We are officially at the All-Star break and the Chicago White Sox stand with a record of 33-62 and…yeah, like I’ve said all season, it’s not about the record but the performance of the players on the field.

With a peek of hope to start the month of June, the momentum turned downward and carried the down trend into the month of July. Through all the injuries, inconsistencies and overall lack of group talent, the South Siders still have hope and an overall bright future ahead thanks to general manager Rick Hahn staying the course with his plan for the long-term future of the franchise.

Manager Rick Rentieria has had a lot to handle in terms of preparing his players to play the right way, guiding players in tough situations and staying competitive on the scoreboard.

Through it all, the players on the field have held their own despite some major growing pains learning on the big stage. Let’s take a look at some of the key players who has made an impact during the first half.

Yoan Moncada (July): .289 AVG, 2 Home Runs, 7 RBI, 13 Hits
Overall: .289 AVG, 12 HR, 41 RBI

Sox w/15 Doubles, 5 Triples, 10 HRs before All-Star Break

Yoan Moncada (2018): 19 Doubles, 5 Triples, 12 Home Runs
Alex Rios (2012): 19 Doubles, 5 Triples, 12 Home Runs
Ray Durham (2000): 19 Doubles, 7 Triples, 13 Home Runs
Jose Valentin (2000): 22 Doubles, 5 Triples, 13 Home Runs
Ivan Calderon (1989): 17 Doubles, 5 Triples, 13 Home Runs
Gee Walker (1939): 15 Doubles, 5 Triples, 10 Home Runs
Joe Kuhel (1939): 16 Doubles, 6 Triples, 10 Home Runs

Jose Abreu (July): .167 AVG, HR, 5 RBI, 7 H
Overall: .253 AVG, 13 HR, 52 RBI

Sox Career Home Run Leaders:

10) Ron Kittle (140)
11) Jose Abreu (137)
12) Jose Valentin (136)
13) Minnie Minoso (135)

Yolmer Sanchez (July): .231 AVG, 6 RBI, 12 H
Overall: .256 AVG, 5 HR, 42 RBI

Sox Players With 9+ Triples Before the All Star Break

2018: Yolmer Sanchez (9)
1994: Lance Johnson (13)
1993: Lance Johnson (9)
1975: Jorge Orta (9)
1951: Minnie Minoso (12)

Matt Davidson (July): .171 AVG, 5 RBI, 6 H, 3 R
Overall: .221 AVG, 14 HR, 38 RBI

Avisail Garcia (July): .406 AVG, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 13 H, 10 R
Overall: .282 AVG, 9 HR, 17 RBI (35 Games)

Young Pitching Steps Up

Starting pitching has been this team’s strength all season and despite the recent slide in recent weeks, this staff has promise thanks in part to Lucas Giolito and James Shields logging in six plus innings in his starts.

Young guns Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Covey have a long way to go, but the potential of these stars to be a mainstay and or potential frontline starters should not be overlooked.

Last 2 Starts

Lucas Giolito:

7/8 @ HOU: 7.1 IP, 3H, 2R, HR, 3BB, 3K; 7/15 vs. KC: 6.1 IP, 2H, 3BB, 6K
Overall: 6-8 Record, 6.18 ERA, 103.1 IP, 60 BB, 63 K, 96 H, 17 HR, 71 ER

Reynaldo Lopez:

7/6 @ HOU: 4.2 IP, 6H, 3R, 5BB, 2K; 7/14 vs. KC: 6.1 IP, 2H, 3BB, 6K
Overall: 4-7, 3.91 ERA, 112.2 IP, 47 BB, 82 K, 103 H, 13 HR, 49 ER

Dylan Covey:

7/4 @ CIN: 3.2 IP, 5H, 6R, BB, 2K; 7/10 vs. STL: 5IP, 9H, 5R, 2BB, 5K
Overall: 3-5, 5.69 ERA, 55.1 IP, 26 BB, 43 K, 65 H, 6 HR, 35 ER

James Shields*:

7/7 @ HOU: 5.2 IP, 10H, 8R, 2HR, 2BB, 9K; 7/13 vs. KC: 6.2 IP, 5H, 4R, 2BB, 7K
Overall: 4-10, 4.43 ERA, 126.0 IP, 49 BB, 92 K, 111 H, 15 HR, 62 ER

*Pitched 6+ Innings in 3 out of last 4 starts

Giving Props

To the White Sox organization for honoring the 1993 AL Western Division Championship team for their 25 year reunion weekend this past weekend on the South Side.

All players were recognized, including Hall of Famers Tim Raines and Frank Thomas, Ozzie Guillen and Bo Jackson.

Team Leaders 

Batting Avg.: Yolmer Sanchez (.256)

Home Runs: Matt Davidson (14)

RBI: Jose Abreu (52) 

Hits: Jose Abreu (92)

Pitching Leaders

Wins: Lucas Giolito (6)

ERA: Reynaldo Lopez (3.91)

Strikeouts: James Shields (92)

Holds: Jace Fry (9)

Saves: Joakim Soria (14)

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