Chicago White Sox: 5 players out of MiLB options

Hector Noesi – RHP (starter)

Feb 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Hector Noesi poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hector Noesi pitched 4.1 innings against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon, where in the no-decision he allowed two earned runs on two hits and one walk. One of those two hits was the first home run he allowed this spring.

Speaking of his complete spring thus far, Noesi has a 2.89 ERA in 9.1 innings of work. Noesi also this spring has walked just two, and even with a bit of a rough outing (compared to his previous two starts) is all but set to pitch in the starting rotation to begin the ’15 season.

Noesi’s win-loss record of 8-12 kind of doesn’t do him complete justice for his play in ’14. Sure, he could have pitched better, but in 172.1 innings he did keep the opposition to a .271 average, and he did have 123 strikeouts in those innings pitched.

He made 27 starts in ’14, and being the fourth or fifth starter in this rotation in ’15, I think he’ll be able to have a better win-loss record with the improvement the White Sox made with their bullpen, added to the experience the RHP gained with the White Sox last season. Last season marked what was just his fourth MLB season and the first season he made over 20 starts a year.

I’m not saying Noesi is going to become a lights-out starter for the White Sox, but if he can just pitch with some consistency with an ERA a little closer to 4.00 rather than 5.00, he can help make a positive impact on the roster. If not, I’m sure there will be a certain No. 1 overall prospect waiting for his turn in the majors sometime this season.

Next: A reliever making his case for Opening Day