There’s little doubt that former White Sox righty Michael Kopech didn’t pan out in the way the team hoped. Despite electric stuff and flashes of greatness, Kopech could never fully put it together and become the true frontline starter the White Sox hoped he’d be when they acquired him. Kopech first joined the White Sox organization during the December 2016 trade that sent Chris Sale to Boston and also brought Yoan Moncada to Chicago. Kopech was originally drafted 33rd overall by Boston in 2014, and the talent was always obvious. After a few rocky seasons, he’s now healthy and prepared to try for a big league comeback in 2027.
Former White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech will throw for teams this Saturday. @Ken_Rosenthal first report. Kopech last pitched in September of 2025. Knee recovery have been his rehab focus.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) November 11, 2026
Two years after the trade, Kopech made his major league debut for the White Sox in late 2018. He surrendered eight earned runs over 14.1 innings (5.02 ERA) and struck out 15 hitters with just two walks in his first four starts, but unfortunately suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. After missing the entire 2019 season due to the surgery and opting out of 2020 due to COVID, Kopech returned to the White Sox in 2021, where he posted a 3.50 ERA in 69.1 innings as a reliever. The team moved him to the starting rotation in 2022 and he posted a 3.54 ERA over 25 starts.
Michael Kopech could never take the step forward the White Sox needed
It seemed like Kopech was on track for a big step forward in 2023, but he struggled to a 5.43 ERA over 129.1 innings, and Chicago elected to move him back to the bullpen for the 2024 season. In 43 relief outings, Kopech held a 4.74 ERA and generally struggled with his command, and the White Sox included him in the major deadline trade that sent Erick Fedde to the Cardinals and Miguel Vargas to the White Sox. Kopech went to the Dodgers in the deal, where he posted a 1.13 ERA in 24 appearances and took home a World Series title. He figured to be a big part of the bullpen in Los Angeles in 2025 but was limited to just 11 games due to shoulder and knee injuries.
Kopech hit free agency last offseason but ultimately did not sign and did not pitch in 2026. He’ll now get another chance to show that he’s healthy and ready to return. At this point, it’s unlikely that a team will give him a chance to start again, but he’s always had the stuff to be a quality late-inning reliever, and should get another opportunity. Kopech turned 30 in April, so a team looking for an inexpensive arm with quite a bit of upside could jump on the opportunity. As is often the case in these situations, Kopech may find himself with a choice between a bigger opportunity on a rebuilding team or a smaller opportunity on a contending team. He already has a World Series title, so he may be more inclined to accept the biggest opportunity offered to him regardless of team.
For the White Sox, Michael Kopech is yet another symbol of the rebuild that didn’t work and the perennial contender that could’ve been. He was always incredibly frustrating to watch due to his immense talent, but could never put it all together in the White Sox rotation. Hopefully, he can find an opportunity and get back to dominating, which every White Sox fan knows he’s capable of doing at times.
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