Lance Lynn spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon. When he talks, people always listen because he always seems to have something interesting to say. Of course, this was no different. He said a few different things of note but his comments on Michael Kopech are certainly notable. We know how important both of these players are to the Chicago White Sox right now.
Lynn mentioned Kopech and what he believes his potential can be:
"“I think he’s got everyting that he needs to be one of the most elite starting pitchers in baseball”"
That is a powerful statement coming from Lynn, who is also one of the most elite starting pitchers in all of baseball. Lance Lynn’s resume speaks for itself but his most recent 3rd place Cy Young season tells you how good he actually is. The fact that he thinks this about Kopech is good news.
Of course, it isn’t that hot of a take but it is good to hear Lynn say it publically. It is probably good for Kopech to hear someone like that give him an endorsement in that context. He is looking to take the next step in the MLB which very well could lead to him being looked at as one of the best pitchers in the American League.
Michael will be a topic of conversation all winter long. Lynn won’t be the last Sox player to be asked about him when speaking publically. They have already confirmed that he is going to be making the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
It is easy to have faith in someone like Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox.
Lynn’s faith in Kopech is not unwarranted. He is one of the most talented young pitchers that the White Sox have ever had. After taking 2020 off and missing all of 2019 because of Tommy John surgery, he came back in 2021 and showed some of the stuff that we know he is capable of showing.
He went through some ups and downs with tipping pitches in 2021 but the pure stuff was magnificent. He has a two-seam fastball that moves really well and devastating breaking off-speed stuff. Combined, the pitches make Kopech virtually unhittable.
That is why he had 103 strikeouts in 69.1 innings pitched. He also had a 3.50 ERA and 1.125 WHIP. It was a great year for him as he was eased back into MLB action. Now, with heavy expectations on him, he will take another big step in 2022. Hopefully, everything that Lynn said about him comes true.