Rotation Depth
Jun 20, 2013; Omaha, NE, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack pitcher Carlos Rodon (16) during the College World Series game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA Today Sports
Carlos Rodon:
Rodon has a first-class ticket to Chicago, and I think he’ll arrive after his service time requirement locks. I just can’t envision Rick Hahn keeping him down there if the White Sox are honestly serious about a playoff run.
Rodon is already quite polished, and his 80-grade slider is already one of the best pitches in all of baseball. He flashed his potential this spring with a 9 K effort over four innings against the Kansas City Royals.
According to MLB.com’s Bernie Pleskoff, he recently wrote that the White Sox have a special player in Rodon:
"“Every time I see him pitch, I am more impressed with Rodon’s maturity and the way he attacks hitters. He had a fabulous spring in Arizona. Even with Rodon’s limited one season of experience, he made a very strong case to be considered for a role in the team’s rotation. It didn’t happen right out of camp, but it could very well happen sooner than later.”"
It makes sense to gain the extra year of team control, and in truth Rodon needs to develop his change-up into a least an average offering if he will indeed be successful at the big league level. It just isn’t realistic that he can rely on his slider as much in Chicago as he did at NC State.
If Rodon’s change-up is effective in Triple-A, he’ll be on the South Side in no time.
Feb 22, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Chris Beck (71) poses for a photo during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Beck is the White Sox’s closest minor league right-hander to the majors so an injury to Jeff Samardzija or ineffectiveness by Noesi will land him in the majors in short order.
Frank Montas:
Yes, there’s a chance Montas sees a spot start this year, or at least a September call-up, but the White Sox will likely continue to season him as a starter at the minor league level.
Erik Johnson:
The former No. 2 White Sox prospect will see U.S. Cellular Field’s mound again if he can even sniff the type of production that was earning him early Curt Schilling comps.
Scott Carroll:
He’s probably the first in line to see a spot start as he posted a 1.59 ERA over 11 innings this Spring.
With success at Triple-A, he could still be in the plans.
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