White Sox's top pitching prospect Kopech to start Tuesday
It's been nearly a full year since a promising prospect joined the White Sox's roster from Class AAA Charlotte.
On Aug. 23 of last season, Lucas Giolito got the call, not long after Yoan Moncada and Reynaldo Lopez were summoned to the majors from Triple-A.
That's about to change, and the Sox's rebuild is going to take an interesting step forward Tuesday night when top pitching prospect Michael Kopech joins the starting rotation.
The White Sox made the announcement on Twitter during Sunday's 7-6 win over the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Sox play at makeup game at Minnesota Monday, and when they return the following night for a two-game series against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field, the 22-year-old Kopech will be on the mound making his major-league debut.
"It's exciting," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "I think it's an exciting time for all of us. You know, he's one man. Very gifted, obviously, and he's someone that the fans and all of you (media) have been hoping at some point he'd be getting here.
"He's been throwing very, very well and doing a nice job of putting himself on track and I think that the organization feels that right now, this is the right time to allow him to make a step. We look forward to having him be here. We hope he comes in comfortable, relaxed, focused and just goes out there as himself."
Kopech has been a beast with Charlotte for much of the season, and the rocket-armed righty has 170 strikeouts in 126⅓ innings while going 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts.
Lopez, who started for the Sox on Sunday, was happy to hear Kopech is joining the rotation.
"Really good, really good," Lopez said through a translator. "We're going to have one of the best prospects in the game with us. He's one of the best and everybody thinks he's supposed to be a superstar and we're all excited."
Kopech, who was teammates with top White Sox prospect Eloy Jimenez at Charlotte since June 21, really stepped it up since mid-July.
Over his last 7 starts, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder had a 1.84 ERA, 59 strikeouts and only 4 walks in 44 innings.
"He's commanding," Renteria said. "I think he's using his fastball and secondary pitches effectively. You can see it is truly electric stuff. The ball comes out of his hand pretty easy. You see him executing.
"Once you get here, hopefully you maintain the same level of focus and confidence and execute. As he's been showing, it's time for him to get a look."
Sox catcher Kevan Smith played 30 games with Charlotte this season, and he is very familiar with Kopech.
"Heavy fastball, life toward the end," Smith said. "It's heavy. That's something he has. The last I caught him (May 18), we were playing with his changeup a little bit, trying to get his changeup numbers up. Right before I left (Charlotte), the changeup was getting put on the back burner a little bit. Working changeup-slider, maybe mixing in a slider.
"He's been throwing the ball great. I've been keeping up with what he's doing. No surprise he's here. He has one of the most intimidating fastball down in the zone whenever he can hit that spot consistently, which is what he's doing. He has confidence in all his pitches, attacking hitters. Any guy who steps in the box, they're for one going to feel his presence out on the mound, but when he's hitting his spots, filling up the strike zone, he's an impressive guy to watch."