Chicago White Sox: Five bold predictions for 2019 season

No. 1: Eloy Jimenez is called up at the end of April, and wins the Rookie of the Year

The American League will have no shortage of rookie talent this season. Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Houston’s Forrest Whitley, and Tampa’s Brett Honeywell are just a few of the many young stars expected to debut in 2019.

One of the most highly-touted of the group is Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox top prospect. The third-ranked prospect in all of baseball, the “Big Baby” has absolutely raked all throughout the minor leagues since being acquired from the Cubs in 2017.

Jimenez probably should’ve debuted last season, but because of service time rules, he was kept down. Because of those same rules, Jimenez almost certainly won’t be on the White Sox opening day roster.

In order for the White Sox to retain an extra year of contractual control, Jimenez must be kept down until April 14th. However, I don’t think Jimenez will be called up then. Look for the White Sox’s homestand at the end of April, starting on the 26th against Detroit to be the target time for Jimenez as long as everything goes well between now and then.

Once Jimenez is up, the hype will speak for itself. Jimenez’ debut will be the most highly-anticipated by a prospect perhaps in White Sox history, and the impact of Jimenez both on and off the field will do the White Sox wonders.

As for his play, absolutely nothing indicates that Jimenez cannot handle major league pitching. The 2018 White Sox Minor Leaguer of the Year flaunts top-tier power, hit tool, and overall feel for the game. Jimenez will be very good for a very long time on the South Side, and I fully expect that success to begin right out of the gates with a Rookie of the Year campaign.