6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season

The 2018 White Sox needed to avert a meltdown in September to avoid 100 losses. They failed to do it, dropping 18 of their last 24 games. But hope and optimism are abundant in the Sox’s clubhouse this spring. Asked if the team might be shifting from rebuilding to winning this season, infielder Yolmer Sanchez replied: “It’s not a maybe. It’s 100 percent that we are ready to compete and we have the team to be in first place from Day 1.”

That optimism was further stoked Wednesday with news that the Sox and top prospect Eloy Jimenez were finalizing a six-year, $43 million deal. That likely means Jimenez will be in the opening-day lineup.

Here are six other players the Sox will need to take the next step this season.

1. Lucas Giolito

The giant right-hander (he grew near an inch last year to 6-foot-7) has reworked his mechanics, radically shortening his arm swing. When he removes his right hand from his glove, Giolito does not extend his arm out wide. It stays closer to his right ear for a motion he calls “cleaner and more efficient.” Giolito got shelled early in some games last season, so he sought a method to control his breathing and emotions. He hopes a neurofeedback (brain-wave analysis) program will allow him to unleash his talent — and reduce his 6.13 ERA from 2018.

2. Yoan Moncada

Moncada struck out 217 times last year, the fourth-highest total in MLB history. He got caught looking 85 times, 63 on borderline pitches, according to Statcast. The Sox take that as a good sign, believing that an overly selective hitter is preferable to a prospect who swings at everything. Moncada has spectacular raw gifts, including speed and power. But his defense? He committed an MLB-high 21 errors at second base. The Sox will use him at a more demanding position, third base, in part to clear a path for prospect Nick Madrigal.

3. Tim Anderson

Anderson is the heart and soul of the team, a middle-of-the-diamond player with swag. The Sox thought enough of him to sign him to a six-year, $25 million contract after just 99 games. That season, as a rookie, he produced an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .738. That figured has dipped (.679 and .687) in the two years since. Anderson did have a 20-20 season in 2018 (20 homers, 26 steals) and his leadership and vibe are immense positives in the clubhouse.

4. Jose Abreu

Abreu is in the final season of a six-year, $68 million deal. And as much as the player and organization like each other, this could be his final season on the South Side. Abreu’s power numbers have declined since he smashed 36 homers as a rookie in 2014. His OPS dropped more than 100 points from 2017 (.906) to 2018 (.798). The Sox acquired left-handed-hitting first baseman Yonder Alonso, whom they praise as a clubhouse leader, and prospect Zack Collins could eventually split time between catcher and first.

5. Daniel Palka

There’s a Paul Bunyan quality to Palka, who might rank as the No. 1 hangout guy on the team. Little was expected when Palka joined the Sox last season after a waiver claim, but he led the team in slugging percentage (.484) and homers (27). He couldn’t hit lefties (34 strikeouts in 75 at-bats) and butchered some balls in the outfield, but when Palka gets good wood on the ball, it goes a country mile.

6. Carlos Rodon

Sox players seem to view him as the ace of the pitching staff, even if the Sox are reluctant to designate one. Rodon largely succeeded in his season after arthroscopic shoulder surgery, posting a 4.18 ERA in 20 starts. His September was brutal (0-5, 9.22 ERA), but Rodon refused to make excuses and insisted he was not worn down.

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Twitter @TeddyGreenstein