If there’s a theme from the White Sox summer camp, it’s optimism. The team believes he is a contender and there has been little evidence to suggest otherwise.
The lineup is formidable with the additions of Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnación and Luis Robert to promote a group that already included Tim Anderson, Yoán Moncada, José Abreu and Eloy Jiménez. The bullpen is loaded with talented arms, even if their roles could be determined on the fly. And the initial rotation is, yes, deep.
That last point has probably already drilled into your head. And it’s true: Even though Michael Kopech chooses not to participate in the 2020 season, the White Sox could reach six to start the season with young prospects like Dane Dunning and Jimmy Lambert ready to go behind the rest of the group.
But how proven is the initial rotation?
Lucas Giolito has had a summer camp strong enough to suggest that he can continue to grow in his role as the ace of staff. And no pitcher on the White Sox staff has looked better than Dallas Keuchel. In his last two in-squad / exhibition job outings, Keuchel allowed just one hit and, against the Cubs on Monday, he faced a minimum of 15 hitters in five innings of work.
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But after Giolito and Keuchel, how many tested products are there?
That is why the success or failure of the Chicago White Sox 2020 could be in the hands of these three pitchers: Dylan Cease, Reynaldo López and Carlos Rodón.
All three are talented. All three must demonstrate that they can be consistent and reliable initiators.
“It is vitally important that we get those three guys right,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Wednesday. “It goes without saying that I think we will try to do everything possible to maximize its effectiveness. They are the ones who obviously have to go out and be efficient and do what they have to do to give us tickets, and that requires efficiency, in command of the area. ”
The three pitchers are in slightly different situations, but all of them also face a crucial two-month period in their respective careers.
Rodón, especially, knows it. Now 27 and after Tommy John’s surgery, he needs to show the White Sox that he can stay healthy. He believes he is in the starting rotation after spending five innings on 67 pitches in the Wednesday night exhibition against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I’ve been saying this for a long time, I feel like three or four years have passed, but I keep saying this: It seems like I have something to prove, I’m just hurt all the time,” said Rodón. “It’s not fun, that’s for sure.”
Rodon’s career with the White Sox has been anything but easy. His talent often shines, but has been overshadowed by injury. His post-game Zoom session with reporters on Wednesday became emotional as he reflected on his way back from Tommy John surgery in May 2019.
“It was not easy, especially this one that came out of one shoulder (surgery),” he said. “Honestly, having my baby, Willow, helped me get through TJ. And it has been a journey, man. “
Rodón started pitching last October and went through a grueling rehab to get back to this point. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, you will likely have a chance to start the season in rotation.
“I put myself in the position of being on this team and, as we know, I hope I can do that and start one of the games here soon,” said Rodón. “I was quite lucky. For me it was a good thing. I don’t want to put it that way, this pandemic has been a terrible luck for everyone, but I guess it helped a little bit. “
López is in a similar position in that this feels like a decisive season. After showing signs of dominance in 2018, Lopez really struggled in 2019. He could have the shorter strap if he’s struggling during this 60-game period.
Cesar, who is still only 24 years old, will have much more patience since he only has 20 major league starts to his name, but expectations are high and it is so crucial for him to fulfill.
“It is a great time for them in terms of, for example, that Rodón comes back and restores himself healthy and feeling good, the other two continue to evolve and develop who they are as great players,” Renteria said.
With Gio González, 34, still in the mix and Dunning and Lambert adding depth, it’s not as if Cease, López and Rodón need to be shut down in 2020. But if two of the three take a significant step forward, Los Medias White should have a rotation worthy of making the playoffs, with the potential to do even more. Even if only one of them takes off, they must contend.
But if neither of them finds consistency in 2020, well, the young White Sox probably won’t find consistency as a team either.
“Whether we started in April or now, this is a crucial moment in their careers and for us as an organization, and we are very hopeful that they will do well,” said Renteria. “We will make adjustments as necessary to continue to push them in the right direction.”
It’s certainly fun to talk about Luis Robert, Eloy Jiménez and all the young talents that the White Sox possess. Your competitive window should be open for many years.
But how open is it now? That question will probably be answered by Dylan Cease, Reynaldo López and Carlos Ródon.
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