CLEVELAND — Extremely low expectations among White Sox fans entering the year made a 95-loss season tolerable and even fun for long stretches of time in 2017. At least part of that was due to something fans couldn’t have expected: a pair of elite middle-of-the-order hitters.
Coming off one of the worst seasons of his career at the plate, Avisail Garcia posted a jaw-dropping batting line. He hit .330/.380/.506 (137 wRC+) in a season that blew away every meaningful career best, and was barely outstripped by Jose Abreu, who hit .304/.354/.552 (138 wRC+). Between Abreu legging out six triples, most memorably his mad dash to cap his first career cycle, and Garcia sprinting out 26 infield hits, their fitness was hard to ignore.
Avisail Garcia and Jose Abreu credit improved fitness for dominant seasons
