Baseball America’s release of its top 100 prospects Wednesday was a reminder that White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech is still just that, even though it seems like he’s been around long enough to be rid of that status.
Kopech has, after all, appeared in only four major league games. Those came after much fanfare and anticipation at the end of the 2018 season, which for Kopech and the Sox ended horribly when the right-hander tore the UCL on his pitching arm and required Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019.
Gut punches all around. Sixteen months later, Kopech finds himself ranked 33rd among baseball prospects (he was ranked No. 10 by MLB Pipeline when he made his Sox debut] eagerly awaiting the start of spring training in less than three weeks, where he is expected to throw without restriction. Is there a spot in the starting rotation waiting for him? Probably not, as the Sox won’t rush him. For one thing, there is nothing to gain by pushing the accelerator, and for another, a rotation of Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, Reynaldo Lopez, Dylan Cease and Gio Gonzalez should suffice in late March and April.
Some innings, perhaps at Class AAA Charlotte, might be in order after spring training.
“I assume that’s kind of what everyone is thinking, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t probably thinking the same thing,” Kopech said Wednesday. “But I’m still going to give myself that chance if it presents itself.
“I got to pitch in a couple of games toward the end of the season last year just in the instructional league and really getting to compete there was just that taste I was looking for. And hopefully this spring we’ll shake off any rust that I might have and I’ll get my chance, an opportunity to at least be in the conversation.”
Kopech was in town with his new bride, actress Vanessa Morgan, getting his shoulder length hair cut to a buzz to conclude “Kopech’s Big Kut,” a charity sweepstakes supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“I hate to take too much credit for something that’s much bigger than me,” Kopech said. “I just want to make a contribution to something that has a purpose. ... if I can do anything to kind of put families [dealing with serious health issues] in a good mindset at least, if nothing else, then I’m doing more than just playing baseball which is important to me.”
Kopech, 23, hasn’t played baseball since 2018 aside from his instructional league outings. When he gets back, there’s no guarantee the 100-plus mph or even upper 90s velocity he once possessed will be there, although Tommy John patients usually recover well and get their velocity back. But Kopech’s infatuation with popping triple digits is probably a thing of the past.
“I don’t know if I’m going to necessarily be that type of power pitcher again in my career,” he said. “I’m going to be a little bit smarter and cautious about how I pitch. That being said, velocity will always be a part of my game.”
The encouraging news is the arm feels good, maybe better than ever.
“Physically, I feel great,” he said. “Better than I probably have felt my entire baseball career since I was drafted. Mentally, I’m in a place that I think is stable and confident and prepared.”
As for the Sox’ expectations in 2020, which will be a hot topic of conversation at SoxFest this weekend, Kopech is taking the team’s offseason additions to go with a talented young core of which he is a part in stride.
“I don’t think any of us are too worried about the expectations people are putting on us because we always put high expectation on ourselves,” he said. “And if we hadn’t, we wouldn’t be in the position that we are. We embrace that.”
NOTE: After clearing waivers, right-hander Dylan Covey rejected an outright assignment to Class AAA Charlotte and becomes a minor league free agent.
