This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO -- White Sox losses have piled up since Chris Getz took over as general manager on Aug. 31, 2023, just one day after he turned 40.
Such is the nature of the latest rebuild, where the expected tough times hopefully lead to contention sooner than later as the infrastructure and team is being built. So, it’s certainly understandable why Getz was very upbeat when talking during a Thursday night Zoom about this current White Sox iteration, carrying an 8-4 record behind an exciting brand of baseball since the All-Star break into this six-game West Coast trip.
“Yeah, I can't wait to play tomorrow,” Getz said. “In the last year and a half as general manager here, I've never been more excited to come into the ballpark. You go into a game knowing you have a chance to win.
“There's a lot that goes into winning baseball games. We've got more pieces than we have in the past that can help us win ballgames. So, these next two months I think are gonna be exciting.”
Even before the All-Star break, the White Sox were an improved team -- although their 32-65 record might not fully back up that point. They played a better brand of baseball, a far more competitive brand than their record-breaking 121-loss ’24 campaign, and most importantly, their young nucleus gained valuable experience.
Playing time turned into results beginning July 18 in Pittsburgh, especially with the bats. Entering Friday, the 84 runs scored by the White Sox since the All-Star break ranked second only to the Orioles, and the 23 home runs for the White Sox were tied for fourth.
“We're hitting the fastball better. That was highly emphasized. I know [manager] Will [Venable] has talked about that publicly,” Getz said. “He really had been stressing it amongst both staff and players, and the players have taken to it. So, credit to Will and credit to our players. Hitting the fastball has really opened up the possibilities for us offensively, and we've been able to score more runs.
“I'd say that stands out the most. There's been some really good pitching performances. Our bullpen has become much more reliable, and Grant Taylor is a big part of that reason. We've been able to have pitchers settle into more roles that perhaps are more suitable for their skill set. Bullpen, starters and our offense are to credit. But if I had to pick one thing that has jumped out post-break, it's our offense.”
Behind that offensive jump is Luis Robert Jr., according to Getz, whose July showing marked Robert’s best on-field month since a 2023 effort ranking as possibly the most complete season from start to finish in franchise history. When Robert gets on base consistently and wreaks havoc on the basepaths, it opens opportunities for young players such as Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero and Colson Montgomery to drive in runs.
Montgomery, the No. 4 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline, had the second-most RBIs in MLB since the All-Star break entering Friday. It’s at this point where I must admit being wrong about Robert.
My erroneous take has nothing to do with Robert’s talent, which when he’s healthy, and that part is crucial, is elite. Nor does it have to do with his work ethic, which also is top-notch as referenced by coaches, front-office members and teammates alike.
I just didn’t think Robert would still be with the White Sox by the end of Spring Training, let alone after the Trade Deadline on July 31. From a couple of 1-on-1 interviews with Robert in Arizona, I’m not sure he did either at that point.
But there was Robert in center field on Friday in Anaheim, hitting fifth for the White Sox. There also seems to be a strong chance the team picks up his $20 million option for ’26. The “will he” or “won’t he” trade saga could play out yet again, or the White Sox could make him a rebuild fulcrum.
“That was part of the calculus with maintaining most of this roster,” Getz said. “Having an environment for our young players to continue and have success at the Major League level.
“Going out every night and really playing competitive baseball and winning some ballgames against teams that are in first place and leading divisions and are going to be playoff teams. We really value having Luis Robert being part of this, we do … Elite bat speed, elite foot speed, this is a player that we feel has a lot of great days ahead of him.”