Mid-season, Josh Harrison is starting to raise some questions for the White Sox. In the 2022 off-season, the White Sox had a few major holes to address. With starting pitcher Carlos Rodon departing, they elevated Michael Kopech to the rotation. Once again they would have a hole in right field as well which they filled through the trade a trade with the Dodgers that netted them, A.J. Pollock.
The last major hole was at second base. After creating this hole by trading away Nick Madrigal, the White Sox hoped to have filled it when they traded for Cesar Hernandez at last year’s deadline. The move was a flop however so Chicago was forced to test the free-agent market.
The big fish on the market was former Blue Jay Marcus Semien but he elected to sign with the Texas Rangers. As such, the White Sox settled for Josh Harrison. After spending 2021 with both the Nationals and the A’s, Harrison finished with a .279 batting average and a .741 OPS.
Not Living Up To Expectations
Expected to hold down the starting second baseman job for the White Sox, Harrison has started 21 of his 36 games at the position. The statistical numbers are paltry with a .181/.265/.276 slash line. His OPS+ currently sits at 58 which is obviously way under the MLB average of 100.
A black hole in the White Sox lineup, he has a skill set that is easily replaceable on the White Sox roster. In fact, Chicago may have already replaced him with the hot bat of Danny Mendick. While he is being forced to play shortstop in the absence of Tim Anderson, his line of .318/.362/.455 is much more impressive than Harrisons. Of course, they also have utility man Leury Garcia.
Perhaps most enticing is the potential replacements in the minors. The most obvious of these is Yolbert Sanchez. Splitting time between both AA and AAA, Sanchez has a batting average of .341 to go along with a .783 OPS. Another option could be the 22-year-old Lenyn Sosa. Although he has only played in AA thus far, he is hitting .342 with eleven homers.
The time has certainly come to DFA Harrison. Simply, he does not have a spot on the team anymore. He doesn’t hit for average or power and this is reflected in his Baseball Savant page which has more blue than a basket of blueberries. Firmly in the middle of a championship window, the White Sox need to have higher standards.