White Sox Rotation Key To 2021 Season

White Sox Rotation: Returning Starters

Based on the current roster, the White Sox rotation will feature three of the starters from 2020. Those three would be Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, and Dylan Cease. While Giolito and Keuchel were solid, Cease was inconsistent. He has the tools to be a solid MLB starter, but has yet to put it all together,

Another 2020 starter still on the roster is Reynaldo Lopez. He was a highly-touted prospect who came to the White in the Adam Eaton trade. While he has had his moments, Lopez, like Cease, has been consistently inconsistent. He lost his spot in the rotation during the 2020 season and is likely headed for bullpen duty.

The final potential returning starter from 2020 did not actually start a single game. Garrett Crochet, the 11th pick in the 2020 draft, did appear in relief late in the season. He was drafted to be a starter, as he possesses an excellent fastball. It remains to be seen how and where the Sox plan to use him in 2021.

White Sox Rotation: New Additions

The White Sox realized that they needed an upgrade to their rotation if they are to build on the success they had in 2020. While they are likely not in on the Trevor Bauer bidding, they added workhorse Lance Lynn from the Rangers in exchange for prospect Dane Dunning.

Lynn has been a workhorse most of his career. and led all MLB pitchers in innings pitched over the last two seasons. The veteran right-hander has a career ERA of 3.57, including an ERA of 3.32 in 2020. He should be a solid addition to the White Sox rotation in 2021.

White Sox Rotation: X-Factors

Since the White Sox struggled to find consistency after Giolito and Keuchel in 2020, they need to continue to focus on strengthening the rotation in 2021 and beyond. To that end, we need to examine to see what X-factors, if any, may be in play here. So, here are some points worth considering.

The White Sox still have a top prospect with high-end potential in Michael Kopech. He was involved in the Chris Sale trade four years ago and has been a disappointment thus far. Tommy John surgery has held him back, but he appears healthy and ready to go when spring training begins.

Another X-factor that may be in play here is the aforementioned Garrett Crochet. Generally, teams don"t take a pitcher with the 11th pick to make him a closer. Yet, Crochet"s career at Tennessee was not the success one might expect from a high draft pick. He was drafted due to his potential, so it will be up to the White Sox to develop him into a consistent MLB pitcher.

White Sox fans are still hoping that the team acquires another veteran starter, whether through trade or free agency. The White Sox rotation could certainly use such a boost. However, Trevor Bauer seems out of their reach, and GM Rick Hahn may be hesitant to trade away any more top prospects.

The final X-factor is the new Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz. He replaces longtime coach Don Cooper and will bring a fresh approach to the Sox pitchers. He will be key in developing them, and also likely will have a say in who the starters will be in 2021. Katz will be a big factor for the Chicago rotation.

White Sox Rotation: Putting the Pieces Together

So, what does all this mean? What will the White Sox rotation look like in 2021? Three things appear certain: Giolito, Keuchel, and Lynn will be in the rotation, in some order. It is also likely that Cease will have the opportunity to show new manager Tony LaRussa that he is an MLB quality starter.

Beyond that, Katz and LaRussa will have the tough job of filling the fifth spot in the White Sox rotation. Will it be Michael Kopech finally showing Sox fans why they traded for him? Will it be Garrett Crochet who goes to training camp and just dominates hitters? Or, is there a deal in the works?

Whatever Katz can do with his rotation, the White Sox fortunes will rise or fall with the starters. The lineup is solid, the bullpen looks sharp (assuming they find a closer), and fans expect big things from the Sox in 2021. If the White Sox rotation comes through, fans should start preparing for a parade on the South Side.

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