If there were such a thing, a White Sox MVP ballot could probably list half a dozen candidates and make for a good topic of debate.
When manager Robin Ventura was asked how many of his players would be worthy of consideration, he said there were several. But he followed up by mentioning only right fielder Alex Rios.
“You could put a few out there,” Ventura said. “I just think Rios is probably our best all-around player. He does everything you can ask a baseball player to do as far as defense, hitting and stealing bases. He just comes in and works. You don’t have any issues with him. He just wants to play.”
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski is on pace for 30 homers and 93 RBI and has handled a young pitching staff, Adam Dunn was tied for the AL lead with 31 home runs and Paul Konerko has posted solid numbers in the cleanup spot. Center fielder and leadoff man Alejandro De Aza would also get some support. Chris Sale is a Cy Young candidate and Jake Peavy an All-Star.
Rios, Dunn and Peavy are all Comeback Player of the Year candidates.
“There are a lot of guys who can have that,” Ventura said. “You have to have a lot of guys having pretty good years to be in the position we’re in. Not only just players, but the pitchers doing what they’re doing. The surprise guys like Quintana who come out of nowhere to pitch as well as he has. It takes a whole lot of guys to be a successful team.”
Through Friday, Rios was batting .315 (eighth in the AL) with 18 homers and 67 RBI. He ranked sixth in hits (131) and third in triples (six) and average with runners in scoring position (.381).
