The Chicago White Sox top pitching prospect had a bumpy beginning to his Major League career but his start against the Mets was really good.
The Chicago White Sox were swept by the New York Mets today. As a team, things haven’t been going great but White Sox starter Dylan Cease had his best start in the Major Leagues. It was his fifth career start and he was credited with the loss, but this was another step towards reaching his full potential.
He had his stuff going today that looked like the stuff of a top 25 prospect in baseball heading into the season. He allowed four runs in seven innings. Those seven innings made it his longest outing so far. He gave up a solo shot to Robinson Cano in the second inning but once again a lowly inning cost Cease. He gave up three in the sixth inning and that would prove to be the game for the Mets.
There were some issues obviously but this was Cease’s best start by a country mile. It was a step in the right direction for him and hopefully a stepping stone into what he will become. He got no run support so the one bad inning cost him. This was his longest start since he went eight innings in his final start for Class-A Winston Salem in June 2018. This is going to be a long process and Cease still has some developing to do.
Nobody comes out of the gate and wins a Cy Young award. It takes time to become a high-quality Major League pitcher and Dylan has the time. He could be a part of a really special rotation by this time next year and beyond. He also won’t have the level of pressure as some other top pitching prospects in baseball because he is not the only young guy expected to contribute in the White Sox organization.
The White Sox are about to hit the road for another series against an NL East team when they play the Philadelphia Phillies. It should be an entertaining series for both clubs and the Sox are going to be looking to get back on track after a poor start to the second half.