White Sox young hurler continues dominance with win over Kansas City on Sunday. The pitcher is experiencing better success in second MLB stint.
If the Chicago White Sox rebuild is going to be successful, they will need solid contributions from their starting pitchers over the next few seasons. So far, Lucas Giolito has provided the Sox with some good performances since being promoted in August.
On Sunday, Giolito had another quality start for the Sox in the team’s 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Giolito pitched seven strong innings to propel the Sox to their 63rd victory which will ensure the team won’t lose 100 games this season. The 23-year-old pitcher recorded five strikeouts while allowing no walks and just one earned run.
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Giolito has been very impressive over seven starts this season with the Sox. Currently he has a 3-3 record with a 2.38 ERA in 2017. This is much better than his brief stint with the Washington Nationals last season. In 2016, Giolito went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA through four starts. The former top prospect wasn’t able to fulfill his promise with the Nationals.
However, the Sox are enjoying a revival from the 2012 first round draft pick. Giolito has done a good job of limiting walks in his second MLB stint. When he was promoted to the Nationals last season, he allowed 12 walks through six appearances. His walk per nine innings rate sat at 5.1 for Washington in 2016.
This season, through seven starts Giolito has only allowed 12 walks for a 2.4 BB/9 rate. Giolito has also done a better job of keeping the ball in the ballpark. In 2016, Giolito allowed seven home runs for a home run rate of three per nine innings. With the Sox this season, Giolito has allowed eight home runs through seven starts, three of which came in his first start on August 22. His HR/9 rate is just 1.6. Giolito’s WHIP has also improved from 1.781 in 2016 to an astonishing 0.949 this season.
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The Sox will have a stable starting rotation next year featuring Giolito, Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez and yes, James Shields. Giolito’s emergence this season is a good sign for the Sox rebuilding efforts. If Gioltio can finish 2017 strongly, he could very well be in line to become the team’s ace for 2018. Giolito is showing why he was a top prospect with Washington, but he will need consistency next season in order to become a top of the rotation starter for the Sox.