White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said he fully expects Michael Kopech to be back in action when spring training begins in February.
Kopech, the fireballing right-hander who opted out of the 2020 season, has kept contact with the organization during his absence.
“Zero mystery whatsoever,” Hahn said Monday. “We look forward to having Michael back with us come the start of spring training. He’s been in contact with primarily the minor league pitching coaches and sharing the program he was working on, getting their input on it. In fact, he recently reached out to recommend an individual who was let go by another organization as a potential add for us to our organization.
“So he’s obviously fully invested and committed and remains the same view of him as when we announced he was opting out of the season, that we still see his future as very bright and has the potential to be a very impactful arm for us for a very long time.”
Pitching for the first time in March after he underwent Tommy John surgery, Kopech touched 100 mph and threw a perfect Cactus League inning against the Texas Rangers in Glendale. But Kopech, 24, has appeared in only four major league games including 14 1⁄3 innings, allowing eight earned runs and four homers.
The Sox were banking on him to be a part of the 2020 season and could have used him as they ran short on starting pitching in the playoffs.
He has not pitched in two seasons.
“Overcoming the two years of not facing big league hitters is something we’re going to have to work through together,” Hahn said. “And managing the workload and our own expectations. But in terms of his commitment being part of this, no mystery whatsoever.”
Encouraging news on Garrett Crochet
Hahn also said that prized rookie left-hander Garrett Crochet, who exited the Sox’ Game 3 loss to the A’s in the Wild Card series with a tight left forearm, has a flexor strain. Hahn said Crochet’s UCL is fine and he is expected to be at full strength for spring training.
Drafted in June as a starter, Crochet touched 102 mph and did not allow a run in five relief appearances in the regular season and one in the postseason.
“I still think he’s going to be a starter long term,” Hahn said. “You saw, in a limited sample, some real nice changeups. Obviously the fastball velo is apparent. You saw some quality sliders for swings and misses. There were only a couple changeups he flashed, maybe in Cleveland, that’s a real pitch for him. So again, a guy with a three-pitch mix, all potentially plus, a couple plus-plus, that’d be a real nice thing to have in your rotation.”
Hahn said what Crochet did in relief can’t be overlooked, though, and his path to starting could come on a reliever’s track, possibly building up length in the minor leagues and working his way back to the major league staff in the bullpen.
“That said we’re dealing with a player in retrospect who will wind up having thrown like 13 innings between collge and the pros in 2020,” Hahn said. “What is the best path to getting him to fulfilling that ceiling as a starter, we’ll have to talk that through.”
Madrigal has surgery
Rookie second baseman Nick Madrigal had the surgery on his left shoulder, as expected, and faces a five-six month recovery which could put him behind for the start of spring training.
- Jimmy Lambert’s forearm injury was more severe than Crochet’s, Hahn said, but he is expected to start a throwing program soon and should also be ready for spring training.
- First baseman Andrew Vaughn is expected to contribute as a designated hitter and first baseman significantly in 2021, much like Madrigal and Luis Robert did this season at second base and center field, although Vaughn will not have the benefit of a 2020 minor league season.
