CHICAGO -- Here’s a look at this week’s inquiries as we open the White Sox Inbox.
Why do the White Sox see Garrett Crochet as a starter long term? He seems to be a great option as a future dominant closer.
-- @Soxsupporter1
There’s a possibility Crochet, the team’s top pick (No. 11 overall) in the 2020 MLB Draft, ends up as the White Sox dominant closer. There’s also a possibility he becomes one of those highly valuable swing relievers who can work two or three innings but also can lock down the ninth. But there’s no reason at this point to even think of limiting Crochet, who is 21 and just beginning his career development.
A bullpen role makes sense for Crochet in 2021 as an important element in pushing Chicago toward a World Series run, but he could become just as strong of a component as part of the future rotation. See Chris Sale as a past example of this particular career path.
Would the White Sox consider piggybacking Michael Kopech and Crochet to fill one rotation spot and as a way to limit both of their innings? Or is that too Tampa Bay Rays-ish for them?
-- @Snarky_Dave
Chicago has the interesting challenge of trying to win with Kopech and Crochet while also keeping a firm grasp on what they need to move forward as individuals. Kopech has not thrown a pitch in the Majors since 2018 and has just four career starts, and Crochet threw a total of 9 1/3 innings between the White Sox and the University of Tennessee last season without factoring in his work at the alternate training site in Schaumburg, Ill.
Both are dynamic forces, but both will have limits during the upcoming season. I’m not sure if they would officially pair them together, as Crochet certainly will be useful more often than simply every fifth day when Kopech reaches the Majors.
Will Yoelqui Cespedes be given a chance to start the season on the big club? Or is a stint in the Minors inevitable?
-- @soz58
Céspedes will start in the Minors, but there’s a chance he’ll be in a Cactus League game here and there. Chris Getz, the recently promoted White Sox assistant general manager/player development, told me this week Céspedes will be part of the team’s Minor League minicamp beginning Feb. 22 in Glendale, Ariz.
The Twins have not gotten worse. In fact, some would say they've improved. The White Sox have improved, but there are still holes (back end of rotation, DH, RF). How is this going to be handled?
-- @dailycupofjoe14
The Twins remain the team to beat in the American League Central until someone actually knocks them down: That’s the way I look at the layout. Both teams have made some solid additions, although it seemed unlikely Nelson Cruz was going to end up anywhere but the Twins. They needed him back. The White Sox have internal options for all the “holes” you mentioned and good internal options, at that.
If those options don’t work for 2021 for some reason, Chicago has room to maneuver at the Trade Deadline. The club's system is a little top-heavy currently in terms of elite, proven prospects, so some tough decisions could be needed at that point.
Is the team expecting fans?
-- @samthesoxfan
The team has a rather robust, passionate and upbeat fan base, but I’m guessing that’s not the question you are asking. Teams are hoping to have fans in the stands, to some extent, during the upcoming season. Those numbers and that date are more dependent on decisions made by the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Where does Jake Burger fit into the White Sox plans? He looked slimmed down and powerful in a recent video.
-- @scuttler22
There’s a great deal of interest in Burger from White Sox fans. It’s a testament to the work put in by the team’s top pick from the 2017 MLB Draft to get into the best shape and playing position of his life just a couple of weeks before pitchers and catchers are set to report, to borrow the ultimate Spring Training cliche. As Getz said, Burger is on a mission.
Game repetition will be the key factor for Burger, who has not played in a Minor League game since 2017. He certainly looks ready from those Instagram videos.
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Inbox: Where does Crochet best fit in? - MLB.com
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