Chicago White Sox: Michael Kopech Strikes Out Five Cubs In Relief

Future Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech came in relief against the Chicago Cubs and struck out five batters.

Chicago White Sox flame throwing prospect Michael Kopech stepped into a role he wasn’t familiar with when he came out of the bullpen and pitched against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon in Arizona.

It may have only been a spring training game but Kopech looks like he is finally getting comfortable out on the mound. Kopech pitched two innings and would strike out five Cubbies.

He would strike out major leaguers Jason Heyward, Tommy La Stella and Jon Jay, followed by talented prospects Ian Happ and Jeimer Candelario. These are not the biggest names in the Cubs lineup, but they are still some talented players that Kopech held his own against.

Kopech is only projected to start the season in Single-A. If he continues to shine like he has recently, Kopech could get a quick call to Double-A.

White Sox fans have a lot to be excited about with Kopech on the mound. He consistently reached 100-103 MPH on the radar gun against the Cubs. Also, Sox fans were constantly chanting his name while he was out on the mound in a spring training game that means almost nothing to fans. Kopech is winning the hearts and the eyes of many Chicago White Sox fans, myself included.

The crowd in Glendale for the game was said to be over 12,000 in attendance which would by far be the biggest crowd Kopech has pitched in front of so far in his young career.

As White Sox fans, we shouldn’t look too far into this two-inning outing that he pitched. But nonetheless, it is still very exciting to see a 20-year-old go out there and look like he belongs with major league talent.

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Will this transpire to the big leagues? No one has the answer to that question yet. But if Kopech can stay healthy and pitch the way he knows how, he is in line for a dominating career.