Although the White Sox aren’t exactly a powerhouse, they do have some elite talent on their roster.
An honorable mention goes to Luis Robert Jr., who, unfortunately, is hurt and missing. The White Sox haven’t been able to get by without him. However, at least Andrew Benintendi is stepping up his game, and it seems like Eloy Jimenez is feeling a bit more motivated lately. Still, nobody matches the hype of the Sox’s new arrival.
Despite his limited appearances, one player has managed to capture the attention of the team and the fans alike… Tommy Pham!
Since his arrival, Pham has injected new energy into the White Sox, a team that has been lacking in that department. His contributions may not have led to a significant increase in wins, but they have certainly made the team look better, and he’s only just getting started.
During his time away from baseball, waiting for the Sox—or any team, for that matter—to call and sign him, Pham was not idle. He was honing his skills, preparing for the moment he would step back onto the field. And that moment came when the White Sox, recognizing his potential, offered him a spot on their roster.
Life Since Pham’s White Sox Debut
Just two weeks ago, outfielder Tommy Pham made his major league return, suiting up for the Chicago White Sox—then the lowest-ranked team in Major League Baseball—ahead of their 9-4 series opener victory against the Tampa Bay Rays.
With the victory, Chicago moved to 4-22, which is still the worst start in team history. It also ended a seven-game slide and gave Pham a solid debut.
In ten seasons with Tampa Bay, San Diego, Cincinnati, and others, Pham batted 259 with 130 home runs and 431 RBI. The potential has always been there; the White Sox just needed to see it.
With the White Sox, Pham has played with eight different major – clubs since making his debut on September 9, 2014. Pham had a resurgence in 2023 with the Mets after a dismal 2022 with the Red Sox. Then, right before the trade deadline, he was moved to the Diamondbacks. By season’s end, he was a free agent and inked a minor league deal with the White Sox.
The 36-year-old has batted in each of his first ten games this year for 282/.317/.487, 2 home runs, and 5 RBIs. His stats continue to rise with each game, and he’s already assisted the White Sox in no longer being the worst-ranked team in the MLB and the most faded squad at popular MLB betting sites online.
In fact, with Pham in the lineup, noticeable line movements at the sportsbooks have occurred as he continues to deliver impressive performances for the struggling Chicago team.
Considering how little time he’s been available, that’s quite good. One positive aspect of Pham is that he has much room to grow and will likely contribute to the White Sox’s future success.
The presence of Pham in the starting lineup motivates the other players to step up their game. Check out some of the guys who are doing better than before. Jimenez and Benintendi, who were mentioned before, are doing better. Catcher Korey Lee has been making progress. All it takes for the White Sox to start winning more games is for everyone to step up their game, and that’s happening right before our eyes.
Tommy Pham: The Catalyst for Better Results
Pham has the potential to improve this club’s overall performance. Occasionally, a little spark or a small dose of inspiration is sufficient to initiate action or motivate individuals, and Pham has the ability to provide this. He will ultimately become one of the team’s most crucial resources.
There is an additional aspect to this that some individuals may not be considering. Pham may soon be seen as a potential trade candidate. Given the occasional interest from other clubs, it is possible that he might be a suitable trade option for the White Sox. Alternatively, they may choose to retain him and permit him to sustain his exceptional performance at the plate.
Pham should sustain his high level of performance for the White Sox and provide them with the necessary contributions, at the very least until the return of Luis Robert Jr. Moving forward, it will be intriguing to observe the decisions made by the Sox when he returns. However, it would be prudent for them to retain him and continue enhancing their roster, maybe with a long-term perspective extending beyond 2024.
Another White Sox Win
Erick Fedde pitched six innings without allowing any runs, Tommy Pham recorded two singles and an RBI, and the Chicago White Sox maintained their lead to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 on Thursday night.
Chicago secured its second consecutive victory and its fourth win in six games, bringing its overall record to 10-28. The White Sox have surpassed the Colorado Rockies, who now have a 9-28 record and no longer hold the lowest record in the big leagues.
Pham smacked a double and has a hitting average of .313 in 12 games since he joined the White Sox. So, to answer the question: “Will Tommy Pham bring success to the White Sox,” I think the statistics speak for themselves.
Perhaps ‘success’ is a strong word. Still, Pham and the slowly growing confidence of his teammates can undoubtedly help Chicago forget their horrific season start as the rebuild at Guaranteed Rate Field continues.
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Source: Vietnam Insider