White Sox preseason capsule: After 121 losses, nowhere to go but up (probably)

Chicago White Sox

2024 record: 41-121 (5th place, AL Central)

He gone: LHP Garrett Crochet, 3B Yoan Moncada, INF/OF Gavin Sheets.

New faces: LHP Martin Perez, INF Josh Rojas, OF Mike Tauchman, OF Michael A. Taylor, RHP Bryse Wilson, Manager Will Venable.

Biggest question entering Opening Day: Which way is up? The White Sox set the modern major league record for futility in 2024, losing a single-season record 121 games after absorbing 101 defeats the previous season. Venable has talked a good game about pivoting from the past, but fulfilling that objective will present obstacles. Good thing for Chicago that Venable spent the past two seasons as associate manager under Texas' Bruce Bochy, a four-time winner of the World Series.

Top prospect: SS Colson Montgomery endured back spasms in late February and early March, which likely hindered his opportunity to break camp as the team's starting shortstop. Chicago optioned Montgomery to Triple-A to begin the season, but he could wind up with the White Sox soon given the team's lack of sturdiness at the position.

Breakout player: RHP Jonathan Cannon proved to be one of Chicago's most reliable pitchers beyond the load-managed Crochet after Cannon's recall from Triple-A Charlotte in June. He pitched to a 4.49 ERA in 23 appearances (21 starts) and is a candidate to be the Opening Day starter.

2025 outlook: The White Sox are projected to fare less poorly than last season. That's not a meager marketing slogan for the 2025 Sox -- simply the reality. A rebuild is afoot, to be sure, but there's developing talent in the pipeline and bright spots in 1B Andrew Vaughn and OF Luis Robert Jr. -- if Robert can stay healthy. Veteran OF Andrew Benintendi should provide a jolt and a talking point after he returns from a broken bone in his right hand, an injury he suffered during spring training. He is expected back in April.

--Field Level Media