Kopech sharp in first start with Class AAA Charlotte
When it comes to high-end prospects making the jump from the minor leagues to the majors, Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn's message has been consistent.
Needed development time is critical, to paraphrase the GM, but top young talent has a way of forcing the issue.
Last year, second baseman Yoan Moncada pushed his from Class AAA Charlotte to the Sox's 25-man roster in July.
Current starting pitchers Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito made it up in August.
Michael Kopech is next up on the watch list, even though he is a 21-year-old starter and the seventh youngest player in the International League, according to Baseball America.
Kopech made his first start of the season for Charlotte Monday night and was dazzling against Norfolk. Pitching 4 scoreless innings, the right-hander scattered 2 hits and had 8 strikeouts.
"I felt great out there," Kopech said told milb.com after throwing 77 pitches (51 strikes). "No nerves or anything. (Pitching coach) Steve McCatty and I worked on some things in my previous bullpens, so I felt very comfortable and in sync. I rolled with what we've been working on early and it showed."
Kopech is definitely on the White Sox's radar, and he could be in the rotation by June or July if he continues pitching like he did in Monday's debut.
Sox manager Rick Renteria said Kopech still needs minor-league innings and polish in his changeup.
"It's about trying to get them innings, trying to make sure they feel comfortable with the pitches they are supposed to be trying to command," Renteria said. "The changeup is a pitch we really need for him to continue to develop. The more game time he has with it, the more usage he has with it, the more comfortable he is going to be."
Jimenez update:
Out since late March after straining his pectoral muscle lifting weights, top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez played in his first extended spring training game on Monday and was scheduled to be back on the field Tuesday.
Ranked No. 4 overall in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list, Jimenez could be playing for Class AA Birmingham early next week if he remains healthy.
Sodfather love:
Roger Bossard's skills as a groundskeeper all well known around Guaranteed Rate Field.
On Monday, Bossard attracted national attention after removing almost 300 tons of snow, which allowed the White Sox and Tampa Bay to play while the Cubs and Pirates were postponed at Wrigley Field.
Bossard is as low key as they come, so he wasn't seeking any adulation.
"I've got such a good crew and I was just happy that we got it done," Bossard said. "It certainly was one of the top challenges I've ever had, but you know what? I thrive on that stuff. I love the challenge and thank goodness we got it done and everybody was happy. That's all that matters."