Chicago White Sox: Brad Penny project was worth a shot

It was a long shot to begin with, but the Chicago White Sox and Brad Penny project was worth a taking a chance on.

The White Sox signed Penny to a free agent minor league contract during the winter, and on Thursday he, along with Scott Carroll, was sent to the White Sox minor league camp.

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Aaron Gleeman of HardballTalk.com wrote about how the White Sox sent Penny to the minors, knowing they would have to pay him $100,000.

"Gleeman wrote: “The White Sox still think he’s worth stashing at Triple-A for the price of a $100,000 veteran’s retention bonus in addition to his salary, so Penny will be in Charlotte’s starting rotation waiting for another chance that should probably just go to a young pitcher.”"

Do I ever see Penny making the White Sox MLB roster?

No, not as a starting pitcher at least, but here is what I do like about this move, even though it does cost the White Sox $100,000 … maybe he can give a little back to the game and play the Crash Davis role from the movie “Bull Durham.”

Hopefully Penny can get close with the White Sox No. 1 prospect Carlos Rodon and show him how to become a true MLB player, because in his prime Penny was a very solid pitcher and knows what it takes to be a World Series champion as well.

Prospects with the White Sox could use a veteran like that with them in the minors.

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

Penny this spring with the White Sox went 1-1 with a 6.89 ERA in five games (three starts). He pitched 15 innings, and in those appearances he allowed 12 earned runs on 24 hits and four walks.

Penny allowed two home runs, but he did strike out nine, though the opposition hit .375 off him this spring.

In his final two starts with the White Sox in Cactus League play (against the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers), Penny pitched four innings each, allowing a totaled of nine earned runs (six against the Dodgers) and 13 hits.

In all five of his outings, Penny allowed no less than one earned run and three hits in each appearance.

To be honest, Penny’s best chance to ever make it on the White Sox roster would to be a member of the bullpen in long relief, or as a spot starter for a emergency start.

Being that he’s 37 years old, I hope my theory of him working with Rodon and prepping him for the majors turns into reality, and it can helped the prospect in the long run of his career.

That is just a thought though, but it will be worth keeping an eye on to see how Penny progresses with the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A when the season begins.

Who knows, maybe one day we’ll watch Penny make a start at U.S. Cellular Field this summer. A lot stranger things have happened in baseball, so it could become a reality one day.

Next: White Sox: Bullpen looks to make impact

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