GLENDALE, Ariz. _ Rick Renteria understands fans who saw White Sox prospect Michael Kopech strike out five Cubs in two innings Friday might already be itching to see him at Guaranteed Rate Field this season.
But the manager also knows it's his duty to put the brakes on such accelerated dreams for a pitcher who's headed to high A or Double A when the club breaks camp.
"My desire is for people to not grow too impatient because they see the stuff we see over the spring," Renteria said Saturday. "That's normal. That's OK. Hopefully we make decisions that are sound for the long run."
In his last two outings since a rocky opener, Kopech has allowed one earned run on four hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in five innings. He averaged 100-101 mph with his fastball Friday.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said watching Kopech was "kind of like watching Aroldis (Chapman), the way the ball reacts at home plate."
"When you're in the dugout, the last 15 to 20 feet is just different the way the ball rises into the catcher's mitt," Maddon said. "A good delivery also. Nice breaking ball. Very interesting. Obviously young. ... I don't know what their plans are, but keeping that kid well for many years to come will be very successful to them."
Renteria stressed there are boxes Kopech needs to check off before he can continue his climb toward the big leagues.
"He has to continue to command the zone," Renteria said. "He was throwing his fastball and it was like, 'You're going to have to hurt me with that,' and he threw strikes, which is nice to see. But he has to develop his secondary pitches. ... He's an individual who needs experience."
