Target & Avoid CHICAGO WHITE SOX

In the mid to late rounds of your draft sometimes it seems some of the shine has diminished, the banter is less amusing, and after 2 to 3 hours you just feel tired and ready to pack it in. This is the time when your picks are what can separate you from the rest of the league. In those mid to late rounds your picks should have upside and a definite bang for your buck.  I am compiling a Target - Avoid series on players from each MLB team to help you in your draft.

Let’s start with the American League Central.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

TARGET

Alejandro De Aza OF

De Aza finished 2011 with 152 ABs and had his highest BA of the year (after his first 20 at bats) at .329 by the end of the season. Since being called up in late July he was a solid hitter across the board. De Aza had similar stats against Lefties and Righties, day and night, and home and away. De Aza has speed and GM Kenny Williams has stated that if he were making out the line-up card De Aza would be his full time lead-off hitter in 2012. De Aza has double digit HR potential, will score many runs from the lead-off spot and could get over 30 SB. My projections for him are 90R 12HR 52 RBI with 33 SB and hitting .281

AVOID

Gordon Beckham 2B

The 8^th overall pick of the 2008 draft has never lived up to that 1^st big league season. Since then he has hit .230 and .252 in the last 2 years. In that time he has 19 HR and over 200 Ks. No other 2B is even close to that few HR with that many strike outs. His OBS over the last 2 years is less than Mark Ellis if you can believe that. He is that name recognition pick that you can elevate in your draft chats and nominate early in auction drafts to let some sucker pick up. Beckman will bat 9^th for the Sox this year and could be on a very short leash under new Manager Ventura. In the wings is super sub Brent Lillibridge who has 4 fewer HR and 6 more stolen bases in 655 fewer ABs over the last 2 seasons compared to Beckham.  My projections for Beckham are 55 R, 11 HR, 59 RBI with 5 SB while hitting .242 that is if he can hold onto his job all year. That is not even worth a bench spot for a MI on your team.