After serving his entire professional career in a bullpen role, Chicago White Sox ' left-hander Garrett Crochet could be prepared to start the season in the team's rotation.
Per Vinnie Dauber of ALLCHGO.com:
In pre-spring media session, Chris Getz says starting season w/ Garrett Crochet in big league rotation is under consideration if that's what's best for him. "I anticipate him being on our major league club, but I don't want to close the door on what's best for Garrett Crochet."
Crochet is a 24-year-old, hard-throwing lefty who made his major league debut in 2020. He's made 72 appearances lifetime, all out of the bullpen. He really burst onto the scene in 2021, throwing in 54 games and pitching to a 2.82 ERA. The White Sox got to the playoffs in each of those seasons.
Unfortunately, he missed all of 2022 with injury and then only pitched in 13 games in 2023.
As of right now, the White Sox have Dylan Cease, Chris Flexen, Jared Shuster, Mike Soroka, John Brebbia and Erike Fedde as rotation options, so there's definite competition for Crochet. If he's unable to win a spot right away, he could continue his transition to the rotation at the upper levels of the minor leagues. Furthermore, if the team ends up trading Cease, as they've been rumored to do, he could have an easier time earning a spot.
Chicago finished the 2023 season in fourth place in the American League Central. They are projected to have a similar finish this season and haven't made the playoffs since that 2021 season.
More must-reads: