Longtime White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin may have just sent the South Side into hysteria with one simple tweet. Why? Well, because it involves the hottest name in the organization, Michael Kopech and his eventual call-up.
Kopech on working with Steve McCatty at Charlotte with an eye toward the Majors: "We’ve done a really good job of making the progress we have in the past month. I think we are both excited about what’s coming up this month."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) May 4, 2018
The entire south side of Chicago currently:
Kopech is the latest in a long list of top prospects to await his call to the big leagues. Rumors have swirled on when the flame-throwing right-hander will make his debut for the Pale Hose. We have heard everything from an early May promotion to Hahn keeping Kopech in Charlotte through August.
He mentions:
“I think we are both excited about what’s coming up this month.”
Is he hinting at potentially making his Major League debut in the month of May? It is a definite possibility.
Kopech has looked very sharp to start the 2018 season. He’s posted a 2.67 ERA with an even more impressive 3.89 strikeout to walk ratio according to Baseball Reference.
He has also been developing his changeup.
Kopech on changeup: "Honestly I feel like my changeup is here. I’ve thrown it more and more. I’m comfortable with it. I had more swings and misses on it last start then I probably have in my entire career combined. So, I’m comfortable with my secondary stuff right now."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) May 4, 2018
A changeup alongside his quick biting slider and a 99+ MPH heater is a nightmare combination for big league hitters.
More Kopech: "I like to throw inside. I like to keep guys off the plate. I like to keep guys honest instead of diving out. So I have hit a few batters this year. That’s not something I’m going to change. ….
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) May 4, 2018
One thing a lot of young pitchers struggle with is the fear of throwing inside. Its the worry of leaving something out over the plate making it appetizing to hitters or running a pitch too far in and giving the opposition a free ticket to first base. His willingness to throw inside is encouraging.
It is important to keep in mind that in a rebuilding season Kopech will more than likely be placed on an innings limit when he does finally reach the big leagues. This will give him time to adjust to the big leagues to ensure that when he’s called up, he’s up for good.
Help is on the way Sox fans and it may be coming sooner than you might think.
