The White Sox have not given fans much to be excited about this season, but their latest move should get many fans excited. After absolutely dominating at AA this season, according to Chuck Garfien, the White Sox are calling up their number #3 prospect and the headliner in the Dylan Cease trade, Drew Thorpe.
This is huge news, as White Sox fans finally get to see the best pitcher in the minor leagues get his first shot in the majors. He is expected to make his start against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. The Mariners are 36-30 and have a few very good bats, so this won’t be a cake walk for Thorpe.
But, despite the matchup, Thorpe is pitching so well that it doesn’t matter who his opponent is, as he will likely continue to pound the zone and make the hitters beat him.
This season in AA over 11 starts, he is 7-1 with a minuscule 1.35 ERA. He also has an insane .87 WHIP, which is one of the best in the minor leagues. While he doesn’t have the best strikeout numbers, he still struck out 56 in 60 innings, which is still very good.
While Thorpe may not have the most overwhelming stuff, he has good command of all of his pitches and induces a lot of very weak contact. He has walked just 17 batters this year, which is very good considering he has struck out almost 60.
Thorpe did everything he could in AA and there was nothing left for him to prove. He now will get a chance to make one of the more anticipated White Sox debuts in recent history. The only one that will likely top his debut this year will be Colson Montgomery if he comes up at some point.
Unlike Nick Nastrini, the White Sox need to make sure that Thorpe gets a fair shot. They should not be calling him up to give him a few starts and send him back. Let him make the adjustments he needs to make in the major leagues. He is one of their most promising pitching prospects, so they need to take his development seriously.
Thorpe has the stuff to be successful immediately and with the way he is throwing this year, it is likely that success translates to the major leagues. While he likely won’t be pitching to a sub 1 WHIP and a sub 1.5 ERA in the majors, he could be no slouch right away.
Thorpe will look to cement himself the rotation of the future for the White Sox which could include Garrett Crochet and Noah Schultz, giving the White Sox a three headed monster.
A 3 headed monster is fine for the playoffs, but it takes a 5 headed monster to get there!