BREAKING: Garrett Crochet Returns

Since the White Sox season has been so disappointing, there has not been much to look forward to. But, as we inch closer to June, there are a few things White Sox fans can get excited about. One is the return of Liam Hendriks, which should not be too far away, and the other is the return of Garrett Crochet, which will happen tonight.

He's BACK

After an almost 13-month absence, Crochet will finally make it back to Chicago. The former top prospect will look to help bring some stability to a mightily struggling pen on the Southside.

In a corresponding move, the Sox optioned Nick Padilla back to the Charlotte Knights, where he will likely stay until another injury happens.

The 23-year-old Southpaw has been a great piece so far for the White Sox. He has a career ERA of 2.54 and strikes out almost 11 batters per nine innings. These are the type of numbers the White Sox have missed out of their bullpen.

Since Aaron Bummer has struggled mightily and Jake Diekman has been DFA'd, the White Sox have been missing a high-leverage lefty to use in many different situations. Crochet will be able to fill that void, plus more.

They are one more piece away from having a completed bullpen, as when Liam Hendriks returns they will have a solid group of guys consisting of Hendriks, Crochet, Gregory Santos, Kendall Graveman, and Keynan Middleton. You might even be able to add Joe Kelly to that list, as he has been lights out his last few outings. If they all perform up to expectations, one of the worst groups in the MLB could turn into one of the best.

Looking Ahead

It remains to be seen what the White Sox plan for Crochet long term is, but I would like to see him stretched out this season and get him in a lot of multi-inning opportunities to convert him into a starter next year.

If they mimic this year similarly for what they did for Michael Kopech, I would be pleased. Crochet was a starter at Tennesee and he should be given the chance to start, as he is one of our most talented pitchers. It would be a crime not to at least give him an opportunity.

With the lack of starting pitching depth in the organization combined with the uncertainty of next year, the White Sox would be smart to put him on the path to starting. The Sox could lose at least two starting pitchers to free agency, Lucas Giolito, and Mike Clevinger. This is not taking into consideration if the White Sox sell at the deadline and ship off Dylan Cease or Lance Lynn.

In a bleak season, it will be nice to see Crochet back on the mound and watch him develop into a star pitcher. If he can regain the velocity he had in 2020, he will quickly become a go-to bullpen arm, and hopefully, he can do it over multiple innings.