[batted balls]

Here's the way the White Sox look heading into the 1974 season:

Catchers--Ed Herrmann, Tom Egan, John Stearns; Steve Yeager lost to Philadelphia in the Rule 5 Draft; although Herrmann has some pop in his bat (15 homers in '73) this is an area in need of a upgrade if Stearns isn't ready

First Base--Dick Allen; his tremendous numbers of the past two seasons speak volumes

Second Base--Jorge Orta, Mike Andrews; Orta may be dealt for some pitching help while Andrews appears at the end of his career

Short Stop--Bobby Grich, Rich Morales, Luis Alvarado; Grich is the future but may be moved to second if minor leaguer Bucky Dent develops

Third Base--Mike Schmidt; his number for '73 (.239-one home run-7 RBIs) were modest but this guy will be the franchise for years to come

Outfield--Carlos May, Rick Reichardt, Pat Kelly, Jimmy Qualls, Jim Lyttle; this is a mixed bag with no true superstar material; Kelly and/or May might be dealt for pitching help

Starting Pitchers--J.R. Richard, Wilbur Wood, Stan Bahnsen, Tom Bradley; this is a group that needs to be upgraded; Richard needs to fulfill his promise

Relief Pitchers--Cy Acosta, Rich Gossage, Dan Neumeier, Terry Forster, Vincte Romo, Jim Geddes; a solid group that features two quality arms for the eighth and ninth innings in Gossage and Forster; one of the two may be moved for offensive help in the outfield