CHICAGO – Few outside the organization pegged the White Sox as serious playoff contenders, let alone a threat to win a division many had already conceded to the Detroit Tigers.

One season removed from an underachieving mess that resulted in a new coaching staff, the Sox find themselves atop the AL Central. Turnaround performances by Alex Rios and Adam Dunn, both on pace for career years, and All-Star pitchers Chris Sale and Jake Peavy have certainly fueled the Sox’s first-place standing.

But the emergence of nine rookies – including seven pitchers, led by closer Addison Reed, reliever Nate Jones and starter Jose Quintana – has the Sox vying for their first playoff appearance since 2008.