At age 25, Lucas Giolito established himself as the ace of the White Sox’ starting rotation. Giolito wants that role to involve more than pitching every fifth day.
“It’s been a goal of mine to be a clubhouse leader, be a pitching-staff leader,” Giolito said. “It’s necessary to have leaders in each part of the clubhouse. I’ve always seen myself in that role. I’m pretty personable, I know how to talk to different types of people.
“There’s still so much to learn about the right way to play the game, go about our business, things I’m not 100 percent at. So I’m trying to learn from guys like Pito [Jose Abreu], [James] McCann, [Ivan] Nova, guys who have been around for a while, and start to employ some of the younger guys on the pitching staff.”
Giolito (14-8, 3.27), who made yet another strong start with seven innings of two-run ball in the Sox’ 5-4 loss to the Angels on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, may not be the Sox’ best starter next season.
“There is still more for me to show on the field, continue to put my time in here,” he said.
But he can listen, offer encouragement and share valuable food for thought as one who went from being a highly touted first-round draft pick to arguably the worst pitcher in the majors last season to an All-Star this season.
“Especially with the season I had last year,” Giolito said. “I learned a lot from that. From the right things or wrong things.
“It absolutely sucked going through it, but looking at the type of person and player I am now because of it, the benefits were amazing. When you go through the lowest of lows you have two choices: you can go up from there or let it suck you in and destroy whatever you’re trying to do. I went with the route of learning from mistakes, changing things and getting better. That’s the stuff I want to talk to other starting pitchers about.”
Giolito and Cease are deep thinkers, but drawing from his own experience, Giolito has advised Cease not to overthink in the moment.
“When you get out there, it’s compete time,” Giolito said. “We put our work in on the side, but when you go out there you have what you have, and that’s what you have to compete with.
“I want to do what I can to help Dylan and the other guys in our rotation with whatever knowledge I’ve gained over the years.”
Hidden figures
30th — Where White Sox hitters rank in the majors in walks. The Sox rank fifth in strikeouts.
13 — Games remaining with the Tigers (seven), Royals (three) and Mariners (three), three of the worst teams in baseball.
That’s what he said
“None.”
Rick Hahn, Sox general manager, when asked if service time had any factor in the decision not to promote Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal to the majors this month
“It’d be cool to go up there and hit a home run against a Chris Sale or something like that.”
Danny Mendick, September call-up, on making his major-league debut this week
“I know because my friend is going to play.”
Eloy Jimenez, with Mitch Trubisky jersey in hand, when asked by catcher James McCann if he even knew the Bears were playing their first game of the season Thursday
Did you know?
• Dylan Cease’s 11-strikeout performance in the Sox’ 6-5 win against the Indians on Tuesday ranks among the best by a Sox rookie. Jason Bere has the top two: 13 strikeouts against the Red Sox on Sept. 8, 1993, and 12 against the Angels on Sept. 20, 1993. Carlos Rodon (Aug. 11, 2015, against the Angels) and Chris Knapp (Sept. 13, 1976, against the Royals) also struck out 11.
• With 142 hits in the leadoff spot through Tuesday, Leury Garcia ranked fifth in the majors behind Whit Merrifield, Charlie Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu and Francisco Lindor. Garcia, who has played all three outfield positions, also was tied for first with 13 outfield assists, despite appearing in 19 games at shortstop, two at second base and one at third base.
