Despite being one of the best stories in baseball this season, it appears there is still a “White Sox tax.”
The Chicago White Sox were on the wrong end of several head-scratching omissions in All-Star fan voting. Start with Munetaka Murakami, who finished third among American League third basemen despite launching 20 home runs in just 200 at-bats. Then there’s Miguel Vargas, who ranks among the top 20 players in baseball in total WAR, yet also finished third in the voting at his position.
Colson Montgomery may have the strongest case of all. The 24-year-old finished fourth among American League shortstops despite posting an .802 OPS with 20 home runs. Meanwhile, Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez earned more support despite carrying a .620 OPS and 13 fewer home runs.
You could also make a compelling case for Chase Meidroth, who failed to crack the top five among American League second basemen despite being tied for the highest fWAR at the position when voting closed.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
While some of these players may still earn a spot in the Midsummer Classic, there is one player in particular quietly putting together a legitimate All-Star case that hardly anyone seems to be talking about: Sean Newcomb.
Is he as talented as Grant Taylor? No. Is his ERA as impressive as Bryan Hudson’s? Also no. But there’s a strong case to be made that he’s been the most valuable member of the White Sox bullpen. In fact, his 1.6 WAR is the highest among any reliever on the staff.
Newcomb is in the midst of a career year. Through his first 31 appearances, he has posted a sparkling 2.54 ERA, owns one of the highest ground ball rates in baseball, and has been one of the best in the business at limiting hard-contact.
Newcomb ranks in the top 25th percentile of MLB pitchers in opponents’ hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity. He’s done all of this while serving as a valuable innings eater out of the White Sox bullpen, helping fill the void left by Mike Vasil, who occupied that role last season before being lost for the year to Tommy John surgery.
With 49.2 innings already under his belt this season, Newcomb is well on pace to surpass 100 innings. Not only has the 33-year-old southpaw been reliable. He has been versatile.
Newcomb joined the White Sox with hopes of earning a spot in the starting rotation. While that opportunity never materialized, he has embraced his role and excelled in whatever capacity the team has asked of him. The 10-year veteran has already made 21 appearances this season in which he’s thrown more than one inning.
Need an opener in a pinch against the Detroit Tigers? Newcomb is there to deliver three scoreless innings.
Clinging to a one-run lead against the Cleveland Guardians,, but Seranthony Dominguez has blown back-to-back saves and Grant Taylor isn’t available? Newcomb records a seven-out save, Goose Gosage style.
If Newcomb were on a lesser team, he would almost certainly be in the All-Star conversation. Unfortunately for him, the White Sox have a long list of deserving candidates, which likely means he’ll have to wait for his first All-Star appearance. Still, that shouldn’t take away from just how valuable he’s been this season.
In a season where the White Sox have surprisingly emerged as one of baseball’s most compelling stories, Newcomb has quietly been one of the stabilizing forces behind it all.
He may not command the headlines or highlight reels like some of his teammates, but his consistency, versatility, and willingness to fill whatever role is needed have made him indispensable on the South Side this season.
