33-year old lefty reliever Matt Thornton will be the White Sox’ lone representative unless Paul Konerko wins the vote for the last man in. Thornton has pitched in 34 games (0 starts) this season for the White Sox and he is 2-3 with 5 saves, a 2.86 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Thornton only has given up 23 hits in 34 2/3 innings this season while whiffing 48 batters showing just how nasty he has been this year. Thornton was likely picked for the All-Star team because he is one of the very best lefty relievers in the game so I think he deserves the honor.

When the White Sox signed 35-year old righty starting pitcher Freddy Garcia over the winter not many people thought he would make much of a impact in 2010. After all, from 2007-09 Garcia pitched in 23 games (all starts) in which he was 5-10 with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. This season though Garcia has been very solid for the Pale Hose. He has pitched in 14 games (all starts) for the White Sox this season and he is 8-3 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. I guess not too many White Sox fans should be surprised at how well Garcia is pitching for them this season. He has pitched in 105 games (all starts) in his 5 years with the White Sox and he is 51-28 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. The White Sox are praying that Garcia can stay healthy the whole year.

33-year old righty reliever J.J. Putz had a rough time with the Mets last season but you wouldn’t know it by watching him right now. Putz has pitched in 22 games (0 starts) for the Pale Hose so far this season and he is 1-2 with a 2.38 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. He has only given up 16 hits in 22 2/3 innings this season while whiffing 29 batters and only walking 4. A lot of other teams have been scouting Putz but with the White Sox’ sudden surge they likely won’t be looking to move him any time soon.

26-year old righty reliever Sergio Santos was a shortstop until last season when the White Sox converted him into a relief pitcher. Santos played 8 years in the minors at shortstop in which he played in 797 games and he was 712 of 2,867 (.248 avg, .699 OPS) with 380 runs scored, 72 homers, 373 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. The White Sox convinced Santos to convert to pitching after they informed him that he would have a better chance of getting to the major leagues that way. He had a rough time last season working in 26 games (0 starts) in A+AA+AAA-ball in which he was 0-3 with a 8.16 ERA and a 1.99 WHIP. But he showed enough last season to come into this year as the White Sox’ #13 prospect heading into this year according to Baseball America. Santos not only made the White Sox’ bullpen this spring but he has been dominating so far this year. Santos has pitched in 16 games (0 starts) for the White Sox and he is 0-0 with a 0.59 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He has only given up 8 hits in 15 1/3 innings this season while whiffing 20 batters showing what kind of stuff he has. I wouldn’t be surprised if Santos worked his way into the 7th inning role for the White Sox this season if he keeps pitching lights out.

25-year old lefty starting pitcher John Danks could have a breakthrough year in 2010 for the White Sox. He has the stuff to put up even better numbers than he has the last couple of seasons. Danks has started 2 games this season for the White Sox and he is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He has only given up 10 hits in 13 innings pitched while whiffing 12 batters showing that his stuff is right on so far this season. As long as Danks stays aggressive in the strike zone I think he will win at least 15 games this season.