I am doing a series where I offer up three fantasy baseball questions for every MLB team. I look at under-the-radar stats, playing time projections, projected roles, and off-season news to try and highlight the issues facing you in your 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. We’ll do this thing in divisional order, and this time around I’ll consider three questions for the 2025 Chicago White Sox.
3 Fantasy Baseball Questions for the 2025 Chicago White Sox
Before we go any further, yes there is some fantasy value to be found on the Chicago White Sox. We have to treat them just like any other team, even if they are markedly worse than most. To say there are limited assets in Chicago would be an understatement, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore them.
Should Luis Robert be on Our Radar?
This isn’t about the talent. There is no questioning that part of Luis Robert’s game, but the outfielder needs to stay on the field. Ultimately that’s why we are here as the 100 games he played in last year were the second most of his career. The other issue is the lack of a supporting cast. At the end of the day, Robert needs baserunners to drive in and batters to bring him around.
Last year, Robert struggled in the batting average department as he just .224. That was the worst mark of his career, and it came with a .210 xBA. If you’re an opposing pitcher, is there really any reason to pitch to Robert?
Of greater concern, is the dip in Robert’s ISO from .278 to .155. Seemingly, it appears to be every other year thing for Robert when it comes to power production. He went from 38 home runs to 14, but that might not even be the biggest problem. Robert only drove in 35 runs in 100 games. For someone that we are considering a top player, that’s simply embarrassing.
The good news is that Robert did steal 23 bases. His 9.8% barrel rate is serviceable, but it’s difficult to really count on Robert. At some point, he becomes a solid value if he gets overlooked too far.
Is There a Closer to Target?
Finding saves is never easy. At this point, we all know that there’s a finite number available, so each one is over-analyzed. That means we have to pay attention to each and every bullpen. When it comes to the White Sox though, can we even expect them to win 50 games? And how many of those victories will result in a save?
Of course, the bullpen situation is as clear as mud for the White Sox. It’s unclear who sits atop the depth chart, and in reality, there’s really no one to trust.
Justin Anderson and his six career saves, one since 2019, enter the year as the presumed number one option. Walks are going to be a concern for Anderson, 5.40 per nine innings last year, and that could ultimately hold him back. In reality, it’s also unclear how he’ll handle the ninth inning when given an extended look. We can say the same for some of the other names; Fraser Ellard, Cam Booser, and Jordan Leasure.
Perhaps the best reliever in the bullpen, Gus Varland, has yet to save a game in the major leagues. However, he did have a 3.42 ERA last year in 26.1 innings while striking out over a batter per inning.
While this is something to monitor, it’s best to stay away.
Can Joey Gallo Hit 30 Home Runs? Does it Matter?
At this point, there’s no need to relitigate Joey Gallo. He has a ton of power, and good things happen when the bat meets the ball. The problem is that he doesn’t make contact nearly as often as he should.
Between the White Sox situation and Andrew Benintendi’s injury, regular playing time has opened up for Gallo. In 2023, Gallo hit 21 home runs despite hitting .177. That came in 111 games and 332 plate appearances. Last year, it was 10 home runs in 260 plate appearances, but the track record and batted ball metrics are there. The problem is that a 40% strikeout rate is there too.
The free power could be enticing, but at what cost?
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
