Countdown to Opening Day: #11 Chicago White Sox

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Pirates, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, biggest spring training question and top prospect

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Juan Pierre

SS Alexei Ramirez

CF Alex Rios

1B Paul Konerko

DH Adam Dunn

RF Carlos Quentin

2B Gordon Beckham

C AJ Piersynski

3B Brent Morel

PROJECTED ROTATION

Mark Buerhle 

John Danks

Jake Peavy

Gavin Floyd

Edwin Jackson

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Matt Thornton
Set-up - Chris Sale

Top Prospect - Chris Sale (LHP)

Breakout

Gordon Beckham - It's way too early to write off Beckham after one full season in the bigs. He was only drafted two years and at the end of 2010 he started to pick it up. I'm not saying he's an all-star this season, but we see why he will be one in the near future.

Bust

Alexei Ramirez - This is more of a gut feeling, but Ramirez is something I just do not see repeating his 2010 numbers. I feel like this shortstops entire career is going to be and down, depending on how the White Sox are playing.

Biggest Spring Training Question

Peavy's wing - The health of Jake Peavy could be the difference between the 3rd place, 1st place and a World Series shot. Depending on whether you get the former cy young stuff, an above average pitcher or nothing at all with decide a lot in the Central. I think they have the offense to win, but are missing a bonafide ace.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 88-74

Can Konerko carry the Chi Sox?

PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd in the American League Central

***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
 

Check back tomorrow for the Boston Red Sox