A hot topic in Chicago White Sox land is the decision on Michael Kopech. He has started the season in the bullpen but some recent events have caused him to make two straight spot starts. He was brilliant in both of them. In fact, he was more than brilliant. He was the best pitcher that the White Sox have used including the ace Lucas Giolito and Carlos Rodon who has a no-hitter.
Michael Kopech is one of the most talented players the Chicago White Sox have ever had.
What should the White Sox do with Kopech once Lance Lynn makes his next start. There are three options. The first is to put him right back in the bullpen where he started. He is a superweapon coming out of the pen right now but it obviously means he will pitch fewer innings in any particular game.
The second option is to make it a six-man rotation with Kopech joining Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon, Dallas Keuchel, and Dylan Cease. The third option is to keep Kopech to the rotation and remove Cease. Doing that would allow Cease to gain more command and develop coming out of the bullpen. It might be good for everyone involved.
With all of that in mind, the best option is to just put Kopech back in the bullpen. It is the least fun because he is so good but this isn’t a decision based on production. It should be a medical decision based on everything his arm has been through. It would be better to have him available to start in the playoffs than to see what he can do in games during May and June.
You should also have plenty of faith in Cease because his stuff is nasty. Once he can control it with regularity, he has ace potential. There is a reason he records lots of strikeouts and that is because he is very hard to hit when his stuff is right. Allowing him to stay in the rotation will work out well. It is also the best way to limit Kopech’s innings for the season.
By 2022, Kopech will be in the rotation full time. Right now, he could be the difference in a division title because he is that good. Some people see him as a guy who makes the White Sox a true World Series contender which is very cool.