(670 The Score) As White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech prepares to make his third start of the season Friday evening when Chicago hosts Kansas City in the nightcap of a doubleheader, his role and workload in 2021 remain intriguing and important topics.
Kopech, 25, has been sensational in a hybrid role in which he has primarily worked out of the bullpen while also making spot starts. The White Sox have utilized him in this manner after he missed 2019 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and then opted out of playing in 2020 during the pandemic.
Keeping Kopech's arm in pristine condition is the White Sox's goal and responsibility, and they've come to realize it's part science, part gut feel in deciding what's best for him.
"From the start, we've made sure that Michael understood that communication was an important key to this season," general manager Rick Hahn said. "We have done that with him, and he has responded well.
"We're all obviously able to evaluate with our eyes how he looks outing to outing. Both from stuff and mechanical standpoint, our analytics people can put together a recommended usage pattern based upon past performances and our goals for the season for him."
The White Sox haven't revealed what those individual benchmarks and workload limits are for Kopech. Of course, their ultimate goal is to win a World Series, and he's a central figure in that aspiration. So depending on the circumstances, he could be moved into the starting rotation later in the season if needed.
For now, the White Sox will continue to use him out of the bullpen for the most part.
Entering play Friday, Kopech has a 1.61 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 22 1/3 innings across nine appearances, including two starts. He has struck out 35 batters and walked just eight.
"You recognize the talent that he is," La Russa said. "You have the long view of him as a starter and a now view of his flexibility of starting today or come out of the pen as a real weapon for us.
"We talk a lot about it. You don't have a crystal ball. You think that at some point he will be an outstanding starting pitcher. Is that is in 2021 for sure? I don't know."
Kopech has been content with his hybrid role this season. And most importantly, his arm has been feeling great.
"How Michael is feeling and responding to the workload may be the most important consideration of all," Hahn said. "He has bought into the program and understands what we are trying to accomplish and why he is being used in a certain way. The dialogue between him and the coaching staff has been great."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
