2026 Bold Predictions

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

Just as was the case last year, this team sucks so there's tons of opportunities to be bold!

Last year I called Garrett Crochet leading the AL in IP because fading the actions of Chris Getz are a quick way to look like a savant!

On to this year:

1. Sam Antonacci wins the AL Rookie of the Year with a 3.5+ WAR season, despite not making the opening day roster. It's a relatively weak rookie class, and it's being headlined by pitchers who have a lot of up and down early in their careers. This is so bold, that Sam doesn't even show up on any of the lists. In fact, you can find odds on 4 OTHER White Sox players to win the award. The EV is real this spring, and this guy is about to mash. "If you play him, he will crush."

2. Grant Taylor leads the White Sox in pitching WAR. This isn't all that bold given that he is projected to for me as of today, but Taylor should be able to generate enough innings out of relief and, possibly, as a spot starter to make this an easy win. Shane Smith is a solid MLB starter, but Taylor is on another level. He had some terrible luck last year, and once we increase that sample the baseball odds should work themselves out. This is also a reflection of a very weak rotation, but Taylor will be in the 3.5-4 WAR territory so he would lead some other teams as well.

3. Murakami rips victory from the James Woods jaws of defeat down the stretch, and sets the record as baseball's new strike out king! 

4. Curtis Mead outplays Miguel Vargas, partly because Miguel Vargas further solidifies himself as a pumpkin but also because Mead finds a little bit of that lost from with the broken wrist in 2023. It's a now-or-never year for Mead, who had much more promise than Vargas pre-injury. 

5. The White Sox draft Justin Lebron with the #1 pick in the draft.

I may add a couple as spring training nears an end, but this is what I have as of now!

 

[chitownsportsfan]

I get "bold' is doing a lot of work here but every one of those seems absolutely insane to me, like 1 in 100 seasons type stuff. The only one I could possibly see would be Murakami setting the K record.

As for a bold prediction I'd say that Baldwin gets around 120 starts, hits around 20 HR and finishes around 2.5 WAR. 

[T R U]

Jarred Kelenic makes the team and leads them in WAR, Chicago White Sox complains about it all season and Harrold makes a triumphant return due to this. 

[Snopek]

From least to most bold (I think):

• Colson gets optioned to AAA in May after a horrendous start, but restores our faith by having a solid final few months in the majors. 
• Quero finishes with a higher WAR than Teel.
• Murakami homers in the first four games of the season, including one on his first AB of the season.
• Meidroth doubles down the right field line on 3-1 pitch in the 6th inning of the game vs the Braves on June 11. Alas, he gets thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple. Such is life.

[Chicago White Sox]

9 minutes ago, T R U said:

Jarred Kelenic makes the team and leads them in WAR, Chicago White Sox complains about it all season and Harrold makes a triumphant return due to this. 

Why would I complain about Kelenic being awesome?

[T R U]

8 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Why would I complain about Kelenic being awesome?

I supposed you would come around because ultimately that would be a good thing, BUT you will complain that he made the team initially and cite how awful he was last season before coming around. This is my bold prediction don't s%*# on it. 

[46DidIt]

Sox lose less than 100 games 

[DoUEvenShift]

24 minutes ago, Snopek said:

• Meidroth doubles down the right field line on 3-1 pitch in the 6th inning of the game vs the Braves on June 11. Alas, he gets thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple. Such is life.

If this hits you should get a special "Nostradamus" board title

[Autumn Dreamin]

• The top 4 Sox on the HR leaderboard combine for over 100 HRs; the top 2 combine for over 60
• There is credible reporting on the FO discussing an extension for one or more young players
• At least 3 Sox receive Rookie of the Year votes, including at least one not on the opening day roster
• The Sox pen finishes at least one month as a top 8 unit in MLB for that month
• Luisangel Acuna has a productive 2.5+ WAR season

Also, similar to one of @Snopek's, I think "Trade Quero now because Teel is the future" takes age very poorly (even if WAR doesn't fully show it because of DH penalties)

[Snopek]

12 minutes ago, DoUEvenShift said:

If this hits you should get a special "Nostradamus" board title

There is a zero percent chance I remember this prediction by the time that game rolls around.

[DirtySox]

2 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

5. The White Sox draft Justin Lebron with the #1 pick in the draft.

Dang. This was going to be mine.

[Squirmin' for Yermin]

Montgomery has less than 14 home runs

Teel is an All-Star - leads team in WAR

Quero has a strong opening 4 months and gets traded at the deadline due to playing time issues

Lenyn Sosa hits 20 home runs by the trade deadline and get traded.

Luisangel Acuna has more WAR than Luis Robert 

Murakami bats .250 with 30+ bombs.

Somehow we are able to rid ourselves of the Benintendi contract at the deadline

We once again nail the rule 5 and both selections become very good bullpen pieces. 4/4 in the last 2 years.

Cholowski is the number 1 prospect in all of baseball come 1/1/2027 - and the White Sox have him

 

 

 

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

1 hour ago, chitownsportsfan said:

I get "bold' is doing a lot of work here but every one of those seems absolutely insane to me, like 1 in 100 seasons type stuff. The only one I could possibly see would be Murakami setting the K record.

As for a bold prediction I'd say that Baldwin gets around 120 starts, hits around 20 HR and finishes around 2.5 WAR. 

2 and 3 just come down to games played and innings pitched. I don't think either of those are that crazy. If Taylor gets up near 100 innings, he's the odds on favorite to lead the staff in fWAR.

Antonacci is obviously > 100-1 since it's not posted, but I also think that he was a 2 WAR player before the EV uptick and pulling the ball with authority. He fits all the profiles of underrated/evaluated prospect who never reaches a level that is "too much" for them and they just continue to rake. The lack of power can zap that success, but this spring has shown that he might be a 112-111 max EV guy which puts him closer to league average power than the under 100 iso he's projected for today. 

[WestEddy]

20 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

Luisangel Acuna has a productive 2.5+ WAR season

I'm compiling a mental list while I make lunch, but Acuña north of 3 WAR was the first one.

[SoxAce]

Everson Pereira becomes Carlos Quentin 2.0 and has a 2008 type amazing season (close to 5 WAR, AS, SS, MVP votes). 

[WhiteSox2023]

1 hour ago, T R U said:

Jarred Kelenic makes the team and leads them in WAR, Chicago White Sox complains about it all season and Harrold makes a triumphant return due to this. 

But does he make his triumphant return in a brand new 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

[wegner]

The price for a Cuban Comet sandwich is raised to $15.99....and my son and I still get one each at any game we attend. I'm a weak man and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[WestEddy]

1)  Acuña winds up north of 3+ WAR
2) Davis Martin becomes steadiest, highest WAR pitcher on staff
3) Colson/Murakami good for 75 dingers
4) Ant-man up, Meidroth down by Memorial Day
5) 82 wins
6) Dominguez, Hays, Kay, Newcomb all traded at deadline
7) Sox realize savings by drafting Emerson; Contreras and Thome fall to them in 2nd and 3rd

[wegner]

12 minutes ago, SoxAce said:

Everson Pereira becomes Carlos Quentin 2.0 and has a 2008 type amazing season (close to 5 WAR, AS, SS, MVP votes). 

Getting anything of value back in a trade for Steven Wilson is a bold prediction indeed....I love it.

[WBWSF]

85 wins. Remember, The White Sox are Coming, Tra La, Tra La!!!!

[Autumn Dreamin]

6 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

1)  Acuña winds up north of 3+ WAR
2) Davis Martin becomes steadiest, highest WAR pitcher on staff
6) Dominguez, Hays, Kay, Newcomb all traded at deadline
7) Sox realize savings by drafting Emerson; Contreras and Thome fall to them in 2nd and 3rd

1: I wanted to say 3+ too but didn't want to be too aggressive based on his ST offense so far.

2: Martin is underrated. Don't think he's highest WAR, but do think "steadiest" is likely.

6: I have the opposite take, I think they'll be out of "move anyone not nailed down" mode and some of the short term guys stay.

7: Ick, I certainly hope not.

[Lip Man 1]

Jerry Reinsdorf decides he's had enough and turns the franchise over to Justin ishbia.

All remaining White Sox fans have a day of unfettered joy and celebration. 

[ChiSoxFanMike]

Hawk Harrelson returns to the broadcast booth unexpectedly and frame mogs Schriffen.

[fathom]

Shane Smith gets DFA

[Chicago White Sox]

10 minutes ago, fathom said:

Shane Smith gets DFA

Because of one bad spring training start?