrett Crochet-left handed reliever (Tommy John surgery)

Liam Hendriks-right handed reliever and closer (strained forearm)

Some of those players have recently returned, and some are in the process of returning.

The impact of those injuries takes on greater impact when viewed collectively as a group. Few teams can endure the loss of that many players.

The June list is only the most recent of the White Sox injury woes.

Starting pitcher Lucas Giolito was on the Injured List in April with abdominal tightness. He is back pitching now.

Shortstop Tim Anderson, a true team leader, missed time with a groin injury.

Starter Lance Lynn didn’t make his first start of the season until June 13. He had been disabled since spring training with a slight tear in his knee.

Star outfielder Luis Robert is feeling the impact of sore legs. He is trying his best to play through the pain.

Veteran first baseman Jose Abreu is also dealing with leg soreness.

And if that isn’t enough, pitcher Michael Kopech had to be removed from a recent game when he hurt his knee. His situation has to be closely monitored.

Fielding Issues:

While one can understand the toll injuries have taken on the White Sox, it is much more difficult to reconcile the sloppy defensive play that has plagued the team.

As of this writing, fangraphs.com lists the White Sox with 53 errors, placing them along with the Baltimore Orioles for the most in the American League.

Shortstop Tim Anderson has made 10 errors in 48 games played, with many of them coming on poor throws. He has already equaled his error total for all of 2021.

While he has provided some much needed offense when he’s in the lineup, replacement third baseman Jake Burger made six errors in 37 games when he filled in for the injured Yoan Moncada.

While those two position players stand out regarding their high error totals, the White Sox have played sloppy baseball in general. Since the season began, there have been misplays that have hurt the club.

Misplays in the field happen. However, the current White Sox roster is dealing with unforced errors. They happen when players don’t set their feet properly, try to unnecessarily backhand balls, and/or rush their throws. Errors happen when a player is slow to get to a ground ball, requiring him to execute the play quickly. That often causes the ball to be bobbled, or the player makes a hasty, wild throw.

Not all inconsistent play shows up in the box score. Misplays have taken place because some players are being used outside their normal positions. Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets are normally first basemen. However, they have been deployed in the outfield to keep their bats in the lineup and to cover outfielder injuries. Both Vaughn and Sheets don’t have the experience or the range of a regular outfielder. Playing the outfield is a work in progress for both.

According to baseballreference.com, in his minor league development, Andrew Vaughn played one game in the outfield, compared to 37 games defensively at first base. Sheets played 26 games in the outfield, compared to 314 at first base.

Vaughn is having a terrific season at the plate. But even he is dealing with leg issues, and manager Tony La Russa is giving him a couple nights of rest.

Like all teams, the White Sox make their share of throws to the wrong base. They have their share of times when they miss the cutoff man. That happens. Those items don’t show up in the box score. However, the White Sox shaky defense can ill afford mental errors.

Tony La Russa Issues:

One can’t tell the story of the Chicago White Sox position in the standings without discussing the impact of manager Tony La Russa.

La Russa, 77, is in year No. 37 as a big league manager.

Manager La Russa was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 by the Hall of Fame Veteran’s Committee. He came out of working in the front office of the Los Angeles Angels to take over the White Sox dugout in 2021,

From the moment White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf selected La Russa to manage his club, controversy has surrounded his presence.

La Russa has been criticized for his handling of his pitching staff, his lineup construction, his in-game management, and his knowledge of today’s baseball rules and culture.

Fans have been vociferous in their criticism, even turning to booing him recently at home games and shouting “Fire Tony” from the stands.

Members of his team have been very supportive of La Russa. Some, like Abreu and Anderson, have praised him publicly. Abreu said this to MLB.com, “I can tell you as a person, as a leader, he’s all that you can ask for in a manager.”

Regardless of what fans feel about La Russa as the manager, he is signed thru 2023. To this writer’s thinking, it would be very difficult for Mr. Reinsdorf to dismiss La Russa prior to the end of his contract. Reinsdorf approved the dismissal of La Russa, his manager from 1979-1986, when White Sox Executive Vice President Ken Harrelson fired La Russa.

Jerry Reinsdorf has stated publicly he felt firing Tony La Russa in 1986 was a huge mistake. In essence, Reinsdorf has tried to correct the mistake by giving La Russa another chance to manage his team. If there is a change of manager from Tony La Russa, it may require La Russa deciding to retire prior to the expiration of his contract.

Conclusions:

While Tony La Russa is clearly part of the greater Chicago White Sox picture being drawn so far this season, he is far from the focal point of their current position in the standings.

The White Sox have endured a massive number of debilitating injuries, causing them to dip into their farm system often, use some players out of position, and try to cobble together a viable roster of players capable of winning.

Compounding the injuries, the White Sox have played sloppy defense and have allowed games to slip away due to errors and mental mistakes.

While the White Sox have a capable offense, their ability to score one more run than their opponent every game is severely impacted by their injuries and their own miscues.

However, Minnesota and Cleveland would be wise not to dismiss Chicago.

The White Sox still have a very capable baseball team.

With more than half a season remaining in the MLB season, the White Sox are far from eliminated from contention in the MLB Central. They do, however, have to play better and hope their regular players return healthy from their injuries and play to their high expectations.