White Sox: Predicting The 2018 South Siders Starting Rotation
Rodon should definitely expect to be the ace of the staff next year and possibly for the next few years to come. With two years of MLB service already under his belt, his stuff has been as good as it’s ever been even though he’s seen a few hiccups in between. He’s only had one rough start going all the way back on July 19 and he looks to have greatly improved from last season. From late July to late August of this season, he had five straight starts in which he did not allow more than two earned runs and four walks, went at least six innings and struck out nine or more twice.
2017 season: 12 starts/ 2-5/ 4.15 ERA/ 69.1 IP/ 76 SO/ 31 BB/
From July 25: 8 starts/ 1-2/ 3.49 ERA/ 49 IP/ 56 SO/ 16 BB/
As previously mentioned, Giolito has been fantastic in two of his first four starts for the White Sox. He has rotation ace capabilities and can fit that role if Rodon’s performance takes a step back. In a sample-sized assessment, Giolito looks prepared for the big-league level. It’ll be very exciting to watch him pitch with the Sox for the rest of the year. His 2017 numbers are 2-2 with a 2.84 ERA, 23 strikeouts and eight walks in 20 innings pitched. His opponents are batting .169 against him.
There was much more hype surrounding Lopez’s call up than Giolito’s but with good reason. Lopez was phenomenal down at Triple-A Charlotte while Giolito was failing to exceed his expectations early in the season. Lopez was the second of the key minor league call ups, following teammate Yoan Moncada’s call up in mid-July. Lopez has only made four starts but looks to have truly electric stuff. Lopez had one bad start (4.1 IP, six earned runs) in between three quality starts.
The start in which he allowed six earned actually saw him exit the game early with a stiff back. Lopez came back from the disabled list to throw six strong innings against the Rays but came away with the loss on Sept. 1. He has struck out no less than six batters in each of three starts. He has a strong arm and has a knack for strike outs. His strong starts this year definitely guarantee his spot in the rotation for next year.