Chicago White Sox: Projecting the perfect 2021 rotation in order
The Chicago White Sox has to be considered one of the three favorites to come out of the American League going into 2021. They have a lot of talent in every which direction. In 2020, it was the first year that some of that talent started to come together. We saw them make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. It was a special year for sure. Now, the special year is turning into pressure to take another big step. A big reason is their pitching.
For one, we know they are going to score a lot of runs. That is very important to this team, especially when you look at their starting lineup. It is loaded with All-Stars that are on an upward trajectory. It is scary to think about when you realize they haven’t even scratched the surface of their potential.
The Chicago White Sox pitching needs to support their offense in 2021.
With all of that offensive firepower, the pitching needs to step up. As mentioned before, the reason we believe they will take the next step is their pitching. They have made some offseason acquisitions that should change the way they do things. One of the biggest additions is the manager, Tony La Russa. He is going to come in and try and get them all in the best position to succeed.
When it comes to putting together a good staff, you need to get your starters and bullpen all set. The bullpen is loaded with studs that are all different types of pitchers. The rotation is no different. When you think about their current rotation, it is fair to assume they will have a really good season. That will happen if they go out in this order:
The Chicago White Sox now have a “big three” in their starting rotation.
The Chicago White Sox rotation’s success in 2021 starts and ends with the big three. Tony La Russa already announced that Lucas Gioltio will be the Opening Day starter. He also announced that Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn are going to follow him in that order. Keuchel being sandwiched between Giolito and Lynn makes perfect sense because of handedness. It goes right, left, right which will be really nice for matchup purposes.
Giolito is a bonafied ace. He is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. The best part about it is the fact that he is still very young. He is going to be this team’s ace for a very long time. He is a perfect Opening Day, the first day of the playoffs, game one of the World Series type of ace. He knows how to win the big game and be obsessed with getting it done.
As for Keuchel and Lynn, both of them joined Giolito as top-ten Cy Young finishes in 2020. If they are all that good again in 2021, there is no doubt that they will have one of the best rotations in the sport. There are some really young starters that want to get on this level and have the potential to. Having these three to look up to makes it a lot easier.
player. 128. . SP. Chicago White Sox. Dylan Cease. 84
Dylan Cease could end up being one of the best number fours in the entire league.
Dylan Cease is a phenomenal young pitcher. He has had an up and down MLB career so far but he hasn’t even made 30 starts yet. His potential is as good as any of the White Sox’s big three. He has the stuff to be elite, he just needs to continue learning to harness it. Ethan Katz, who gets mentioned a lot when it comes to White Sox pitching, has really been helping him out this offseason/spring training.
Cease reaching his potential will be decided by seeing if he can command his pitches better. We already know how nasty he can be. If he can keep his pitches near the strike zone enough while also fooling hitters with the offspeed movement, he will become one of the best pitchers on the team. It is scary to think about him being as productive as Lynn, Giolito, and Keuchel.
There could even be a world where he ends up higher in the rotation one day. You never know. If he starts to turn the corner in 2021 like we know he can, he could be one of the best number fours in the entire league. That would really bode well for the White Sox in the playoffs if it ever came down to it. Expect Cease to really be good this season.
128. . SP. Chicago White Sox. Carlos Rodon. 55. player
The Chicago White Sox really could use a big year from Carlos Rodon.
For right now, Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet are going to be coming out of the bullpen. They are flamethrowing pitchers that expect to be starters someday. It is fair because the team wants to ease them in when the time is right. Coming in and shutting the opposition down later in the game makes perfect sense for them in this situation. They might be in the rotation one day but for now, the bullpen is their home.
Cease feels like a lock to be in the rotation with the big three so it came down to Carlos Rodon and Reynaldo Lopez. Rodon has a much higher ceiling but he has always found a way to get hurt throughout his MLB career so far. He was one of the best pitchers in the nation during his draft year and that is why the White Sox selected him with the third overall pick of the draft. They are taking one more chance on him and his potential.
So far in spring training, he has taken the lead for the job. Lopez hasn’t been the best and Rodon was really good in his time up to this point. If he can come in and be the number five for most of the season, the White Sox will win a lot of games. There is not much pressure on him in this situation in terms of being the ace. There is pressure, however, based on the fact that he needs a contract next year.
Related Story. The perfect 2021 Chicago White Sox lineup. light
This group could help the White Sox win a lot of games. If it sticks like this, that would mean they are all playing well and winning games. Anything can happen with Lopez, Crochet, and Kopech but for now, this seems like the best group. It would be nice to see it all pan out.