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Biggest winners and losers from MLB’s first month

Caption: Apr 30, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) celebrates with Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) and Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Chicago White Sox

Apr 29, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (right) hugs right fielder Avisail Garcia (26) after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY

As far as baseball in the Second City goes, most of the attention goes to the Chicago Cubs. And deservedly so. The Cubs are the reigning World Series champs and lead the National League Central. But we expected them to be good. Their cross-town rivals are a different story.

The White Sox are rebuilding. This was known entering 2017. With a rebuilt farm system, Chicago had reason for optimism in the future. But 2017 was going to feature far more wins than losses. The 2016 team was 78-84 and two of its best players (Adam Eaton and Chris Sale) were traded for Minor League guys.

But the White Sox finished April at 13-10, only one-half game out of first place in the American League Central. Avisail Garcia has certainly been the catalyst. He leads Chicago in essentially every offensive category. But other hitters like Matt Davidson and Leury Garcia have also performed.

What’s amazing is that a great deal of the White Sox top players have under performed. Jose Abreu has only two home runs. Tim Anderson is slashing at .204/.237/.301. Jose Quintana has a 5.22 ERA. What happens when these guys start performing? What happens when super prospects like Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and Yoan Moncada find their way to the majors?

In the interest of fairness, we need to point out that the White Sox are kind of the opposite of the Blue Jays. The South Siders finished April of 2016 at 17-8, the best record in the American League. They finished under .500. So, nobody knows better than the White Sox how quickly things can change after a hot April.

But for a team that appeared to be unquestionably rebuilding entering the year, April was a clear positive. If nothing else, it gave a sign that the Cubs aren’t the only Chicago team with a pretty darn bright future ahead of it.

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