This is part of a 30-article series looking at each team’s depth chart headed into spring training. Chicago White Sox Rotation 1. Mark Buehrle 2. Jake Peavy 3. Gavin Floyd 4. John Danks 5. Freddy Garcia 6. Dan Hudson 7. Brandon Hynick 8. Carlos Torres 9. Lucas Harrell 10. Jeff Marquez The rotation is set, assuming good health. Hudson seems like a better bet than Garcia to me, but it makes plenty of sense to hold him in reserve initially. After him, there isn’t very much depth in the organization. Hynick has pretty good command, but I think he’d struggle mightily with the home run ball if thrown into U.S. Cellular. Bullpen 1. Bobby Jenks 2. Matt Thornton 3. J.J. Putz 4. Tony Pena 5. Scott Linebrink 6. Randy Williams 7. Carlos Torres 8. Freddy Dolsi 9. Sergio Santos 10. Brian Omogrosso 11. Daniel Cabrera 12. Dan Hudson 13. Jhonny Nunez 14. Jeff Marquez 15. Derek Rodriguez 16. Greg Aquino 17. Santo Luis 18. Clevelan Santeliz The bullpen, on the other hand, has two open spots, though Williams would seem to be the clear favorite for one after being kept on the 40-man roster all winter. The White Sox would also be very open to dumping Linebrink’s contract if given the chance, but it’s doubtful that they’ll have the opportunity. Santos, a converted shortstop, isn’t nearly ready to help, but he is out of options and the White Sox may keep him as their 12th pitcher if he impresses at all this spring.
Catcher 1. A.J. Pierzynski 2. Ramon Castro 3. Tyler Flowers 4. Cole Armstrong 5. Donny Lucy First base 1. Paul Konerko 2. Mark Kotsay 3. Mark Teahen Second base 1. Gordon Beckham 2. Jayson Nix 3. Omar Vizquel 4. Brent Lillibridge Third base 1. Mark Teahen 2. Omar Vizquel 3. Jayson Nix 4. Dayan Viciedo Shortstop 1. Alexei Ramirez 2. Omar Vizquel 3. Jayson Nix I think Beckham does belong at second base, but the White Sox are going to have a weak defensive infield with this group. Ramirez is still iffy to last at shortstop, and Teahen is below average at third. Beckham, who was drafted as a shortstop, might be the best defender here if he can adapt quickly. Left field 1. Carlos Quentin 2. Andruw Jones 3. Jordan Danks 4. Mark Kotsay 5. Stefan Gartrell 6. Josh Kroeger Center field 1. Juan Pierre 2. Alex Rios 3. Mark Kotsay 4. Jordan Danks 5. Alejandro De Aza Right field 1. Alex Rios 2. Andruw Jones 3. Mark Kotsay 4. Alejandro De Aza 5. Stefan Gartrell 6. Josh Kroeger Designated hitter 1. Andruw Jones 2. Paul Konerko 3. Carlos Quentin 4. Mark Kotsay 5. Jason Botts 6. Tyler Flowers Barring an addition, it looks like Jones could be the primary DH early on. Maybe Flowers will be a factor there at midseason, but he’ll probably start off as the catcher for Triple-A Charlotte. The bench spots will go to Kotsay, Vizquel, Castro and probably either Nix or De Aza.
