Here's An Answer To The Miguel Gonzalez Problem

The White Sox have plenty of issues. The bullpen has been inconsistent. The offense is not producing. On the rare occasion that we have a runner in scoring position (RISP), our run producers roll over and have the opposition pet their belly before trotting back to the dugout.

Not great Chuck! Other than our hibernating offense, the backend of our rotation has had its fair share of struggles. Miguel Gonzalez and Carson Fulmer, in particular, have labored. In a year where the South Siders are not expected to compete, Fulmer, 24,  will have every opportunity to start. Miguel Gonzalez, 33, does not have the youth or the upside of Fulmer. Struggling would be an understatement when describing Gonzalez' 2018 performance. He has served up 17 earned runs (ER) in just 12.1 innings pitched (IP) resulting in a cool 12.41 ERA.

According to FanGraphs, Gonzalez' average fastball velocity is at 89.8 mph, a pitch he throws 50% of the time. So not only is his velocity down from 2017, where he averaged close to 91.5 mph, the late movement has disappeared. Gonzalez has never been a flamethrower. What has made him effective was the late movement on his fastball coupled with his ability to throw four different breaking balls. An 89 mph fastball coming in straight as an arrow may as well be a beachball to big league hitters. Hold steady my friends, there may be a solution closer than you think. Hector Santiago did not win the 5th starter's job out of spring training. Fulmer won the job despite Santiago outpitching him. Hector has looked good out of the pen, giving up four ER in just over nine IP while striking out eight. Most of his appearances have been in long relief of the aforementioned Gonzalez and Fulmer. Santiago has spent a majority of his career as a starter and has a track record of success. He was an All-Star in 2015 while with the Angels. It's time to give him a shot Ricky.  I'm not saying that Santiago is a long-term answer to our pitching woes because he isn't. Let us not forget that help is on the way. Both Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech could be dealing on the southside before the All-Star Break. These two will give a huge jolt to the rotation. Rodon has shown that he has true ace potential when healthy and is still just 25 years old. Kopech has had White Sox fans drooling since the Chris Sale trade in 2016.  Paul Sullivan, of the Chicago Tribune, writes here on when he envisions the flamethrower in the Majors. There has been some speculation about when Kopech will get the call. As long as he continues to dominate AAA, I don't see a scenario where he isn't suiting up for the Pale Hose come late May/early June. Things are tough now but there are brighter days ahead Sox fans.