Fantasy baseball preview: White Sox have Jose Abreu and a ton of prospects

As the 2018 fantasy baseball season approaches, we take a look at the biggest news and story lines from each club. We'll feature one team each weekday ... and we'll finish up on Feb. 16, the first day all teams will have their pitchers and catchers on the field for workouts.

Series index:  Schedule for all 2018 team previews

The White Sox began their full-scale rebuilding project last offseason, when they traded ace Chris Sale and outfielder Adam Eaton. Now some of the players acquired in those deals are ready to start contributing at the major league level. 

Although they made a few additions to the pitching staff this offseason, the South Siders are still a few impact players away from challenging for a playoff spot. 

2017 at a glance

Record: 67-95 (4th in AL Central)
Hitting: 23rd (4.36 R/G)
Pitching: 25th (4.78 ERA)
Park Factor, scoring: 15th (1.003)
Park factor, HR: 7th (1.162)

Arrivals

C Welington Castillo
SP Miguel Gonzalez
RP Joakim Soria 

Castillo parlayed a career-high 20 homers and a .282 average into a two-year deal with the White Sox. His presence will give prospect Zack Collins, 22, more time to develop in the minors. 

Gonzalez was a member of the White Sox before being traded to Texas in August. He returns to help fill out the Chicago rotation, but should be avoided in most all fantasy formats.

On a team with no established closer, Soria, 33, brings experience to the role -- even if he only has two saves since the 2015 season.

Players to watch

1B Jose Abreu
OF Avisail Garcia
SP Carlos Rodon

Abreu is the most potent bat in an otherwise non-threatening lineup. No matter what the supporting cast looks like, Abreu has been incredibly consistent throughout his four seasons with the Sox. Just put down a .300 average, 30 homers and 100 RBI in ink.

Garcia had a breakout year in 2017, hitting .330/.380/.506 with 18 homers. He's been maddeningly inconsistent throughout his career, but something just clicked at age 26. A .392 BABIP may have had something to do with it. 

Rodon had shoulder surgery last September and probably isn't going to be ready for opening day. He has that great combination of strikeouts and ground balls that fantasy owners covet. If he could just stay healthy ...

Sleepers

2B Yoan Moncada
SP Lucas Giolito

The former top overall prospect in the minors, Moncada, 22, got his first chance to play regularly in the second half of last year. He just started scratching the surface of his potential in September, hitting .276/.349/.469 with five homers in 98 at-bats. While he still strikes out a lot (32%), he hasn't even begun to steal bases in the majors -- after swiping 49 and 45 in the minors in 2015 and 2016.

Giolito struggled in his first taste of the majors with the Washington Nationals, but the White Sox had the luxury of giving him time to develop in the minors. He made 24 starts at Class AAA last season before getting called up in August for seven solid starts (2.38 ERA) with the Sox. The former first-round pick may be ready to assume his spot at the top of a major-league rotation.

Bullpen

Closer: Joakim Soria
Next: Juan Minaya

Despite a 3.70 ERA last season, Soria's FIP was just 2.27. He'll be a very low-cost closer if he carries the job into the regular season. 

After David Robertson (and others in the bullpen) were traded, Minaya converted nine of 10 save chances down the stretch. He struck out 51 batters in 43 2/3 innings (10.5 K/9), but had never been a strikeout pitcher before. 

Position battles

There's a three-way battle for two spots at third base and designated hitter. Matt Davidson was second on the team to Abreu in homers with 26, but hit only .220. Delmonico showed better plate patience (.373 OBP in 166 plate appearances). And Switch-hitter Yolmer Sanchez played mostly second base last season, but finished third on the team in WAR behind Abreu and Garcia.

The fourth and fifth spots in the rotation are also up for grabs this spring. With up-and-coming righty Reynaldo Lopez a solid favorite at No. 4. Carson Fulmer, 23, and Dylan Covey, 25, are also in the mix.

Prospects

OF Eloy Jimenez
SP Michael Kopech

While Moncada and Giolito have probably seen their last days in the minors, there's more talent in the pipeline. Jimenez, 21, was the Chicago Cubs' top prospect when he was acquired for left-hander Jose Quintana. He just reached the Class AA level last season.

Kopech, 21, can touch 100 mph on his fastball; he just needs to control where it's going just a little bit better. He averaged 11.2 K/9 at Class AA and AAA, but also walked 4.4 per nine. Another blue-chipper who should be in the 2019 rotation.

Projected batting order

1. CF Charlie Tilson
2. 2B Yoan Moncada
3. 1B Jose Abreu
4. RF Avisail Garcia
5. C Welington Castillo
6. DH Nicky Delmonico/Matt Davidson
7. SS Tim Anderson
8. LF Leury Garcia
9. 3B Yolmer Sanchez

Projected rotation

1. RHP James Shields
2. RHP Lucas Giolito
3. RHP Miguel Gonzalez
4. RHP Reynaldo Lopez
5. RHP Carson Fulmer