Carlos Rodon gives an amazing quote on Michael Kopech

It did not take long for Carlos Rodon’s Chicago White Sox reunion. On Thursday afternoon, Rodón took the hill against his former team just ten days after signing with the San Fransico Giants.

It was an odd look to see a long-time White Sox wearing the wrong black jersey. Rodón spent the first seven years of his career on the south side. His tenure was full of peaks and valleys.

The former first-round pick was plagued with injuries for the majority of his stint with the White Sox but he left on a high note pitching his way into the All-Star game in 2021.

The White Sox opted not to extend a qualifying offer and Rodón took his talents to the Bay. Micheal Kopech has been tasked with replacing Rodón in the starting rotation. Kopech is immensely talented but has his own checkered past as far as injuries are concerned.

When Carlos Rodón was asked about his former teammate taking his spot in the White Sox rotation, he gave Kopech a ringing endorsement.

“You guys are in good hands. Kopech is going to be very, very good for a very long time.”

It is good to know that Carlos Rodon believes in Michael Kopech going forward.

Carlos Rodon is a class act so kind words regarding his former teammate come as no surprise. However, this quote should leave White Sox fans excited about the future.

As someone who has established himself as an All-Star caliber starter, Rodon knows how hard it is to be successful at the major league level.

He also knows what it feels like to have an immense amount of pressure when entering the league. Kopech was once one of the top pitching prospects in the MLB and Rodon was selected third overall.

The similarities between the two are striking. Both also had to undergo Tommy John’s surgery. Both had lofty expectations placed upon them.

The main difference is Kopech’s future is much brighter. Kopech is only 25 years old. He has yet to enter his prime. He has also yet to pitch 100 innings in the big leagues.

However, in his brief two years in the MLB, he has shown flashes of brilliance. The 2021 season was Kopech’s first full season as a major leaguer.

He had a respectable 3.50 ERA in 44 appearances. It became apparent late in the season fatigue was catching up to him or his numbers may have been even more impressive. Yet he still managed to strike out 103 batters.

The sky is the limit for Kopech. Now that he has gotten his feet wet as a big leaguer it is time for him to take the next step. While fans have every right to be discouraged over the lack of offseason moves, they should take comfort in the fact they are in good hands at the back end of the rotation. Carlos Rodon would agree.