White Sox’ Michael Kopech ‘fully invested and committed’ to 2021, GM Rick Hahn says

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said he fully expects Michael Kopech to be back in action when spring training begins in February.

Kopech, the fireballing right-hander who opted out of the 2020 season, has kept in contact with the organization during his absence.

“Zero mystery whatsoever,” Hahn said Monday. “We look forward to having Michael back with us at the start of spring training. He’s been in contact primarily with the minor-league pitching coaches and sharing the program he was working on, getting their input on it.

“He’s obviously fully invested and committed, and the view of him remains the same as when we announced he was opting out of the season: that we still see his future as very bright and that he has the potential to be a very impactful arm for us for a very long time.”

Pitching for the first time in March after he underwent Tommy John surgery, the 24-year-old touched 100 mph and threw a perfect Cactus League inning against the Rangers in Glendale, Arizona, heightening expectations for 2020 as part of the Sox’ rotation.

But Kopech will enter 2021 having appeared in only four major-league games and 14⅓ innings, allowing eight earned runs and four homers. He has not pitched in two seasons, so there is some mystery surrounding his potential impact.

The Sox were banking on him to be a part of the 2020 season and could have used him as they ran short on starting pitching in the playoffs.

“Overcoming the two years of not facing big-league hitters is something we’re going to have to work through together,” Hahn said. “And managing the workload and our own expectations. But in terms of his commitment to being part of this, no mystery whatsoever.”

Encouraging news on Crochet

Hahn said prized left-hander Garrett Crochet, who exited the Sox’ Game 3 wild-card loss to the Athletics with a tight forearm, has a flexor strain. He said Crochet’s ulnar collateral ligament is fine, and he’s expected to be at full strength for spring training.

Drafted in June as a starter, Crochet touched 102 mph and did not allow a run in five relief appearances in the regular season and one in the postseason.

“I still think he’s going to be a starter long term,” Hahn said. “You saw, in a limited sample, some real nice changeups. Obviously, the fastball velocity is apparent. You saw some quality sliders for swings and misses. A guy with a three-pitch mix, all potentially plus, a couple plus-plus, that’d be a real nice thing to have in your rotation.”

Hahn said what Crochet did in relief can’t be overlooked, though, and his path to starting could come on a reliever’s track, possibly building up starter length in the minor leagues and working his way back on the major-league staff in the bullpen.

Crochet has not pitched in the minor leagues.

Madrigal has surgery

Rookie second baseman Nick Madrigal had surgery on his left shoulder, as expected, and faces a five- or six-month recovery, which could put him behind for the start of spring training.

† Jimmy Lambert’s forearm injury was more severe than Crochet’s, Hahn said, but he is expected to start a throwing program soon and should also be ready for spring training.

† Andrew Vaughn is expected to contribute as a designated hitter and first baseman significantly in 2021, much like Madrigal and Luis Robert did this season at second base and center field, although Vaughn will not have the benefit of a 2020 minor-league season.