Chicago White Sox: Who Will Start At Second Base?

The Chicago White Sox have placed Brett Lawrie on waivers. Who will step up and take over the second base job?

The Chicago White Sox were quick to cut bait with Brett Lawrie. However, that does not necessarily mean that hot-shot prospect Yoan Moncada is ready for the opening day roster. Moncada is the future second basemen of the Chicago White Sox. Everybody knows that.

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However, it may not be time to start the future yet. Moncada still has a lot to learn and White Sox management isn’t going to rush him to the big leagues. There is no hurry for a team that is not expected to compete in 2017.

So where does that leave the White Sox and their starting second baseman? Well, I expect to see a share in playing time between Tyler Saladino and Yolmer Sanchez. Saladino, in my opinion, is the odds-on favorite to get most of the playing time until Moncada is ready for the big leagues.

He played well for the White Sox last season splitting time between second base and shortstop until Tim Anderson was called up. Saladino then played a lot of second base and would occasionally play third when Todd Frazier needed a rest.

Saladino was a .300 hitter once he became the everyday starter last season. The talent is there, but can Saladino build on his success from last season? Would he grow even stronger as the everyday second baseman of the White Sox? That I don’t have an answer to. But what I do know is Saladino has the skill and the drive to be a productive player.

The only downside to Saladino, Moncada will be lurking and all eyes will be on the both of them. If Moncada is destroying the ball in Triple-A and Saladino is struggling, White Sox fans are going to want to see the player the team gave Chris Sale up for. Right or wrong, it is that simple.

All Saladino needs to do is go out and play his game day in and day out and give his all for the White Sox. Don’t worry about Moncada and the fact that he is coming for your position. Show the coaching staff that he deserves to be out on the field one way or another.

Who knows, if he plays really well the White Sox could finally decide to move Frazier and transition Saladino over to the everyday third baseman.

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As a White Sox fan, I look forward to seeing how Saladino can build on last season and contribute to the rebuild going on. I personally would love to see him as part of the rebuild and earn his spot in the lineup. Moncada should not be a death sentence for Saladino. If anything Moncado should be the driving force who motivates him.