Inbox: Will Vaughn hit the Majors in 2021?

CHICAGO -- Here’s a look at White Sox inquiries in this week’s edition of the Inbox.

Is Andrew Vaughn as good of a hitter as has been advertised? If so, how many at-bats will he receive in 2021?
-- @ChiSoxDave

I can’t guarantee Vaughn will be a star, with the 22-year-old featuring a mere 205 Minor League at-bats and no Minor League games played during the abbreviated 2020 season. But he showed off a Major League-ready mindset and plate approach during his stint in Arizona before Spring Training was shut down last season. He also received rave reviews from those who watched him work at the alternate site in Schaumburg, Ill., in ‘20, not to mention high praise from Lucas Giolito after Giolito pitched against him.

So, the chance of success for Vaughn seems very high. There’s a reason the White Sox turned down any team asking about Vaughn in a trade, and there’s a reason they have him in their 2021 plans probably sooner than later -- think late April or early May.

Hey Scott, you have suggested that the Sox will get another pitcher and another bat pretty confidently, but [general manager Rick] Hahn’s comments suggest otherwise. Do you still think that’s the plan?
-- @LandoJQuintana

Hahn is pleased with the team the White Sox have in place, even if no other moves are made, and he should be. This was a good team last season, and the front office has done a greater job of stabilizing the pitching staff through the trade for Lance Lynn and the addition of closer Liam Hendriks. Chicago's offense was already elite.

Hahn's comments also were meant to temper future expectations, as opposed to the “stay tuned” put forth at the end of his previous Zoom that indicated there might be further personnel additions. The White Sox aren’t done, but, barring a trade, I’m not sure if there will be any more big-name additions.

Are the White Sox finished adding pieces for the start of the 2021 season? How prepared are they to make a Trade Deadline addition using their strong farm system to entice trade partners?
-- @coachhalpin

Here’s the second part of the above question. The White Sox will be ready to make moves at the Trade Deadline, quite possibly leaving a little room now for that time.

Is Zack Collins going to be the backup catcher?
-- @NWI_Steve

Collins will have a more regular opportunity to catch behind starter Yasmani Grandal, and it will be interesting to see the results from the team’s top 2016 Draft pick via steadier plate appearances. I would expect the White Sox to add another veteran catcher to the mix, one focused on handling the pitching staff more so than offense, although Chicago has four catchers on its 40-man roster. With the roster configuration the White Sox currently have, it also would give Collins greater opportunities at designated hitter.

How many saves for Hendriks in his first season with the White Sox?
-- @WhiteSoxPast

Let’s figure this out: Hendriks wants the ball as much as possible, and he's mentioned wanting to pitch in at least 81 games. The White Sox should have a very good team, if not the best in the American League, so there will be plenty of leads to protect. I’m going with 44 saves for Hendriks over the projection of a 162-game season.

With the addition of a solid lefty bat and Yoán Moncada back from COVID, how much better will the White Sox be against right-handed SP?
-- @JJHantsch

A healthy Moncada becomes a strong White Sox benefit against all pitchers, left-handed or right-handed, and Moncada certainly sounded back at 100 percent per our recent conversation. Adding Adam Eaton, who has a career .801 OPS against right-handers, also helps. The White Sox were 14-0 against left-handed starters last year but should improve on their 21-25 mark against righties when factoring in these changes and another year of experience for the younger players.

Any announcements on Virtual Sox Fest dates?
-- @jmiller_3389

SoxFest 2021 was scheduled to take place this weekend but was canceled due to the ongoing uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Look for several virtual programs, including live discussions and Q&As with fans, launching around the start of Spring Training.