White Sox: Which Pitcher Should Be Promoted from Charlotte?
White Sox lack of depth with starting pitching hurting team early. Which pitcher from Triple-A Charlotte should be promoted to replace struggling South Side starters?
The Chicago White Sox have a problem with their starting pitching. Although Jose Quintana, Derek Holland and Miguel Gonzalez have had solid outings, the Sox lack of depth has hurt the team. With injuries to Carlos Rodon and James Shields however, the Sox pitching depth has been exposed.
Dylan Covey who was selected in the Rule 5 draft this past offseason has struggled to escape the fifth inning this season other than one start. Mike Pelfrey, who was signed to a minor-league contract after the start of the season has yet to record a win in any of his starts. Although the Sox aren’t expected to contend in 2017, they still need better results from their starting pitchers.
The Sox have three pitchers who are off to solid starts for Triple-A Charlotte. Carson Fulmer, Tyler Danish and Reynaldo Lopez have each had success to begin the 2017 campaign and they could be promoted to the Sox later this season. However, should one or more of these players be promoted sooner if they continue succeeding for the Knights?
Although the Sox don’t want to rush any prospects, any of the aforementioned pitchers could be promoted before the All-Star break. The Sox need depth in its starting rotation and they have viable replacements in the minors. If the Sox are able to promote any of their better starters from Charlotte, it could bode well for the team. Let’s look at each of the Knights top starters for this season as one or more of these players could be wearing a Sox uniform soon.
Tyler Danish
Danish, the Sox 2013 second round draft pick has had a solid start to his season for the Knights. The right-handed pitcher is 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA. Although his win-loss total is under .500, Danish hasn’t given up more than one home run in any of his starts for Charlotte. Danish has allowed just three home runs this season. Other than one start, Danish hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any other start.
The Sox promoted Danish last season from Double-A Birmingham and his results were poor. Danish compiled a 10.80 ERA in just 1.2 innings pitched for the Sox. He only recorded one strikeout while allowing three walks. After his unsuccessful stint with the Sox, Danish was demoted to the Knights. Danish would finish the 2016 season with Charlotte with a 1-3 record and 5.83 ERA.
Danish has been effective for the Knights on the mound this season. In his previous start for Charlotte on Tuesday, Danish posted his third quality start of the 2017 campaign. Danish pitched six innings and recorded four strikeouts. He would be saddled with the loss, but his outing was solid for the Knights. If the Sox want to promote a pitcher from Charlotte, they could very well look at Danish. He has the most experience out of the aforementioned players. However, does he have staying power to last as a starter in the major leagues?
Carson Fulmer
Fulmer is off to a great start for the Knights. Through six starts, the 2015 first round pick is 4-1 with a 2.88 ERA for Charlotte. Fulmer has posted four quality starts this season. With his success to start 2017, could Fulmer be promoted to the Sox as a starting pitcher?
Last season, Fulmer was promoted to the Sox after the All-Star break. After having a successful end to his first half with the Birmingham Barons, Fulmer was a member of the Sox in late July. However similar to Danish, Fulmer wasn’t successful as he compiled an 0-2 with an 8.49 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched. The Sox demoted Fulmer to the Knights last August where he finished his season.
Fulmer actually had a solid end to his 2016 campaign. The eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.94 ERA for the Knights last season through four starts. Although he had solid end to his season in 2016, Fulmer began this season with Charlotte to get more work as a starting pitcher. In 34.1 innings pitched thus far, Fulmer has recorded 25 strikeouts while allowing only 11 walks. Hitters are hitting .222 against Fulmer with the Knights in 2017 compared to .233 in 2016.
Much like Danish, the Sox could promote Fulmer as a starting pitcher. The Sox will most likely want to see more progress from Fulmer before another promotion, however is he able to have success in the major leagues as a reliever or a starter?
Reynaldo Lopez
The Sox received a bevy of pitchers in exchange for Adam Eaton in a offseason trade with the Washington Nationals. One of those pitchers, Lopez has also been off to an impressive start with the Knights this season.
On Thursday, Lopez posted his fourth quality start of the season. Lopez pitched six innings while giving up just one earned run and recording four strikeouts. The 23-year-old pitcher and Sox fourth ranked prospect has been stellar for Charlotte this season. With his win on Thursday, Lopez improved his record to 4-1 and lowered his ERA to 3.88.
If the Sox were to consider promoting any of their top pitchers in Charlotte currently, Lopez could be the best option. Lopez hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any start since his second outing of the season. He also has experience starting in the majors unlike Danish and Fulmer. With the Sox rebuilding, they could keep each of their young starters in Charlotte for much longer. However, how much longer will Sox fans have to endure poor outings from Pelfrey or Covey?