White Sox - 7/12/02

BY MARIO SCALISE
RECORD: 43-46
PLACE: 2nd
GAMES BACK: 7.5

PITCHING STAFF 1st Half REVIEW/ 2nd Half PREVIEW
PLAYERS NOTED ARE ONLY NOTED FOR FANTASY PURPOSES. ALL OTHER PLAYER HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT FANTASY IMPACT AT THIS POINT
Mark Buehrle - #1
What's Done: Buehrle has proved last year was no fluke being tied for the league lead in wins with 12. He's only had a handful of bad starts, two coming against the Cubs. Outside of that, he's been one of the big reason's the Sox are still in it despite poor play. He's picked up an inconsistent rotation and has handled the pressure unlike no other 23-year old.
What's to Come: Buehrle tired down at the end of 2001 losing 2-3 miles on his fastball, while finding himself battling more than pitching. He barely went past 6 innings, but managed to go over 200 on the season. Buehrle's arm should be adapted to the work load this time around, but it still may not hold up the whole way.
Jon Garland- #2
What's Done: Garland continued to make strides in his development process through the first half. He had up and down times as do many young hurlers, but unlike the rest, he stayed competitive each time out, whether he was on or not he put in a strong 5 innings. He's shown some fire and desire on the mound, something he lacked going into the season.
What's to Come: Garland should only get better. His inning and overall improvement since starting in 2000 has been ideal. His arm shouldn't feel any normal side effects of a young pitcher down the stretch. An 8-win second half is very possible.

Todd Ritchie- #3
What's Done: It seems that everyone, excluding the Pirates, would like to take a mulligan on the Ritchie deal. Ritchie was expected to come in as the #2 and supply the Sox with a veteran, consistent innings eater, but has instead been unable to locate, and getting beat with every pitch.
What's to Come: Well, it can't get any worse. He's already been labled by the fans an media as the second coming of Navarro, so all he can do is pitch. He has the capabilities, there isn't any doubt about that, he just needs to find that spark to get him going. He picked up 11 wins last year after starting the season 0-8, the Sox and him are looking for a repeat.

Danny Wright - #4
What's Done: He's been incosistent like Garland, but on a higher level. He's rarely gone a game where he didn't walk himself into a hole, but rarely got beat as most of his failures came in spurts. It came to a point where he kept on bending, then eventually broke.
What's to Come: He won't develop into anything special in fantasy value unless in a deep league, so no need to jump on him even if promise is shown. Wright is still a good 10 starts or so from coming into his own.

Keith Foulke - SM/CL
What's Done: Foulke, who was one of the best relievers going into this season, has lowered himself to mediocrity. He blew some big games in the early going and compiled an ERA over 5.00, which prompted a role change to setup man as Antonio Osuna took his spot.
What's to Come: Foulke is currently sharing the closers job with Osuna, but it should only be a matter of time before Foulke gets his job back. He's not a guy you would trade or acquire as the Sox aren't showing any signs of a strong second half, but he's too valuable to drop by any means.

Antonio Osuna - SM/CL
What's Done: Osuna entered the season with something to prove. After coming to the Sox from the Dodgers last year, Osuna was given a 2-year deal before injuring himself for the season. Osuna has since been a key member to the bullpen being used in middle, late, setup, and closer roles.
What's to Come: Osuna will share the closers job with Foulke, but as said above, Foulke will eventually take back what's his. Osuna won't give it up easy though. If Foulke runs into another rut, Osuna may be given the job for good.