Garrett Crochet 'the right choice' to start Opening Day, White Sox' third choice says

GLENDALE, Ariz. — When Dylan Cease was traded to the Padres, the White Sox lost an ace. And an Opening Day starter.

On Monday, manager Pedro Grifol announced the surprise choice of Garrett Crochet to fill the bill. The runners-up in a race void of an obvious decision, Erick Fedde and Michael Soroka, endorsed the selection Wednesday.

“I’m thrilled for him,” Fedde said. “I think it’s the right choice.”

“A lot of people outside looking in might think it’s a strange move, given that he’s been a reliever his whole career,” Soroka said, “but for us watching inside, it’s very earned. He’s going to set the tone.”

Fedde, the highest-paid pitcher in a completely overhauled rotation who returns to the majors after a superb season in South Korea, was next in line behind Cease in the mapped-out starters plan going into camp. Soroka, who started Opening Day for the Braves in the shortened 2020 season, was lined up third but made a case with a strong spring and will get the second game as he comes back from two Achilles injuries.

Crochet, who is slated for four innings against the Royals on Thursday, hasn’t pitched more than three innings in a major-league game. He has not started since college. But Crochet hasn’t allowed a walk while striking out 12 batters in nine scoreless Cactus League innings. He has touched 100 mph and is landing all of his pitches, slider included, in the strike zone.

Fedde wanted the opener but agreed it was the right call.

“Coming into camp, it was Cease with no ifs, ands or buts,” Fedde said. “I knew it was up for grabs [after the trade], but it’s easy to say, now without Cease, that Crochet has the best stuff on the team. It’s evident, and the fact he got Opening Day is proof of that. I’m happy for him; he works his butt off; he’s a good friend.’’

Fedde pitched in a minor-league game Monday, allowing no hits in five-plus innings while throwing about 70 pitches, he said.

“I was happy with a ton of soft contact,” he said. “Was about as good as it can go.”

He’s “very ready” to start the season.

“I think everyone is ready to get out of here at this point,” he said.

Fedde made 27 starts for the Nationals in 2021 and ’22 with ERAs of 5.47 and 5.81, then took off for South Korea, where he found his command, got an extraordinary amount of ground-ball outs and was named the KBO League’s most valuable player with a 20-6 record and 2.00 ERA in 30 starts and 180„ innings.

The Sox signed Fedde to a two-year, $15 million deal in the offseason.

“The first couple [of Cactus League starts] felt like I was over-excited, maybe doing a little too much,” Fedde said, “but I’m starting to find my legs and ease in as much mentally as physically. I’ve grown more in that sense than anything.”

He’ll start against the Tigers on Easter Sunday, March 31.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “I know that first start is going to have some butterflies. When you leave to go overseas, the goal is to come back and realize it. And now it’s a week away. It’s a great feeling. And I’m fired up for it.”

He’s “excited” to see Crochet, as well.

“Opening Day is a special thing; you’re one of 30, and it’s something that’s rare, and it’s an accolade,” Fedde said. “But he totally deserves it.

‘‘People talk about how he hasn’t thrown four innings in so long, but I worked with him a lot in the offseason. I watched him grind. His mental thought from Day 1 in the offseason was, ‘I’m going to be a starter.’ He’s so ready. I think he’s going to dominate.”