This is going to be either a big year or possibly a bust for Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech. How he does this year could dictate his future with the Sox. The White Sox pitching staff has a lot of questions surrounding it. Can Dylan Cease bounce back following an off-year? How are all the new guys going to work out? And what about Kopech? In the case of the latter, Michael Kopech may turn out to be the secret ace of the White Sox,
Michael Kopech: The Secret Ace of the White Sox
The much-maligned Kopech had a down season in 2023. He was a little bit beaten up and had lost his edge. But so far this spring, he’s been solid and appears to be building up to a potential big season, although it is still a little bit too early to tell.
In two starts this spring training, totaling 4 2/3 innings pitched, Kopech has an ERA of 3.86. He has allowed two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and eight strikeouts. It’s not a bad start for the righty this spring, but it remains too early to extrapolate any results to this upcoming season.
The White Sox will obviously count on Dylan Cease a lot this season, but where does Kopech fit? He can still fit in as a starting pitcher, but there is talk of him possibly fitting in as a bullpen arm. This is where he ended up last year. Some think he might be a good middle-reliever. This writer feels that he still has what it takes to be a starting pitcher, and will end up as the team’s second-best starter this season, possibly giving Cease a run for the title of ace.
Health is a huge factor when it comes to Kopech. He has lost some time due to a variety of injuries, including, most recently, knee issues. He looks like he’s doing well enough in spring training and looks healthy. Hopefully, he is ready to take over as a steady starting pitcher this season.
Can Kopech Emerge as a Solid Starter in 2024?
Predictions as to what’s going to happen to Kopech are all over the board. Some people, including this writer, believe that Kopech will start and finish the season as a starter. Others feel that he’s going to be stuck in the bullpen. The best bet is that Kopech will stay healthy and have a respectful season. He’s probably not Cy Young material yet, but a solid season where he becomes the White Sox’s second-best starting pitcher seems like a good possibility.
It’s no secret that Chicago is on track to have a down year. But certain players should have strong seasons, and Kopech is one of those players. But be warned, if Kopech does not have a strong season with the White Sox, he could be gone in 2025. The White Sox are starting (again) to build a contender and they will want to either maintain or let go certain assets with the goal of building a winning team. Soon, there won’t be any room for weak links. If Kopech ends up being one of those weak links, the team could part ways with him and start fresh.
Kopech is worth rooting for, and has a real chance to have an outstanding season and show his doubters they are wrong. If all goes well, he’s going to become the White Sox second second-best pitcher and prove that he belongs with the team. If he can keep his injury issues at bay, he will succeed in this effort.
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