For the most part, White Sox players go completely overlooked when it comes to fantasy baseball.
In most seasons, the entire White Sox starting staff can be found on waivers after a draft.
This year, however, the White Sox are producing a lot of possible sleepers...but like all sleepers, they come with their share of possible buyer's remorse.
Pick your poison, or perhaps a gold cup of fantasy championship, with Juan Pierre, Gordon Beckham, Carlos Quentin, Alex Rios, Alexei Ramirez, and the entire White Sox pitching staff minus Freddy Garcia.
Perhaps even spice up your fantasy dish with a hint of Paul Konerko off waivers?
Gordon Beckham
Beckham is the most coveted White Sox player in fantasy, as he has the ability to provide home runs and stolen bases in the 20s at second base (unless, of course, you're in a Yahoo league that seems to still have him at third), with the chance of exploding for even more.
You can get Beckham in the middle of your draft, but receive early round numbers.
Buyers beware of the sophomore slump.
Carols Quentin
This will either be the last year that fantasy owners take a risk with Carlos Quentin or a year that pushes him back up to the first three rounds. Fantasy owners could get another valuable pick from the White Sox in the middle rounds, as Quentin could hit 30 home runs and drive in close to 100 runs.
However, "could" is the main word, with stop signs pointing at his foot.
Alex Rios
People are not touching Alex Rios, and for good reason. The now 29-year-old has one 20 home run season and one 30 steal season. Fantasy owners are done hoping and praying for him to become a 30/30 guy, and instead are begging for 20/20 out of him.
Buyers beware: Expect only around 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases for Rios, although Rios could develop a power stroke from being in a home run ballpark like U.S. Cellular,
Another big "could" in the White Sox fantasy value.
Juan Pierre
Now that Juan Pierre is getting a full-time job, he could be your man if you are looking for steals and runs. Unfortunately, he may not provide anything else, as he is changing leagues, and his on-base percentage has never been anything to write home about.
There is a good chance Pierre goes undrafted, so you may as well pick him up based on the fact that there could be 40 or more stolen bases sitting on your bench.
Buyers beware: At the age of 32, Pierre will no longer steal you 65 bases, but he could provide between 40 and 50 while adding 90 runs. Look for him in the late rounds or perhaps even undrafted.
Alexei Ramirez
As with Beckham, Alexei Ramirez is a hard player to diagnose fantasy-wise. Ramirez had six less home runs in 62 more at-bats last season, and dropped in nearly every category...all while not having the smarts or patience to steal more than 15 bases.
Buyers beware: Do not select Ramirez early in drafts. He's more of a "settle for" at shortstop.
White Sox Pitching
The White Sox pitching staff is arguably the third best pitching staff in all of baseball, but fantasy-wise the staff isn't getting much respect. The lack of respect, however, is for pretty good reason.
Jake Peavy started just three games in the American League, and hasn't seen the wrath of the home run ballpark. Mark Buehrle will not get you strikeouts, and after his perfect game he was not reliable for WHIP or ERA as well. John Danks started extremely slow last season, whereas Gavin Floyd finished extremely slow.
The bright spots, however, is that Peavy will finally get some kind of run support for the first time in his career, and is falling to the middle rounds instead of being drafted alongside the fantasy "aces".
Buehrle has value based on the fact he tends to go undrafted or extremely late. Getting a guy who generally never comes close to a 4.00 ERA, and provides a very good WHIP in the later rounds, is fantastic.
Danks had one bad month last season that completely killed his numbers, although they were still pretty good. Danks is just 24, but with Buehrle to teach him the ways of quick mound work, and Peavy to teach him as well, Danks could become an ace pitcher this season.
Floyd is only 27, and has still provided fantasy owners with a high strikeout total the last two seasons. He is another late-rounder that could have a breakout season, and at the very least provide strikeouts.
The other positive to each of these starters is the fact the White Sox look like a contender and are in a pretty mediocre division. That means an increase in wins for the starting pitchers, and easy divisional numbers as well.
The Bullpen
With a new windup and a slimmer trim, fantasy owners are not touching Bobby Jenks. Last year Jenks had an uncharacteristically high ERA, and did not record 30 saves for the first time in his career, due in part to injury more than lack of talent.
There is no reason not to take Jenks in the late rounds. Let the fools draft closers in the middle rounds and you will take at least 30 saves in the late rounds.
Waiver Pickups
And finally, the waiver picks.
Matt Thornton and Paul Konerko could be good waiver guys to watch out for.
With the possibility of the White Sox trading Jenks, and/or he gets injured, Thornton would most likely be the next guy in line to close games for the White Sox.
With first base being a monster position this season, Konerko will most likely go undrafted, so if you suffer an injury look for Konerko as a pickup. The guy can still get you close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI while batting .300.
The White Sox have a lot of players still around in the middle of drafts and beyond, so look for them. If you can handle the risks that come along with drafting them, the White Sox could provide some nice surprises in the fantasy season.
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