Chicago White Sox following Chicago Cubs’ blueprint with talented prospect

The Chicago White Sox have long had a question mark at their second base position and that was made worse this week with the injury to utility infielder Danny Mendick.

Mendick, who had been the Sox de facto starting shortstop while Tim Anderson was on the injured list, had been playing well. The expectation was that he would slide over to second base with Anderson returning.

The plan took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when Mendick was forced to leave the White Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays after colliding with left fielder Adam Hensley while chasing a foul ball down the left field line. Mendick suffered a torn ACL on the play and is out for the rest of the 2022 season.

With Mendick now sidelined for the year, the question once again turns to how will the White Sox address their question mark at the second base position? One option for the White Sox may be Lenyn Sosa.

The White Sox promoted Sosa to the Major League level on Thursday and he figures to be a large part of the White Sox Major League roster moving forward.

While speaking with reporters prior to their loss against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night, White Sox manager Tony La Russa laid out the plan for Sosa at the Major League level.

"“For right now he’s going to help wherever he can,” said La Russa. “But when you’re putting together the year he has, you’ve got to believe he’s going to be an everyday player. He’s been every day down there, and he’s tearing the cover off the ball. The fact he can play three infield spots makes it easier.”"

Sosa’s Major League Debut came unexpectedly on Thursday night as he entered the game after veteran Josh Harrison was forced to leave after being hit by a pitch.

Sosa went hitless in his two plate appearances on Thursday night but did manage to draw a walk. With the injury to Mendick and lingering injuries to both Anderson and now Harrison, it seems likely that Sosa will see time at shortstop and second base in the coming weeks.

Lenyn Sosa has arrived for the Chicago White Sox as they need help at 2B.

Sosa could be exactly what the White Sox need. Cross-town comparisons are often wrong and strictly used for Sports Radio talking heads to fill a segment but the Chicago Cubs may have provided a point of reference for the White Sox in regards to Sosa.

Earlier this season, the Cubs promoted infield/outfield prospect Christopher Morel and he provided instant energy and offensive boost to an otherwise lifeless Cubs team.

Unlike the Cubs with Morel, the White Sox did not promote Sosa as a way to appease fans and give the appearance that they actually know what direction the team is headed in.

The White Sox promoted Sosa because they have a need at the second base position and a need for consistent offense as they attempt to climb back to the top of the American League Central division.

Sosa was outstanding at the Double-A level this season with an offensive clip of .331/.384/.549 for an OPS of .933 with 14 home runs and 140 wRC+.

Sosa has the opportunity to answer the White Sox’s needs at the second base position and that could be a pivotal development as the team prepares for the Major League Baseball trade deadline on August 2.