Imrem: Let the Schwarber-Rodon debate rage on

As a lifelong Chicagoan and enthusiastic promoter of Cubs-White Sox conflict, here's something new to bark about.

A couple of events on the same day last week in Arizona inspired the issue.

Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber logged a few innings at catcher for the first time since busting up a knee nearly a year ago.

Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon was scratched from a scheduled start in a minor-league game because of tightness in his throwing arm.

Little connection on the surface.

A position player and a pitcher … North Sider and South Sider … rebuilt team and rebuilding team … National League and American League …

Except, there was the reminder that Rodon and Schwarber were selected in the first round of the 2014 draft, the former at No. 3 overall and the latter at No. 4.

Less than three years later, Schwarber is a Bunyanesque folk figure for his role in the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory.

Meanwhile, the Sox still expect Rodon to continue developing into a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.

Schwarber is ready to go as the Cubs' left fielder, leadoff hitter and emergency catcher after his injured knee forced him to miss nearly all of last year's regular season.

Rodon, slated to be the Sox's fifth starter for now, has bursitis in his throwing arm that is expected to confine him to the disabled list on Opening Day.

Ideally, Schwarber will become Babe Ruth over the course of his career and Rodon will become Sandy Koufax.

But if hooked up to lie detectors, don't White Sox fans really want Schwarber to become a left-handed Kevin Orie and don't Cubs fans want Rodon to become a left-handed Lance Broadway?

The Sox, the Cubs and the 2012 draft flash back to 1987 and '88, when both of Chicago's teams had high draft picks that altered their near futures.

First, the Cubs took Mike Harkey at No. 4 overall and the Sox followed with Jack McDowell one pick later.

Harkey pitched five years for the Cubs, going 26-21; McDowell pitched seven years for the Sox, going 91-58 and winning the 1993 Cy Young Award.

Advantage: Sox.

Next, the Cubs took second baseman Ty Griffin at No. 9 overall and the Sox took third baseman Robin Ventura one pick later.

Griffin never played a game for the Cubs; Ventura became an all-star with the White Sox.

Advantage: Sox again.

Schwarber made a mighty splash in the World Series after being out nearly all of last season.

But Schwarber hasn't played an entire major-league season yet. He still has to prove he can hit over the long haul, provide at least acceptable defense in left field and hold up physically.

Speaking of holding up physically, Rodon has to prove his promising left arm can be healthy and he can develop into what the Sox expect him to be.

Schwarber and Rodon - Schwarber vs. Rodon - might be an ongoing crosstown classic over the next few years.

The White Sox are the team that could be embarrassed this time after passing on Schwarber the way the Cubs passed on Ventura a quarter-century ago.

Both Schwarber and Rodon are 24, so if the former is ahead right now, the latter has time to catch up.

This might be the next Cubs-Sox debate that rages for years to come on Chicago-area playgrounds, street corners and bar stools.

mimrem@dailyherald.com