Chicago White Sox: 3 moves to fix pitching staff

Move Lucas Giolito to the Bullpen

I know, I know. Lucas Giolito had a fantastic start on Tuesday. He went 7.1 scoreless innings while also striking out eight hitters in the process. The command of his changeup was elite, but I am not ready to think he magically found his way. Giolito has shown flashes before and honestly, I just do not see how you can trust him game in and game out.

If we look at his career, Giolito has an ERA of 5.31 over 49 starts. In 2019, Tuesday was his first game reaching the seventh inning. I understand the argument that he could be a solid fifth starter of the rotation if the White Sox had a solid one through four or even a solid one through three. At this time, they have nothing that even resembles an ace let alone a second or third starter.

If we look at Giolito’s splits this season, he has been superb for the first two innings and then things just blow up. I think Giolito could become a top type reliever if groomed into one. The White Sox need bullpen help bad too. Instead of looking to add more pieces this offseason or through trades, why not start putting the process in place for a current pitcher on the roster?

Giolito is an average strikeout pitcher with a 6.91 K/9 average. This year he currently has an 11.03 K/9 average. This is a red flag for me. I know he is young and maybe he’s coming into his own, but I do not see him ever being over 8.00 K/9 type pitcher. That said, and I know there is a 10 year age difference, I’d like to see Giolito take on a role as Ian Kennedy has for the Royals.

If Michael Kopech, Dane Dunning and Dylan Cease can become the one through three pitchers for 2020 and beyond, then I think Giolito in the bullpen is a better solution than as a fourth or fifth starter in regards to longterm success for this rebuild. This move will not help in 2019, but it will again help in 2020 and grooming him now would be beneficial.