Chicago White Sox: Michael Kopech was amazing in his return
The Chicago White Sox have known that Michael Kopech was special since the day they acquired him in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. He can get the ball in triple digits which is incredibly impressive but now he is starting to do things with that talent.
He made his MLB debut in 2018 before getting hurt. Recovery from Tommy John’s surgery along with an opt-out of the 2020 season made it where he hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since. He ended that streak last night against the Los Angeles Angels.
Michael Kopech was so great for the Chicago White Sox in his season debut.
Kopech came in and faced a really good Los Angeles Angels lineup. He had his usual gas pitches accompanied by his nasty off-speed stuff. He was very effective as he didn’t give up a single hit in two innings. He had three strikeouts. He was perfect through his first two innings in which he pitched. He came in and faced Mike Trout in his third inning but walked him. Tony La Russa pulled him after that for Evan Marshall so the 2.0 innings sits on the stat sheet.
It is very smart of the Chicago White Sox to manage Micahel Kopech’s inning and pitch count. He is so clearly one of the most talented pitchers in the organization and has the potential to be one of the most impactful pitchers in all of baseball. This was a good start to the rest of his career.
This was also a very rewarding moment for fans of this team. He came over in the trade that told the baseball world that the White Sox were going to rebuild the right way. The fact that he might actually pan out is something so special for this organization. He is an incredible talent and it was on full display for the first time in a long time.
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With the movement that he gets on baseballs that go 98 miles per hour or faster, it is very hard to hit. That much was clear in his first appearance. It is also obvious that he is very different than the guy who threw in 2018. He is trying to pitch the ball more than just throw the ball. It is looking good and will be something special to watch him all year long.