White Sox: Bold Predictions for 2020 Starting Rotation
No. 5 Starter: Alec Hansen
CURRENT LEVEL: A, A+, AA
2017 SEASON: 11-8, 2.80 ERA, 141.1 IP, 191 SO
MLB ETA: 2019
The only pitcher on this list who was drafted by the White Sox front office, Hansen, possesses immense physical tools. The former second round pick by the Sox in the 2016 draft, was almost Colorado Rockies property instead of Chicago White Sox. Three years prior to the 2016 draft, the Rockies chose Hansen in the 25th round of the 2013 draft but Hansen chose to play at the University of Oklahoma and saw his stock immediately rise.
Charted at 6 feet 7 inches tall, Hansen was drafted with talk surrounding an almost triple-digit fastball and a tight breaking slider. Since being drafted, Hansen has a career 13-9 mark with a 2.39 ERA and an overpowering 12.5 K/9 rate over two full minor league seasons. Hansen was promoted to Double-A Birmingham in August of this year. He pitched just 10.1 innings at Birmingham and will almost undoubtedly begin his 2018 season in Double-A.
With his track record of high strikeouts already preceding him, it is to be expected that Hansen will only continue to breeze through minor league hitters until his eventual rise to the big league level at some point during the 2019 season. I have Hansen projected as the Sox number five starter, and not any higher than that, only because of his ceiling not being projected as high as the others that will eventually be on this list. Hansen’s dominance in the minors could easily translate to the majors and he can potentially slot in at any place in the future rotation of the Sox. but for now, Hansen will have to settle with being an incredibly talented number five starter on my list.
No.3 Starter: Reynaldo Lopez
CURRENT LEVEL: MLB
2017 SEASON: 3-3, 4.54 ERA, 41.2 IP, 23 SO (MLB)
MLB ETA: 2017
The first of the “Fearsome Five” (my nickname given to this future rotation) to reach the majors with the Sox, Lopez, has arguably the most experience at the MLB level. In just over 40 innings this season with the Sox, Lopez has struck out just 23 batters, a shattering drop from his 9.7 K/9 rate at Triple-A Charlotte. That should not be too much of a concern moving forward for the 23-year-old right hander. In June of 2012, as a fiery eyed 17-year-old phenom, Lopez signed out of the Dominican Republic as an international free agent.
After making his pro debut in 2013, Lopez breezed through the lower ranked minor league stage and found himself starting his 2016 season in Double-A. In his 14 starts with Double-A Harrisburg he posted a 3.14 ERA and saw himself promoted to Triple-A Syracuse and pitching in the MLB Future’s Game halfway through his 2016 campaign. On July 19, 2016, Lopez made his debut for the Nationals and tossed 4.1 innings and gave way to six earned runs, but he did strike out nine batters. Lopez would finish the 2016 season with a 5-3 record and a 4.91 ERA.
During the offseason Lopez, along with already mentioned starter Dunning, and Lucas Giolito were traded to the White Sox. Lopez became an instant cog in the great rebuilding machine. While Lopez has made just seven starts with the Sox this season, he has given fans a glimpse of what’s to come. His blazing 96-99 MPH fastball to go along with a wicked 77-82 MPH curve and a developing change-up makes him a starter with serious ace potential. As his first season with the Sox has ended, Lopez should be slotted in the No.3 spot in the rotation for the 2018 White Sox behind Giolito and Carlos Rodon.
Although he does have ace like potential and has always been projected that way, it will have to be seen whether Lopez can consistently harness his dominance. His short-arm delivery could be the cause for potential command issues, but it is most likely a problem that will figure itself out in time. It is almost unfathomable to think with Lopez’s potential that I have him projected only as my number three, but I guess that goes to show how talented this 2020 rotation will be.
No. 1 Starter: Lucas Giolito
CURRENT LEVEL: MLB
2017 SEASON: 3-3, 2.38 ERA, 45.1 IP, 34 SO
MLB ETA: 2017
Frontline starter, top of the food chain, or ace for short. All of these will be future synonyms for future number one starter of the 2020 White Sox Giolito. The 23-year-old pitcher is arguably already the most talented starter in the Sox rotation right now. His call up to Chicago this August was the most talked about move the Sox have made all season next to the call up of young phenom Yoan Moncada.
Giolito brought a mid 90’s fastball and a nasty hook to the South Side this season that resulted in him recording five quality starts in seven opportunities. All together that led to Giolito ending 2017 with a staggeringly low 2.38 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. His dominance dates all the way back to his high school days. In 2012, Giolito’s senior year of high school, he was projected by many to be the first overall pick in the country.
The perspective of that instantly changed once Giolito sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. He was still drafted 16th overall that same summer by the Washington Nationals. After Giolito signed nearly a $3 million dollar signing bonus, he underwent Tommy John surgery the following month. His arm strength and perseverance were put to the test, but Giolito did not plunder under this daunting task. Over the course of his four minor league seasons in the Nationals system, he rifled through minor league batters and most importantly, no injury relapses.
A 25-15 record with a 2.57 ERA over three minor league levels made Giolito the consistent top pitching prospect in all of baseball. He made his much anticipated debut in June of 2016. Giolito tossed four scoreless innings in his MLB debut for the Nationals, but struggled in the other 17 innings he threw for the rest of the season.
Last offseason, Giolito was the headliner of the deal that sent Eaton to the Nationals. As the 2017 season rolled around, Giolito started his year at Triple-A Charlotte and initially struggled. During the first half of his stint in Triple-A, Giolito went 3-8 with an ERA of almost 5.00. His confidence did not fault as Giolito quickly rebounded on his command issues and turned around his season in the second half; going 3-2 with a 3.29 ERA.
Next: White Sox End Series with Series Loss to Cleveland
His turnaround led to him gaining an August call-up with the Sox. Without much surprise to anyone, Giolito managed to thrive more in the majors. He earned his first MLB win with the Sox and proved to be their best pitcher down the stretch. If that is any indication of what’s to come, the Sox might have stumbled upon their generational pitcher. Giolito can hopefully enshrine himself in White Sox lore as one of the best ever throw a baseball.