Dylan Cease was the only White Sox pitcher to do this in 2021
The Chicago White Sox are loaded with great pitchers. However, most pitchers in the league miss at least one start from time to time for whatever reason. Dylan Cease was not one of those pitchers. He was the only White Sox pitcher to make all 32 of his starts in 2021. Lucas Giolito came close with 31 but Cease is the only one not to miss anything.
Carlos Rodon and Lance Lynn were statistically the two best pitchers on the team and Giolito wasn’t far behind but Cease took a big step. If Rodon is gone next year, Cease should be relied upon to be the number three guy in a very good staff.
Making all of your starts is very impressive in Major League Baseball. There are always little nagging injuries that keep guys out but not for Cease. In his first full season, he took some time to really take the next step but he was looking better and better with each start that he made.
In 2019, he made his debut in the middle of the season, and then we all know about 2020 by now. It wasn’t a traditional first two years in the league but Cease made it work. There were some rough patches but it was clear that big things were coming.
Dylan Cease is a very important part of the Chicago White Sox future.
The White Sox acquired Cease in 2017 from the Chicago Cubs along with Eloy Jimenez in exchange for Jose Quintana. When that trade was made, Cease was hyped up as this pitching prospect that can throw gas and mix in good breaking stuff that confuses hitters.
Speaking of confusing hitters, he had 226 strikeouts in his 32 starts which led the White Sox and was amongst the best in the American League. It took a few starts for him to take the next step but there was a stretch where he was the best pitcher on the staff.
Hopefully, he is able to bring that level into 2022 and maybe even get better than that. This is a talent that could go on to do great things in the game of baseball. The White Sox are lucky to have him as he could become a superstar.