Rotation
- Lucas Giolito
- Dallas Keuchel
- Lance Lynn
- Dylan Cease
- Carlos Rodon
- Michael Kopech
All offseason long, you have heard about the White Sox three-headed monster. Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, and Lance Lynn are all guys who had top-seven finishes for the American League Cy Young in 2020. They are all going to give the White Sox quality pitching at the top of the rotation and there is really no debate about their spots at the top. Below them is where it gets interesting.
Based on everything we have seen so far, it seems fair to assume that Dylan Cease is going to be one of the final two starters. It seems fair to give him that fourth spot but you never know who below him may impress. He has electric stuff but he needs to be able to command it better. Once that happens, they are going to have a stud on the mound when he goes.
Michael Kopech is one of the biggest question marks on the team. He has the arm to be the best pitcher in the organization. He can make 102 miles per hour fastballs move across the strike zone in a way that nobody else can. Injuries and off-the-field things have led to him not playing for a while but his return is highly anticipated. Some people might want him in AAA to start but having him with the big clubs getting starts is the best idea.
Carlos Rodon signed back with the White Sox late in the offseason. There is a chance that he is the fifth starter over Kopech but we know who they see as the future. It is nice to have Rodon there to try and improve his stuff because we once thought very highly of his potential as well. It is comforting to have extra starters as well in case of injury or performance issues. There are also some starters that will see time in the bullpen to open the year.