Chicago White Sox: Three players on the hot seat in spring training
SP . Chicago White Sox. Carlos Rodon. 55. player. 128.
Carlos Rodon would still look good in the Chicago White Sox rotation.
The White Sox have yet to tap into Rodon’s full potential as a pitcher. Every time they come close, Rodon seems to come down with an injury. The southpaw was drafted as the best pitcher out of college baseball in 2014. He had a short timetable to the majors and was pitching for the White Sox the following year. He got off to a fast start until injuries began to derail his upward trajectory.
He has had a rough road that has included a sprained wrist in 2016, bicep bursitis in 2017, shoulder inflammation when he returned in 2017 that rolled over into the 2018 season, and then a Tommy John surgery that knocked him out of the 2019 season after just seven starts. As the medical bills have piled up the White Sox patience has dwindled.
Carlos Rodon was non-tendered by the White Sox early in the offseason. The breakup did not last long as the White Sox brought him back on a one-year deal. He will be making $3 million dollars in guaranteed money this year which gives him the inside track position on the final spot in the rotation that is up for grabs.
Even if he does not win the job there is a good chance he will be put in the bullpen because of the money the White Sox invested in him. However, with Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet ticketed for the bullpen there are not many roles in there available. Rodon’s performance coming out of the bullpen last season does not help his cause. Rodon never looked comfortable there and views himself as a starting pitcher.
If he wants to be a starter this year he will need to beat out Reynaldo Lopez. Despite the competition, Rodon says he is still rooting for his teammate.
"“I’m always pulling for him, and I know he’s always pulling for me,” Rodon said. “So that thing will take care of itself and it is what it is.”"
He has impressed so far in his limited Cactus League action. He threw two scoreless innings in his season debut on Thursday. He has cited the benefits of working with new pitching coach Ethan Katz.