Chicago White Sox: Three predictions for second half of season

Dylan Covey remains in rotation until end of season

Dylan Covey had a rough 2017 season going 0-7 with a 7.71 ERA and giving up 20 home runs in just 70 innings. Not exactly a smooth start to his major league career.

The former fourth-round selection (2013) of the Oakland Athletics was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox in December 2016 as part of the Rule 5 draft. He made the opening day roster in 2017 and started 12 games, but never seemed comfortable on the mound.

But something has clicked so far this season.

Covey began this season with AAA Charlotte and was impressive going 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA in seven starts. He was then recalled in mid-May to replace the struggling Carson Fulmer and has gone 3-1 with a 2.29 ERA in five starts.

With his resurgence this season he has many wondering if he could become a key piece to the rebuild. If so, it would certainly qualify as unexpected.

If Covey can continue to be a productive piece of the rotation, it bodes well for the White Sox in the second half of the season. The current rotation that includes Covey along with Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, James Shields and Lucas Giolito has been steady recently.

It’s not likely that Covey continues his recent dominance, but he has found something that he didn’t have last season. His two-seam fastball has had nasty movement and his sinker has resulted in the highest ground ball percentage (61%) in the league.

Covey looks like he has the stuff to remain in the rotation the rest of this season and possibly beyond.