The future is now for the White Sox pitching staff.
Just one day after Carlos Rodon put forth another strong outing and Carson Fulmer made his first MLB start, the Sox No. 6 prospect, Lucas Giolito, took the hill for the first time on the South Side. That's without even mentioning 23-year-old Reynaldo Lopez, who's currently on the disabled list, getting the call to the majors a few weeks ago.
With an influx of young arms, what will the rotation look like one year from today? White Sox insider Dan Hayes joined CSN's "In the Loop" to give his predictions:
Ace: Carlos Rodon
Hayes' take: He's made the mental gains he's needed to and is beginning to trust his dominant stuff.
No. 2: Reynaldo Lopez
Hayes' take: He has electric stuff and will be in the MLB all year.
MLB
No. 3: Lucas Giolito
Hayes' take: He's simplified things in the minors and has started to find his way after a rough start at Triple-A Charlotte.
No. 4: James Shields
No. 5: Free agent to be named later
Hayes' take: It's a placeholder. The Sox may do something similar to this year and sign someone like Chris Tillman to try and trade later.
What about flamethrower Michael Kopech, you ask?
"It would not surprise me at all if Kopech was up next year, towards the end of the season, if he can do what he did this year at Double-A," Hayes said.