The Chicago White Sox' starters, their first run through the rotation, gave up 2 earned runs. Cumulatively. Sean Burke, Davis Martin, Jonathan Cannon and Martin Perez all went scoreless, allowing no runs. Perez even went the extra mile and struck out 9, a major performance for the guy the Sox essentially took a flyer on. It wasn't until rookie Shane Smith let a comparatively-mammoth TWO runs score that any starter showed any humanity. The record books are lumping in this White Sox starting staff with few others to accomplish the same feat. And to do so right after setting all of the worst kinds of records in 2024...is insane. We knew there'd be time needed to rebuild, but this is...immediate. Only Cannon was in the majors a year ago, and he made the roster as a rookie flyer. Martin, Burke and Smith were called up in the late months of 2024, and/or this month [in Smith's case]. Smith was a rule 5 pick snatched away from Milwaukee as well. All of this was either farmed, signed or traded for. And it's worked.
Now...I have to point out...they're allowing runs NOW. Like, Burke got lit up a little, today Cannon let some runs go by. They're not gonna be machines forever. But they are capable of great starts, and they can go 6 or so without showing much wear. That is very promising, especially after the great Garrett Crochet arm conservation project of August 2024. I'm not sure which ones, if any, show ace potential, and remember that we still have the possibility of both Ky Bush and Drew Thorpe to keep in mind, as well as the eventual arrival of Hagen Smith.
I think Davis Martin, of any of these guys, could be in it for the long haul. Not too flashy, doesn't overexert himself, just dominant. They need a guy like that. Burke is a little flashier, but I also like what I've seen from him so far. He shut down a lineup with Jorge Soler and Mike Trout in it, not everybody can do that, let alone starting Opening Day for your fourth career start. I think this still being a rebuilding squad means Martin, Burke, and the whole gang aren't going 20-0 or anything. But they're better than a lot of the pitchers the Sox had to start last season. None of this Chris Flexen nonsense again. Even Perez, a Flexen-level pick, has a lot left in the tank.
It does help that the White Sox lineup has a bit more to it this year. Andrew Benintendi has remembered how to hit, he's hitting .320 with 6 RBIs and 2 homers. Brooks Baldwin looks like the closest thing to a young star this team has. Matt Thaiss is clearly covering catcher until Kyle Teel gets here [which looks...soon] but he's no slouch, with some decent offensive production so far. Again, Luis Robert isn't hitting for average but the power numbers are great, and once again he's auditioning for a market where games can actually be won. This isn't...terrific so far, especially after this Tigers series, but there's more going on than last year, it seems.
The 2025 White Sox just needed to be better than the previous year's version, and they're on track to do that. I'm not saying they'll be a completely good team, but...they'll get there. Especially if these pitchers stay on target.
Coming Tomorrow- Meanwhile, on the other side of Chicago, one of the best pure hitters in the game produces a season I can finally enjoy now that he's finally out of Houston.
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