(670 The Score) Veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel broke into the big leagues with an Astros organization that won 55 and 51 games in his first two seasons across 2012 and 2013. From there, a young core ascended and Houston emerged as the World Series champion in 2017.
Keuchel, 32, recognized something similar in the White Sox when he signed a three-year deal with Chicago this past offseason. He sought to join a rise similar to what he experienced with the Astros, and he believied the White Sox have the young talent to win for many years to come.
"One of the things that really piqued my interest early before I signed was the fact that the young guns had taken a step forward," Keuchel said after pitching three perfect innings in a scrimmage at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday afternoon. "Now, obviously, you have to take a lot of steps forward to be a household name.
"I saw a lot of improvement from '18 to '19. I saw a lot of the Astros with (Carlos) Correa, (Alex) Bregman and some of the younger guys, (Jose) Altuve when I saw him coming up, along with myself. It just reminded me a lot of that squad. I think they can be just as good as those guys. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I see a lot of that team in this team."
Though the Astros were disgraced by a sign-stealing cheating scandal being exposed -- one for which Keuchel has apologized -- the team's talent is unquestioned. Bregman posted an 8.5 WAR in 2019, barely second to Angels star Mike Trout. Altuve is a six-time All-Star and former AL MVP. Correa was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2015.
Now Keuchel is part of a new team with promising youth. White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson won the AL batting title last season. Third baseman Yoan Moncada emerged as one of baseball's best young players. Outfielder Eloy Jimenez hit 31 homers in 122 games as a rookie. Right-hander Lucas Giolito solidified his place as an ace.
But it's rookie center fielder Luis Robert who has truly impressed Keuchel early on in summer camp.
"The guy is a freak," Keuchel said. "He could be something special for years to come. I wholeheartedly know why the front office locked him up before he even got to the big leagues."
The White Sox enter this 60-game regular season hopeful to contend for the AL Central crown after three challenging years of rebuilding. The signing of veterans like Keuchel, catcher Yasmani Grandal, designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and left-hander Gio Gonzalez signaled the White Sox's readiness to win.
Though the short season brings much uncertainty, Keuchel believes the White Sox have a distinct advantage.
"The more-veteran team I feel like is going to be really, really good or middle-of-the-road to start," he said. "With a young team, you're going to get really, really good or really, really bad to start. If we can detour from really, really bad to start, we have a really good shot of staying in it and making a run at the Central, if not, a wild-card spot.
"The one area where youth does help is potentially a really, really hot start, just because of the athleticism there. They're fresh -- they're always fresh -- because they're so young. That's just really my opinion."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
