Carlos Rodon was expected to be a breakout star for the White Sox this season. After finishing the 2016 strong, including a 7-2 record from August 12th on, many expected Rodon to take the next step in proving he could be an ace.
Those plans may still come to fruition in 2017, but they took a significant hit just 10 days prior to Opening Day. After feeling tightness in his bicep, Rodon is now expected to undergo an MRI. While no structural damage is expected, the White Sox pitcher is expected to miss his first few starts of the season and could be placed on the DL.
Suffering an injury this early into the year does not bode well for Rodon. However there’s a good chance he could bounce-back and become the breakout pitcher many expect him to be.
In the meantime, the White Sox are now forced into finding a pitcher to fill Rodon’s spot in the rotation. General Manager Rick Hahn has already said that he isn’t going to rush any prospects to the big leagues just to fill the hole. That means pitchers such as Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech will spend more time in the minors to hone their craft.
It’s also unlikely that the team goes out and signs a veteran this close to Opening Day. Rodon will be back within the first two months of the season, there’s no point in spending money on a pitcher who would be bumped to the bullpen upon Rodon’s return.
With those two things in mind, the White Sox will now be looking for a pitcher inside of their rotation to prove he deserves to stay on the major league roster.
In Dan Hayes recent article for CSN Chicago, he points out that Hahn listed three young pitchers in: Dylan Covey, David Holmberg or Tyler Danish as potential Rodon replacements.
Dylan Covey
Covey was acquired from the Athletics during the 2016 Rule 5 Draft. If he does not stay on the White Sox roster for the entire season, he will be returned to Oakland. In 72 minor league games and 369 innings, Covey has pitched to a 18-25 record with a 4.20 ERA and a 264/119 K/BB ratio.
Covey is currently the White Sox 27th best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The site writes that while Covey doesn’t do anything great, he offers the Sox an innings eater in the back half of their bullpen.
He has a fastball that can hit 95 and a nasty changeup to match. While he throws a curveball and slider, neither should be considered plus pitches. Overall Covey needs to improve his arsenal as a whole if he wants to be considered anything more than a long reliever.
Adding Covey to their rotation early would give the White Sox an opportunity to really see what they have in the Rule 5 pick. Covey has yet to pitch above AA. Throwing him right into the fire against MLB hitters early on in this season will allow him to prove if he can hang around in the big leagues.
While he may not be apart of their rotation of the future, if Covey succeeds there’s a chance he could stick around in the bullpen going forward.
If he struggles, he will likely be cut and sent back the Oakland. The Athletics didn’t bother adding Covey to their 40-man roster prior to the draft, meaning that if he is cut, there’s a good chance he spends the rest of his career in the minors.
Dylan Covey could be given the chance of a lifetime if inserted into the White Sox starting rotation. He has as much potential as anyone on this list, but arguably the most to lose as well.
David Holmberg
Holmberg was originally drafted by the White Sox in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft. After spending time in Cincinatti and Arizona, he signed a minor league deal with the White Sox in April of 2016.
While he has yet to appear in a game with the Sox, he has appeared in 14 major league games and 62 innings at the major league level. He holds a career 3-6 record with a 6.24 ERA and a 33/35 K/BB ratio.
He has fared a bit better in the minor leagues holding a 49-54 record with a 3.71 ERA and a 773/285 K/BB ratio over 176 games and 984.1 innings.
Holmberg was the Reds 8th best prospect in 2013 and 11th best in 2014 according to MLB Pipeline. In both years the site wrote that Holmberg has the potential to become a mid-back end of the rotation starter.
The pitcher has an impressive four pitch arsenal including a fastball, changeup, slider and curveball. His changeup and slider and considered his two best pitches while his fastball and curveball could use more work. He doesn’t throw the fastest but his command could help him land a spot in the rotation.
It’s hard to envision Holmberg in a rotation with pitchers such as Giolito, Lopez, Kopech and others down the line. However he has the most MLB experience out of the three and could have the upper hand in filling in for Rodon.
Holmberg has always had potential, but he has failed to succeed at the MLB. By putting him in the rotation to start the season, the White Sox will get to see if Holmberg could finally reach his ceiling.
While it’s far from a conclusion that Holmberg succeeds, the White Sox could be doing much worse than starting a former top prospect with a four pitch arsenal. Maybe 2017 is the year David Holmberg finds his groove.
Tyler Danish
Danish was drafted by the White Sox in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He appeared in three games for Chicago in 2016 holding a 10.80 ERA and a 0/3 K/BB ratio.
Danish has performed much better in the minors, holding a 21-25 record with a 3.57 ERA and a 289/124 K/BB ratio.
Danish was the White Sox 21st best prospect in 2016 according to MLB Pipeline. He pitches with a 3/4 delivery which gives scouts concern for whether he can remain in the rotation.
Danish has a solid changeup with sinking action, however the rest of his arsenal needs some work. His fastball tops out at 90 and his slider is inconsistent. His three pitch mix is better suited for the bullpen, but overall he needs to improve if he wishes to stay at the MLB level.
As long as Danish pitches with his 3/4 delivery, it’ll be tough to see him stick in the rotation long term. Although there’s a chance he is able to prove himself.
If Danish is given a shot to win a spot in the rotation coming, he can prove that he can be consistent even with his awkward arm slot. Filling in for Rodon, Danish could prove that he is a pitcher to watch in the White Sox organization.
Danish struggled during his original trip to the majors which may make the team reluctant to have him start the year in the majors. However the fact that Hahn mentioned Danish on this list proves how highly the team thinks of him.
Tyler Danish’s repertoire suits him better as a reliever, but perhaps Rodon’s injury allows him to prove he can start at the major league level.
Overall
The trio of Dylan Covey, David Holmberg and Tyler Danish does not strike fear in opponent’s eyes. All in all any of the three would be a glorified placeholder before Rodon returns.
However all three have something to prove. Whichever pitcher earns the role out of Spring Training will get a chance to prove they belong in the MLB.
Carlos Rodon is still a pitcher to watch in 2017. If the team trades Jose Quintana then he will become the de facto ace. But even with Quintana in the picture, Rodon has all the tools to prove he is ready for the MLB.
Hopefully Rodon will right his injury woes as the season goes on. For now it appears as if one of Dylan Covey, David Holmberg or Tyler Danish will make atleast one start in the 2017 season.
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