White Sox top prospect posts third consecutive quality start of season for Triple-A Charlotte Knights. The outing was young right-hander’s best start thus far.
Chicago White Sox fourth ranked prospect Reynaldo Lopez had his best pitching performance of the season thus far on Sunday. Lopez posted his third consecutive quality start of the season for Triple-A Charlotte Knights on the road in Columbus, OH.
The 23-year-old right-hander pitched six innings while allowing just one earned run and recording six strikeouts against the Columbus Clippers. Lopez allowed only three hits and one walk to the Clippers in a 3-1 Knights victory.
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The outing lowered Lopez’s ERA this season to 4.10. Since lasting three innings in his first start of the season, Lopez has steadily improved for the Knights. In his second start of 2017, Lopez gave up two home runs to the Durham Bulls. He hasn’t given up more than one home run in a start since, and didn’t give up a home run on Sunday.
Lopez was helped on Sunday by another Sox top prospect in Yoan Moncada. With the game tied 1-1 in the fifth inning, Moncada laced a two-run RBI single to left field to put the Knights on top 3-1. Lopez would last another inning , finishing his day with 84 pitches.
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The Sox pitching rotation is thin currently with loss of Carlos Rodon and James Shields to injuries. However, the Sox shouldn’t look to rush Lopez to the majors. With the team rebuilding, they can afford to allow Lopez time to continue developing with the Knights. Lopez could be the first starting pitcher to be promoted to the Sox this season out of their top prospects, but this promotion shouldn’t happen until he’s indeed ready.