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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 7, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) and center fielder Jake Meyers (6) celebrate with third baseman Alex Bregman (2) after both scoring against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning in game one of the 2021 ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Oct 7, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) and center fielder Jake Meyers (6) celebrate with third baseman Alex Bregman (2) after both scoring against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning in game one of the 2021 ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Thorpe’s health is critical for the White Sox as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season. Acquired in the Dylan Cease trade, he’s viewed as a cornerstone of the team’s rebuilding efforts. Despite flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, his control issues and injuries highlight the challenges he faces. With veterans like Martin Perez and Bryse Wilson anchoring the rotation, the team is banking on young talents like Thorpe to strengthen their future. Fans eagerly await updates as Spring Training games kick off on February 22, 2025.
Thorpe’s road to recovery: White Sox’s key piece faces setback, but hopeful for 2025 return
Even with the positive outlook, any put-off for a player as vital as Thorpe is challenging, especially for a crew coming off a disastrous 2024 season. The White Sox set an unwelcome franchise record with 121 losses closing 12 months, and the focal point is squarely on their young core to convey hope for the future. Thorpe, specifically, represents a key part of that rebuild. He arrived in Chicago because of the centerpiece of the Dylan Cease exchange with the Padres, following a whirlwind series of movements. The Yankees drafted Thorpe in 2022, then traded him to San Diego as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto deal before he landed in Chicago. By the time he made his fundamental league debut in June 2024, he become widely taken into consideration as one of baseball’s top 50 prospects.
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His rookie marketing campaign showcased masses of capability. However, it additionally had its rough patches. Thorpe was given off to a sturdy start, posting a strong 3.03 ERA across his first seven begins. However, struggles with command caught up with him, mainly due to 2 disastrous outings in which he allowed 14 runs in only over 5 innings. Shortly after, he landed on the injured list with a flexor strain, in the long run requiring surgical operation. Thorpe became projected to claim a gap within the White Sox rotation this season, however his primary focus now will be on returning to complete fitness. His rookie struggles, like an 11.1% stroll charge and 8 domestic runs allowed in just 44 1/3 innings, spotlight areas he’ll want to enhance. However, his potential is easy to see, and there’s every cause to believe he’ll be a cornerstone for the crew’s destiny in MLB.
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When he’s ready to go back, Thorpe will probably discover possibilities. The White Sox rotation features veterans like Martin Perez and Bryse Wilson, along with more youthful fingers together with Jonathan Cannon. The last spots will probably be an opposition among names like Sean Burke, Davis Martin, Nick Nastrini, and Ky Bush. Thorpe’s adventure to recuperation can also hit a bump, but both him and the corporation seem confident it won’t keep him down for long.
Significant numbers beyond 121 that define the 2024 Chicago team
The 2024 Chicago White Sox had been plagued with struggles and a season characterized by negative performance throughout all sides of the game. Despite a few capable starting pitching from Erick Fedde and Garrett Crochet, the crew’s rotation has been a few of the worst in the league, rating 24th in fWAR and twenty-seventh in FIP. This terrible pitching, paired with a bullpen that has blown an MLB-high 37 saves and posted the worst save percent in baseball history (35%), has been an enormous issue inside the crew’s dismal 114-loss season. Flexen’s 3-15 record similarly highlights the team’s lack of ability to steady victories, despite healthful pitchers.
The White Sox’s ineptitude is not limited to pitching; their offense and average gameplay have also been lackluster. With only nine triples—four fewer than some other teams—Chicago’s offense has been notably unexciting and predictable, contributing to an experience of boredom among enthusiasts. The team has spent heavily, with a $133.8 million payroll, but has failed to deliver, with an according-to-win value of $3.37 million. The lack of any significant progress, blended with an abysmal run differential of minus-311, paints a grim image of the White Sox’s destiny.
Despite the 2024 season being a catastrophe, there’s a feeling of morbid fascination among a few enthusiasts, with 81.7% of respondents to a nearby poll admitting that they had been rooting for the crew to break the best-ever loss document. The franchise has experienced major turmoil, including the firing of supervisor Pedro Grifol and the interim replacement of Grady Sizemore, leaving the White Sox entrenched as one of the worst teams in modern baseball history. Their performance has highlighted just how poorly managed and misfortunate the franchise has been, leaving a long road ahead for rebuilding and recovery.
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Can Drew Thorpe's return spark a White Sox revival, or is the team doomed for another rough season?
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Can Drew Thorpe's return spark a White Sox revival, or is the team doomed for another rough season?
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