White Sox 2019 Season Preview: The Revamped Bullpen

Long Relief

Manny Banuelos hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2015 when he was with the Atlanta Braves. He was battling for the fifth starter spot this Spring Training and although he pitched well, he did make the team as a reliever to start this season.

The 28-year-old left-handed pitcher compiled a 4.16 ERA in 19 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts during Spring Training for the White Sox. He started just six games for the Braves in 2015 and hasn’t come close to reaching the Majors since that season. If he can sustain success this year with the Sox, expect him to become another successful turnaround story for pitching coach Don Cooper.

Another pitcher that could find success in the Sox bullpen this season is Dylan Covey. Covey was a Rule 5 draft pick by the Sox in 2016 and had a disastrous 2017 campaign. That season, Covey finished with an 0-7 record, 7.71 ERA through 18 total appearances. He made 12 starts in 2017 and only came close to pitching seven innings once.

In 2018, Covey again struggled as a starter but found success as a reliever. He finished the season with a 5.18 ERA but had a 2.25 ERA through six appearances out of the bullpen. This season, Covey will start in the bullpen and won’t likely start a game unless it’s to replace an injured starter. If both Covey and Banuelos can have success as long relievers in 2019, it will bode well for the rest of the bullpen.