(670 The Score) White Sox manager Rick Renteria isn't ready yet to name a starting pitcher for Opening Day, but right-hander Lucas Giolito hopes to earn that honor as the team's ace.
"I absolutely want that," Giolito said Wednesday. "The way I look at it, being the ace of the staff, you're setting an example -- not just with what you're doing on the field but also taking a more vocal role, which I feel like I'm trying to continue to get the feel for that.
"That's pretty much what I want. I want to be that leader of the pitching staff, taking the ball on the first game, kind of setting the tone."
Giolito was the unquestioned ace of the White Sox's pitching staff in 2019. As the White Sox hoped, there are more options to step up in 2020.
The White Sox signed veterans Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez this past offseason, adding two accomplished arms to the rotation. Michael Kopech and Carlos Rodon are each healthy after their respective Tommy John surgery recoveries and are vying for their places in the mix (though Kopech isn't at camp yet). And then there are two youngsters in Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Cease hoping to rebound from challenging 2019 campaigns.
Still, it's the 25-year-old Giolito who's the favorite to take the mound when the White Sox host the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 24 in their opener. If he does, it would be symbolic of Giolito's remarkable turnaround after a 2018 season in which he posted a 6.13 ERA, the worst mark of any qualifying pitcher in MLB.
Giolito went 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 29 starts in 2019, posting striking out an impressive 11.6 batters per nine innings and improving his command with 2.9 walks per nine innings. Those were big improvements over his 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.7 walks per nine innings in 2018.
"He is the guy that you saw last year, and he's got the chance to do exactly the same thing as he did last year," Renteria said. "There's no doubt in my mind. His approach, his demeanor, his delivery, the action of his pitches.
"He's got a chance to continue to be really, really, really, really, really good."
The White Sox have decisions to make with their rotation in the unique 60-game season. Giolito, Keuchel and Gonzalez appear to be set in the rotation, pending good health, while Cease, Kopech and Rodon must battle for starting spots.
Whether Giolito earns the title of ace, he's happy the White Sox boast a deeper rotation this season.
"I want to maintain that thought that I'm not the only ace on the team," Giolito said. "I got four more right behind me."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
