White Sox bold predictions from ESPN impact Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery, Luisangel Acuna, Shane Smith
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White Sox bold predictions from ESPN impact Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery, Luisangel Acuna, Shane Smith originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Chicago White Sox have a roster full of intriguing players for the 2026 MLB season.
Will that lead to more wins? It remains to be seen. But there's definitely a reason to tune in and watch in the early going.
ESPN's Eric Karabell certainly likes what the White Sox have going on. In a new bold predictions article, he singled out five different Chicago players with very specific marks.
His first prediction involves the Japanese signing, Munetaka Murakami, who hasn't yet played an MLB game (not counting Spring Training). Karabell predicts Murakami will hit 31 home runs, but also have an average below .220.
Karabell then goes with the promising young shortstop Colson Montgomery and matches the prediction: 31 homers for Montgomery, also an average below .220.
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He moves on from there to Luisangel Acuna, the second baseman acquired in the Luis Robert Jr. trade from the New York Mets. Acuna might actually move out to play centerfield this season. Karabell predicts him to steal 28 bases.
From there, Karabell brings up the right-handed starting pitcher, Shane Smith. The ESPN writer predicts Smith will make the AL All-Star team for the second season in a row.
His last prediction involves righty prospect David Sandlin. Karabell predicts that Sandlin will make his MLB debut in July, get 12 starts, and post a 3.40 ERA in his first go around at the major league level.
If all these things happen for the White Sox, it'll be a fun year. It's not guaranteed to be a huge leap forward.
But these are some of the players Chicago needs to keep improving to give them a chance of being competitive going forward. If they have solid years like this, it's a solid step in the right direction.
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