There are some starters that will begin the season in the Chicago White Sox bullpen.
The Chicago White Sox have two starters that are going to begin the year in the bullpen. Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet are both incredibly talented flamethrowers. They can each hit 100 on the radar gun whenever they want but need more development. That will come in 2021 via the bullpen which is an incredible advantage for the Chicago White Sox.
Having two prospects like this that are projected starters in a bullpen to start the season is incredibly unique. The White Sox believe these two will be at or near the top of the rotation in a few years. That is something that they can take advantage of here in 2021.
The perfect place to find these guys this season is as long relievers. They are each capable of throwing three innings of relief after the starter goes for five or six. If one of the starters has a short outing, they also might be smart to use one of these two. Following someone like Dylan Cease or Carlos Rodon is a good option as well. These guys can be the bridge from the starting pitcher that day to the closer.
The hope is that the five who begin the year as starters play well enough to keep that job. That would allow the bullpen to have studs like Crochet and Kopech all year long. It is the type of situation that could lead to them having as good of a unit as they will ever have.