White Sox: 2017 An Important Year for Carlos Rodon
White Sox 2014 first round pick entering important season for his development as top starting pitcher. Can the young hurler take next step and become an ace?
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon has had a solid but inconsistent start to his MLB career. Despite his 18-16 career record, the 2014 first round draft pick (3rd overall) has shown glimpses of brilliance at times, but he’s also been inconsistent.
With the Sox in the midst of rebuilding, 2017 will be a very important year for Rodon’s development. Rodon could be the Sox number two starter when the season begins, but he will need to maintain consistency throughout this season in order to live up being selected with the third pick in the 2014 draft.
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Rodon had a solid 2016 campaign in which he went 9-10 with a 4.04 ERA. Despite a higher ERA than his rookie season in 2015, Rodon pitched more innings (163) and recorded more strikeouts (168) in 2016. Rodon ended his 2016 season with two impressive starts against the Cleveland Indians on Sept. 25 and the Minnesota Twins on Sept .30.
In his start against the Indians on Sept. 25, Rodon pitched eight scoreless innings while recording a career-high 11 strikeouts. This was against the eventual American League Champions on the road. In his final start of the season against the Twins on Sept. 30, Rodon pitched six innings giving up two earned runs and recording 10 strikeouts.
If Rodon is able to mimic his final two starts of last season for this upcoming season, he could finally realize his potential as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Although the Sox aren’t expected to contend this season, they will still need another durable starter in their rotation. Rodon hasn’t pitched 200 innings in his career, and this could be the season where he eclipses that total.
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The Sox have a potential future ace in Rodon, and they could very well boast a solid rotation with Lucas Giolito and Carson Fulmer soon. If Rodon is able to maintain consistency throughout the upcoming season, he could find himself as the teams ace next season.