By Jimmy Navarrete ‘23

The 2023 Major League Baseball season is upon us! Spring training and the World Baseball Classic has just ended, creating great hype for this year’s MLB season. All the stars are back playing with their respective ball clubs, including Chicago White Sox shortstop, Tim Anderson, who is back from playing with Team USA. While he was gone, the rest of the Sox held the fort down in Arizona. Now it is time for the summer fun to start!

White Sox Fan Nolan Navarrete ‘24 said, “I am super excited to watch this team compete this year. This season is going to be great”.

Most people think that the White Sox are projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the AL Central. After last year’s terribly disappointing season, there isn’t much hype about this year. However, I think the Sox have a chance to be great this year.

I loved what they did in the offseason – acquiring outfielder Andrew Benitendi from the Boston Red Sox. He brings a solid bat and an outstanding defensive asset to this year’s team! Pedro Grifol is looking to have a great first season as the new manager for the ball club.

Cubs fan Aiden O’Hara ‘23 said, “The Cubs will definitely finish with less wins than the Sox this year.”

The Sox will face the Houston Astros on March 30 at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the World Series last season and took our beloved first baseman Jose Abreu with them. I am dreading the first time seeing Jose Abreu not wearing a Chicago White Sox jersey.

Dylan Cease will be on the bump for the White Sox that day. He is a great talent. I think if the team can stay healthy this year, they will have a chance to compete for a World Series. The season is very long, so longevity is key! I am very excited to watch the games, and even head up to Guaranteed Rate Field to watch some in person.

Sean Mongan ‘23 said, “Last year was not the outcome we wanted. But something feels different about this year. I have high hopes for us this year, and I feel big things are soon to come.”