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Early Spring Training Prediction of Chicago White Sox Opening Day Lineup

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Chicago White Sox: Spring Training Prediction of Opening Day Lineup

Jose Abreu Adam LaRoche — The Chicago White Sox were an aggressive team this offseason, adding multiple pieces in an effort to become a factor in the American League Central again.

Here is my prediction of the Opening Day lineup the Pale Hose will field on Apr. 6 against the Kansas City Royals.

The Chicago White Sox were an aggressive team this offseason, adding multiple pieces in an effort to become a factor in the American League Central again.

Here is my prediction of the Opening Day lineup the Pale Hose will field on Apr. 6 against the Kansas City Royals.

1. Adam Eaton-CF

1. Adam Eaton-CF

Eaton hit .300 with 15 stolen bases, 76 runs scored and 10 triples (tied for the American League lead) in 2014. The only thing theoretically standing between him and a breakout season is better durability.

2. Melky Cabrera-LF

2. Melky Cabrera-LF

Melky Cabrera White Sox — Cabrera makes a lot of contact (88 percent contact rate in 2014), hits for some power (16 home runs last year) and gets on base at a solid clip (.351 on-base percentage in 2014). He should fit right in as the No. 2 hitter for Chicago.

Cabrera makes a lot of contact (88 percent contact rate in 2014), hits for some power (16 home runs last year) and gets on base at a solid clip (.351 on-base percentage in 2014). He should fit right in as the No. 2 hitter for Chicago.

3. Jose Abreu-1B

3. Jose Abreu-1B

Last year's American League Rookie of the Year (.317, 36 home runs and 107 RBI) is likely to keep this spot in the White Sox lineup for years to come.

4. Adam LaRoche-DH

4. Adam LaRoche-DH

LaRoche is a proven power hitter (nine seasons with 20 or more home runs). He should like the hitter-friendly environment at US Cellular Field.

5. Avisail Garcia-RF

5. Avisail Garcia-RF

A left shoulder injury derailed Garcia's 2014 season, limiting him to just 46 games. But a full-time role in right field is waiting for him, and at 23 years old (24 in June) he is a popular breakout candidate for 2015.

6. Alexei Ramirez-SS

6. Alexei Ramirez-SS

Trade rumors surrounded Ramirez at times this offseason, but he is back with the White Sox for the final guaranteed year of his contract. Durability is a strong suit for him (158 games played in four straight seasons), and Ramirez still has something to offer offensively (15 home runs and 74 RBI in 2014).

7. Conor Gillaspie-3B

7. Conor Gillaspie-3B

Gillaspie hit a career-best .282 last year, despite a slow finish. If he can combine better consistency with more of 2013's power (13 home runs), the White Sox could have a useful offensive player at the hot corner.

8. Tyler Flowers-C

8. Tyler Flowers-C

The White Sox signed Geovany Soto to a minor league deal in January, but it would a surprise if Flowers is not the Opening Day catcher after a 15-home run season in 2014.

9. Emilio Bonifacio-2B

9. Emilio Bonifacio-2B

Bonifacio's calling card is versatility, but he is expected to be Chicago's starting second baseman and his speed (124 stolen bases over the last four seasons) should help extend the White Sox lineup.

Starting Pitcher-Jeff Samardzija

Starting Pitcher-Jeff Samardzija

Chris Sale's right foot injury has him unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, so Samardzija is in line to make his first start for the White Sox on Opening Day.

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Chicago White Sox

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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