Team-by-Team Fantasy Projections: Chicago White Sox

Here are the 2016 MLB fantasy projections for the Chicago White Sox (ZiPS projections courtesy Dan Szymborski; Steamer projections courtesy Jared Cross, Dash Davidson and Peter Rosenbloom; Zeile projections courtesy FantasyPros):

Hitters

C Alex Avila

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	32	60	9	29	0
Steamer	24	41	6	22	1
*Zeile*	30	53	7	26	0

Avila draws plenty of walks, and should provide minimal value in AL-only leagues that have OBP as a category. Aside from that, he's fairly useless in fantasy. He'll be splitting time behind the dish with Dioner Navarro, which effectively negates the fantasy value of both players.

1B Jose Abreu

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	84	157	29	89	1
Steamer	88	166	34	103	2
*Zeile*	88	171	33	99	1

Abreu is among the premier power hitters in all of baseball. He can be taken in the second round confidently. Chicago's lineup will be much improved from last season, which could lead to the Cuban slugger approaching 35 home runs and 110 RBIs.

2B Brett Lawrie

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	55	119	15	53	5
Steamer	53	113	16	58	4
*Zeile*	58	127	16	59	4

Lawrie is a huge gamble in any fantasy league because of his inability to stay healthy. That said, he does provide upside with his 20-homer potential at a position that provides little thump.

3B Todd Frazier

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	78	144	25	80	12
Steamer	77	143	27	87	13
*Zeile*	81	148	30	87	12

Frazier had a breakout 2014 season at age 28, and followed it up with another solid campaign in 2015. His modest stolen base ability gives him added versatility at a position short on steals. Acquired from the Reds, the only worry is that many sluggers have trouble adjusting to a new league, which could lead to an off year.

SS Jimmy Rollins

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Steamer	40	75	8	33	10
Zeile	44	76	8	30	11

At 37-years-old, it's safe to say Rollins is no spring chicken anymore. He hasn't hit .270 since 2008, and isn't a huge OBP guy either. He could still hit somewhere around 15 home runs, but should only be taken as a late round flier in AL only leagues.

CF Austin Jackson

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	72	146	10	52	14
Steamer	53	115	9	47	14
Zeile	47	101	7	38	13

Signed from the Cubs, projections vary on Jackson's playing time, but an everyday role seems more assured with the mid-March release of DH Adam LaRoche, freeing up more time for Melky Cabrera or Adam Eaton in that spot. His power has steadily fallen off since 2012's 16 home runs and 66 RBI, and his rate stats are middling at best. Jackson is best served as a possible waiver wire pickup in AL-only leagues.

LF Adam Eaton

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	93	164	9	54	21
Steamer	80	154	10	53	17
*Zeile*	85	163	10	56	16

Eaton put together a solid season in 2015, slashing .287/.361/.431 despite an awful start. The OF slashed .335/.418/.486 in the second half of the season, including a .377 average in September. He's a key cog in a potentially dangerous lineup. If all goes well, he could score 100 runs with ease.

RF Avisail Garcia

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	61	123	13	58	7
Steamer	45	101	13	50	6
*Zeile*	56	122	14	55	7

Garcia will be entering his fourth full season in the majors despite being only 25. He's yet to produce at the level many thought he would, but the young outfielder is still oozing with potential. He has an extremely level swing with power to all fields and is worth drafting as a late round flier.

DH Melky Cabrera

SOURCE	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
ZiPS	71	154	11	64	5
Steamer	78	164	14	68	3
Zeile	72	162	13	69	3

With the mid-March release of LaRoche, Cabrera should feature as the regular DH with some outfield time mixed in. Cabrera can be grabbed late in most fantasy drafts. If everything goes well with the rest of the lineup, he could flirt with 200 hits. He hit third behind Abreu at times last season, posting a .304/.332/.482 slash line in that spot. Being sandwiched between Abreu and Frazier could equal a big season.

Starters

LHP Chris Sale

SOURCE	GS	IP	K	BB	ERA
*ZiPS*	29	195.2	241	41	2.99
*Steamer*	32	210	256	48	2.82
*Zeile*	32	208	257	48	3.06

Sale is one of the top pitchers in all of baseball, and arguably the best in the American League. His ability to strike batters out at an insane rate gives him great fantasy value. The only concern is that he's due for an injury with his unorthodox, side-winding arm action.

LHP Jose Quintana

SOURCE	GS	IP	K	BB	ERA
*ZiPS*	31	195.1	166	47	3.73
*Steamer*	32	200	171	50	3.71
*Zeile*	31	203	177	50	3.52

Quintana is an extremely safe pick. He can be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds with the utmost confidence. However, his lack of strikeout stuff puts a damper on his upside.

LHP John Danks

SOURCE	GS	IP	K	BB	ERA
*ZiPS*	28	166	114	50	4.88
*Steamer*	24	143	100	46	4.75
*Zeile*	24	165	120	52	4.59

Danks is the definition of mediocrity, heading into his 10th season with the White Sox as a fantasy non-factor. Don't bother drafting him, no matter how deep the league.

LHP Carlos Rodon

SOURCE	GS	IP	K	BB	ERA
*ZiPS*	25	158.1	169	63	3.81
*Steamer*	31	180	188	84	4.03
*Zeile*	31	180	184	83	3.89

Rodon can be taken in the mid-to-late rounds as a high-risk, high-reward starter. He has great potential and has shown he can strike out major league hitters with ease. Rodon's command is the only thing holding him back.

RHP Mat Latos

SOURCE	GS	IP	K	BB	ERA
*ZiPS*	23	131.2	108	41	4.65
*Steamer*	28	159	125	46	4.00
Zeile	28	137	112	39	4.10

Latos had his worst season in the majors in 2015, posting a 4.95 ERA and a 1.3 WHIP between Miami, LA Dodgers and LA Angels. He's just 28, but mechanical issues have injuries written all over his future. Latos' 3.2 career innings in the AL make it tough to rely on the once-promising starter.

Closer

RHP David Robertson

SOURCE	IP	K	BB	ERA
*ZiPS*	60.1	83	17	2.83
*Steamer*	65	80	20	2.97
*Zeile*	62	83	18	3.18

After years serving as the setup man for Mariano Rivera in New York, Robertson has excelled as the stopper for the White Sox. His fastball only ranges from 92-95 MPH, but he has exceptional command and a devastating curveball that he uses to rack up Ks. He's a stellar fantasy relief pitcher.