The White Sox have traded hard-throwing right-hander Michael Kopech to the Dodgers, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Tribune also reports that Kopech is part of the three-team deal that sent Erick Fedde to the Cardinals.
According to ESPN, the full trade includes seven players. As part of the deal, the Dodgers acquired Koepch from the White Sox and utilityman Tommy Edman from the Cardinals. The Cardinals will receive Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham from the White Sox. The White Sox will receive three infield prospects from the Dodgers including Miguel Vargas, Alexander Albertus, and Jeral Perez.
Albertus is the 23rd-ranked prospect in the Dodgers farm system according to MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old infielder was promoted to Single-A this season after hitting .298 with 42 home runs for the ACL Dodgers in the Rookie League. He hasn’t faired as well in A-ball slashing .229/.317/.329 in his first 70 at-bats. What Albertus will add to the White Sox farm system is some much-needed plate discipline. He has shown a knack for getting on base in his young career, drawing 107 walks in his first three seasons as a pro. In his first 85 games, he drew 70 walks and struck out just 40 times.
Perez is the Dodgers 17th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old has shown some solid power, hitting 11 home runs last season, and 10 so far this season in low-A ball. The Dodgers initially signed him for $397,500 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, as part of their international class. He was promoted to Single-A as an 18-year-old after slugging .503 with a .892 OPS in 53 games of Rookie Ball last season. During that stretch, he drove in 41 RBIs. Scouts believe he could turn into a 20-plus home run player down the road given his fast hands and raw power.
Kopech owns a 4.47 with nine saves in 43.2 innings out of the White Sox bullpen this season. There is a lot to like about Kopech’s skill set. His 30.9% strikeout rate ranks among the best in baseball. That is thanks in part to his 99 mph fastball that ranks in the MLB’s 99th percentile, while his opponent’s .204 expected batting average against him ranks in the MLB’s 89th percentile. Koepch also made headlines by throwing an immaculate inning against the Twins on July 10th. However his nearly 13% walk rate and 12% barrel percentage rank amongst the worst in baseball.
Kopech was once considered a top prospect in baseball when he was traded from the Red Sox as part of a package deal for Chris Sale. Unfortunately for the White Sox, the hard-throwing right-hander never materialized into the ace the front office envisioned. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 which forced him to miss the entire 2019 season. He then opted out of the 2020 season for personal reasons before making his return to the mound in 2021.
He spent the bulk of his time in the White Sox bullpen in 2021, producing solid results. In 44 appearances he posted a 3.50 ERA and 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings. However, his 1.93 ERA during his four starts that year gave the White Sox hope that he could eventually turn into a starter long-term. Unfortunately, Kopech was never able to find consistency as a full-time starter. His best season in the White Sox rotation came in 2022, when posted a 3.54 ERA in 119.1 innings of work. But the following season he struggled to the tune of a 5.43 ERA in 129.1 innings and led the American League with 91 walks.
The Dodgers are hoping he can help give their bullpen a boost for the rest of this season. It is unlikely he will serve in a ninth-inning role like he did with the South Siders given his shaky track record.
