Chicago White Sox: A Position-by-Position Look at Their Offensive Production

The Chicago White Sox have been a pleasant surprise this year to most fans, as the South Siders have flexed their offensive muscles and boasted solid pitching thus far this season.

Though it comes as a surprise to most fans, I, for one, am not surprised. I always thought they had the potential to be contenders this season, as I explained to some of my friends and family during the preseason.

Let's take a look a position-by-position look at their offensive production thus far.

Catcher

A.J. Pierzynski: .291 BA

Tyler Flowers: .229 BA

A.J. Pierzynski has continued to be the most consistent hitting catcher in baseball this season, as he is hitting .291 with nine homers and 35 RBI. He is the league leader in RBI for catchers, which further exemplifies his outstanding production.

His backup, Tyler Flowers, has done an admirable job behind the plate and at the plate as well. Batting .229, Flowers has hit two home runs and two doubles in limited playing time. 

It's safe to say the catchers are doing their part at the plate.

First Base

Paul Konerko: .366 BA 

Adam Dunn: .222 BA

Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn have been splitting time at 1B and DH this season, as Konerko has fought off some light injuries. Nevertheless, these two have been putting in the work with their bats.

Konerko is batting .366, which is somehow an understatement, as he was batting .399 last week. The potential All-Star has 11 homers, 33 RBI and 31 runs this season, which is setting the pace for a career year for Konerko. All of these numbers have come despite taking a HBP in the face against the Cubs a couple of weeks ago.

His teammate, Adam Dunn, has recovered nicely from last season's travesty of a year. Dunn has already hit more homers this season than last (17 this year, 11 in all last season). He has knocked in 38 runs, coming up clutch with men on base. He has also began to learn to hit away from the shift, which is contributing to his success.

Second Base

Gordon Beckham: .237 BA

Gordon Beckham started off the season slowly, but lately seems to have found his stride. Batting .237 may not seem great, but that number implies great progress for Beckham. 

Surprisingly, Beckham has hit eight home runs, knocking in 28 RBI in the process. He has also hit eight doubles, which have oftentimes put him in a position to score (currently has 28 runs). 

Shortstop

Alexei Ramirez: .224 BA

Alexei Ramirez is another guy who has come on as of late, though Ramirez is known as a slow starter. Ramirez thrives in hot weather, as he is used to it as a native of Cuba. 

Like Beckham, Ramirez's BA may not be impressive, but it has greatly increased in the last couple of weeks. He has only hit one home run, but he has knocked in 25 runs and stolen six bases. Furthermore, he has nine extra-base hits (8 2B, 1 3B), which demonstrate his versatile hitting.

Third Base

Orlando Hudson: .205 BA

Brent Morel: .177 BA

Eduardo Escobar: .178 BA

Third base is one of the only positions for which the White Sox cannot find a consistent batter. They have tried three different guys, but have yet to see great results.

The best guy so far has been Orlando Hudson, who was recently brought in after Brent Morel got injured. Hudson is hitting .205 in twelve games, with two doubles and a triple. He has four RBI in this short time, which is been a step up from Morel.

Morel has started for a majority of the season, but has not produced. This may be because he has been playing with an injured back.

Nevertheless, Morel has hit a dismal .177 with 5 RBI and 14 runs. He has almost been useless at the plate, even though he is a solid fielder.

Lastly, Eduardo Escobar is batting .178 in limited playing time. In 16 games, he has one RBI and four runs, while hitting a double and a triple. 

Outfielders

Dayan Viciedo: .277 BA

Alex Rios: .289 BA

Alejandro de Aza: .298 BA

Brent Lillibridge: .208 BA

Kosuke Fukudome: .171 BA

If there is any player that has been on an absolute tear after having a slow start, it's Dayan Viciedo. Like Alexei Ramirez, the Cuban is a slow starter, but he has turned it on as of late. Batting .277, Viciedo has hit 12 home runs, knocked in 29 and scored 23 times while starting in left field.

In center field, Alejandro de Aza has given the White Sox a legitimate leadoff hitter. Batting .298, de Aza has been a stat machine. He has four homers, 24 RBI, 29 runs and 13 stolen bases. He also has nine doubles and three triples, showing speed off his solid hits.

Alex Rios, like Adam Dunn, is showing off a hot bat following a disappointing season last year. Rios is hitting .289 with five home runs, 28 RBI and six stolen bases. He has hit nine doubles and three triples, keeping up pace with de Aza.

Backups Brent Lillibridge and Kosuke Fukudome have done an admirable job. Lillibridge has filled in all over the field, notably possessing seven stolen bases. Fukudome has played well in the field, but struggled in the batter's box. 

All in all, the outfielders have been putting in solid work in all offensive categories.