White Sox finalize ALDS roster

HOUSTON -- The White Sox announced their 26-man roster for the Division Series against Houston before Thursday's Game 1. Here’s a look at Tony La Russa’s crew for the ALDS:

Yasmani Grandal, catcher: As of May 9, Grandal was hitting .113 to go with an astonishing .378 on-base percentage. In his last 71 games, the switch-hitter slashed .276/.433/.599, with 21 home runs, 51 RBIs, 63 strikeouts and 60 walks. He has hit almost everything with authority after coming back from knee surgery on Aug. 27 and does a solid job handling the pitchers. He’s also competing in his seventh straight postseason and will be playing every day.

Zack Collins, catcher: The second catcher spot was between Collins and Seby Zavala, with both contributing to the team this season. But in Collins, the White Sox also have a left-handed bat off the bench with power and strong plate discipline. Collins walked 34 times in 78 games.

José Abreu, 1B: Abreu has battled flu-like symptoms since Saturday, which caused him to miss the regular-season finale. He also didn’t travel with the team on Tuesday and arrived Wednesday night, after testing negative for COVID-19. He’s a tough man to keep out of the lineup as long as he can suit up and put on his cleats. He’s also a vital clubhouse presence and middle-of-the-order run producer, stationed at the third spot.

Tim Anderson, SS: He’s the heart and soul of this American League Central championship squad, and there’s a noticeable difference in the team when Anderson is absent for an extended period. Anderson hit .300 for a third straight season and is looking for his fourth straight playoff game with at least three hits, after knocking in three in each of the three Wild Card contests against Oakland in 2020.

Leury García, UTIL: There might be no player on the White Sox who appreciates this sustained run of success more than García -- the longest tenured player in the organization. He has dealt with a great deal of mediocrity team-wise. García brings great versatility, having played every position on the field but catcher and first base, although he will be used primarily in the outfield and second base. He also finished fifth on the team with 54 RBIs.

César Hernández, 2B: Hernandez was acquired from the Indians the day before the Trade Deadline and has slashed .232/.309/.299 since joining the White Sox. He has 21 home runs and 62 RBIs, but only three homers and 15 RBIs with the White Sox. Leury García is another option at second base for the South Siders.

Danny Mendick, SS: Mendick posted a .220/.303/.287 slash line across 71 games in the Majors this year, as he bounced between the big league club and Triple-A Charlotte. With the Knights, Mendick hit .271 with a .733 OPS over 25 games.

Yoán Moncada, third base: Everyone knows Grandal’s prowess with the free pass, drawing a team-high 87 walks with a team-best .420 OBP. But Moncada was right behind with 84 walks and a .375 OBP. Much like Grandal, Moncada has power to add to the equation along with Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base.

Gavin Sheets, designated hitter: Sheets was not invited to the alternate training site during the abbreviated 2020 season, but instead of getting angry, he worked diligently to get better. The son of Larry Sheets, a former Major Leaguer, provides genuine left-handed power with 11 homers and eight doubles in 160 at-bats and will play against right-handers.

Adam Engel, outfielder: Engel has battled injuries all season, but figures to get outfield starts against left-handed starters. He makes a formidable defensive combination with Robert on a team not possessing great defensive statistics overall.

Billy Hamilton, outfielder: The veteran is a perfect fit for a team with its sights set on a World Series title. Hamilton provides speed to steal a key base late in a close game or he can be used as a defensive replacement. He also has been an important veteran presence in the White Sox clubhouse.

Eloy Jiménez, left fielder: Jiménez hit eight homers and had 30 RBIs over his first 30 games upon returning from injury rehab following a left pectoral tendon tear suffered at the end of Spring Training. He hit .213 with two homers and seven RBIs over his last 25 games. Jiménez has a .908 OPS with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in White Sox wins where he has played, but a .517 OPS with seven RBIs in losses. He still has the potential to carry a team offensively throughout the entire playoffs, let alone a best-of-five series.

Luis Robert, center field: Are you looking for an early sleeper pick for the 2022 AL Most Valuable Player? Well, Robert would be a good choice. The 24-year-old slashed .350/.389/.622 with 12 homers, 35 RBIs and 31 runs scored in his 43 games after coming back from a right hip flexor tear. He’s as good of an overall talent as there is in the game.

Andrew Vaughn, outfielder: Vaughn seemed destined to start the season as the team’s designated hitter but moved to left field when Jiménez got hurt. He handled the spot without any prior experience like a natural, also getting time at first base, right field, second base and third base. The rookie was one of five White Sox to play over 100 games, finishing with 15 homers and 22 doubles, and should be the right-handed-hitting counterpart to Sheets.

Dylan Cease, starting pitcher: Cease was not happy with his season in 2020, a campaign filled with enough inconsistency in which he was passed over for a playoff start despite being the team’s No. 3 starter all season. But Cease took a major step forward in ’21, striking out 226 to finish third in the AL. La Russa hasn’t announced his Game 3 starter for the first home playoff game since 2008, but Cease is strongly in the mix.

Lucas Giolito, starting pitcher: La Russa said it was a tough call between Lynn and Giolito for the Game 1 start, but it will be Giolito getting the ball in Game 2. This Game 2 start also aligns Giolito for Game 5 on regular rest on Wednesday, if needed. Giolito topped 200 strikeouts for the second time in his career and produced a 2.65 ERA over 13 second-half starts.

Liam Hendriks, closer: There might have been closers as good as Hendriks this past season, but none were better than the native Australian. Hendriks finished with 38 saves and a 2.54 ERA in 69 games. He fanned 113 against a mere seven walks over 71 innings. After allowing seven runs in 1 1/3 innings during back-to-back games in August against the Yankees, raising his ERA to 3.17, Hendriks yielded just one run over his final 21 innings with 31 strikeouts and one walk.

Craig Kimbrel, reliever: When the White Sox acquired Kimbrel from the Cubs for second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer at the Trade Deadline, they immediately paired together the best two closers in baseball. Kimbrel recorded only one save with the White Sox, giving him 372 for his illustrious career, and posted a 5.09 ERA in 24 games vs. a 0.49 ERA in 39 games with the Cubs. He could be the true X-factor in the White Sox postseason success.

Michael Kopech, reliever: The usage of Kopech will be very interesting throughout the ALDS. He has been built up to the point where he could be a multi-inning opener or could follow behind Rodón. Kopech also could be used in a setup role to get the ball to Hendriks. The only certainty with Kopech is that his stuff is overpowering.

Reynaldo López, reliever: After having early season eye surgery to correct a vision issue, López was a different pitcher. He has the capability to start, if needed, but it’s more likely he would come in behind someone such as Rodón or Cease to bridge the innings to the high-leverage hurlers.

Lance Lynn, starting pitcher: Lynn got the call for Game 1 of the Division Series, despite having struggled during his career against the Astros and at Minute Maid Park. La Russa indicated the Game 1 starter could come back on short rest to pitch Game 4, if necessary. Lynn will get AL Cy Young Award support after finishing 11-6 with a 2.69 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 157 innings.

José Ruiz, reliever: The White Sox love the right-hander’s raw talent, but he probably won’t get in with the game on the line. Ruiz allowed a 1.057 OPS against him in high-leverage situations this season, a 1.053 OPS against in medium-leverage situations and a .540 OPS against in low-leverage.

Ryan Tepera, reliever: Tepera was another Trade Deadline acquisition for the White Sox, giving them another high-leverage late-inning option. Tepera missed time from Sept. 11 to Oct. 1 due to a cut on his right index finger, but is ready to go.

Aaron Bummer, reliever: Simply put, the left-hander is a ground ball-inducing machine. Sure, his 75 strikeouts over 56 1/3 innings represent a career-high. But Bummer should play a key role in a ballpark such as Minute Maid, with 25 ground ball outs and two fly ball outs recorded since Sept. 1.

Garrett Crochet, reliever: What would have happened to the White Sox in the 2020 playoffs if Crochet didn’t get hurt in the deciding Game 3? His average fastball velocity dropped from 100.1 mph last season to 96.7 this season, per Statcast. But of course, he also threw 516 more pitches. Crochet can work multiple innings or the 22-year-old, who has never pitched in the Minors, can come in with the game on the line.

Carlos Rodón, starting pitcher: Rodón was one of the best starters in baseball this season when healthy, finishing with a 2.37 ERA in 24 starts and a career-best 185 strikeouts over 132 2/3 innings. But he has not thrown more than five innings since July 18, battling through shoulder soreness and fatigue. He remains an option for the Game 3 start.

Taxi squad: INF Jake Burger, RHP Ryan Burr, RHP Matt Foster, LHP Jace Fry, INF Romy González, OF Brian Goodwin, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Evan Marshall and C Seby Zavala