If those are the three main areas of need for the White Sox this winter, where can they turn to fill them?
Hahn mentioned “internal candidates” for all three spots, though the attractiveness of those options varies.
The most obvious solution from inside the organization is Andrew Vaughn, the heavy-hitting top prospect who could slide right in at DH. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be swatting in the cleanup spot on Opening Day. He’s still just 22 years old and went a full year without playing in any minor league games. But dating back to “Summer Camp” in July, he looked impressive swinging against the White Sox big league arms, with staff ace Lucas Giolito describing Vaughn and the then yet-to-be-called-up Nick Madrigal as “a pain in my ass.”
Vaughn could get the Madrigal treatment, called up a little bit into the 2021 season, and obviously the evaluation process will be different with just 55 minor league games on his resume. But it’s expected he’ll reach the majors in 2021 and could play a role as big as the team’s everyday DH for the majority of the campaign.
“The only reason I would give any hesitation to saying similar projections on him like I did with (Luis) Robert or Madrigal … is just the absence of a minor league season this year,” Hahn said. “I think if Andrew had had daily competition outside of what we're able to do (at the team’s alternate training site) in Schaumburg, it would have been evident to everyone that he was ready for next year, if not sooner. That was just sort of a mild casualty of the pandemic.
“But the skills are there, tools continue to grow. He's a remarkable hitter and real solid makeup and a guy we envision being part of this thing in the not too distant future. The only hesitation is that he didn't get a chance to play 120 games last year against outside competition.”
As for the other spots, the internal candidates in right field would figure to be the guys who manned the spot in 2020. Nomar Mazara didn’t live up to the team’s hopes after it acquired him in a December trade. Adam Engel was a pleasant surprise and might have earned a shot at more regular at-bats. Leury García always brings versatility. There aren’t any obvious prospects like Vaughn to just plug into this spot.
In the starting rotation, Dylan Cease, Dane Dunning and Michael Kopech would figure to make up the Nos. 3 through 5 spots if the 2021 season started today. The White Sox have plenty of confidence that all three will blossom into high quality major league arms. They also have immediate championship aspirations and would be interested in, as Hahn said, a little more certainty.