Mike Clevinger made his final start of the 2023 season on Saturday and probably his final start in a White Sox uniform. It did not go well.
Clevinger got tagged for six runs off seven hits and was chased out of the game after just 1.2 innings. It was his shortest start of the season.
“The stuff wasn’t there. A lot of things on my mind” Clevinger said after the game. “The main thing on my mind was avoiding 100 losses. You know it really sucks it came on my night.”
Despite the early exit, Clevinger will finish the season with a respectable 3.77 ERA. Now the front office has a decision to make.
Clevinger has a mutual option worth $14 million. If the White Sox opt to attempt to contend next season Clevinger seems like someone they would want back in the rotation. Especially considering one of their two starters who are currently slotted to be in the 2024 rotation had to finish the season in the bullpen.
Even though he was signed to be a fifth starter Clevinger was easily the White Sox most consistent pitcher this season. His nine quality starts lead the team.
He also has a Pitching Run-Value that ranks in the MLB’s 93rd percentile according to Baseball Savant. His Fastball and Offspeed Run-Value also place in baseball’s top 82nd and 84th percentile. Improved command was the key to his success. He entered Saturday’s start with a streak of 139 batters faced without issuing a walk. According to Christopher Kamka it was the longest by a White Sox pitcher since LaMarr Hoyt put together a streak of 167 in 1983. Clevinger’s streak got snapped by Juan Soto in the first inning.
But because of the success he has had this season, Clevinger is likely eager to hit the open market. After a down year in 2022, he has proven his post-Tommy John surgery struggles are behind him.
Playing for a 100-loss team that had a myriad of issues doesn’t help the White Sox cause either.
Of course, many White Sox fans won’t be sad to see him go after he was investigated for some pretty horrific allegations about domestic and child abuse. Ultimately an MLB investigation did not find enough evidence to suspend him but it was enough to grab headlines just as the team was entering Spring Training. On Clevinger’s first day of camp, he apologized to the team for creating a distraction.
As it turned out the Spring Training distraction was an omen of how the rest of the season was going to unfold.
