‘Something special’
Kopech’s transition from starter to reliever has been a bright spot for Sox
Michael Kopech entered with no outs and nobody on base during his first two relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox.
Sunday’s outing against the Kansas City Royals presented a different test, but the right-hander’s plan remained the same.
The Royals had runners on first and second with two outs in the fifth inning Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field when the Sox called on Kopech.
“It’s just like most situations, just doing what you can control,” Kopech said. “If there’s runners on, your job is still primarily to get that out at the plate.”
His mindset in the situation: “I’m on attack.”
“I’ve talked to a few guys about that,” Kopech said. “I talked to Lance (Lynn) a little bit after his (shutout Thursday against the Royals). The ability to go out and attack every pitch, it puts you in control.”
Kopech got Andrew Benintendi to ground out to second to end the inning. He retired all seven batters he faced Sunday, striking out three.
“Right now, I have no problem bringing him in any part of the game, in any situation,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Monday.
Kopech has been a bright spot in the bullpen as he makes the temporary move from starter to reliever. He had allowed one hit in three scoreless appearances with 11 strikeouts and two walks in 6⅓ inningsthrough Monday.
“He’s been mixing his pitches well and getting ahead of guys and putting guys away well, so the stuff is there,” Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz said before Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Indians at Guaranteed Rate Field. “I’ve been really impressed with everything he’s been doing, and hopefully this continues on.”
Kopech, 24, has impressed closer Liam Hendriks on and off the field.
“Off the field, he’s a good kid, he’s got a good head on his shoulders and I’m excited to be out there with him,” Hendriks said Monday. “On-the-field stuff, you’ve seen it. I was listening to the hype and I was like, ‘OK, the hype is there, but let’s see if it actually translates to the game.’ That guy is something special.
“His ball does a bunch of different things that a bunch of guys throwing 97 to 100 (mph), they don’t have that. The fact that he’s able to do that while remaining composed, he’s a special talent, that’s for sure.”
After spending 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery and opting out of the 2020 season for personal reasons, Kopech is soaking in each matchup.
His Sunday ended with a smile after he struck out Michael A. Taylor for the final out of the seventh.
“Me and Taylor were having a pretty competitive at-bat,” Kopech said. “He called time on me and it frustrated me for a little bit. Then I started attacking him. He took some pretty good pitches. I tripled up on a slider and I really didn’t throw that (final) pitch where I wanted to throw it, but he was geared up and he was ready to swing.
“I was just smiling because I was glad I got the swing and miss because I didn’t want that pitch to be there. I could see as soon as he swung through it, he was frustrated he missed it. I was kind of laughing at him and with him at the same time. It was a competitive at-bat I was having fun with.”
Sunday’s 2⅓ innings marked his longest outing of the season.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to get a huge amount of rest out of the bullpen,” Kopech said, noting Friday’s day off and Saturday’s postponement. “I’m going to continue getting used to it as the season goes on and getting used to using my arm a lot more on a little bit shorter rest.
“But if they needed me to go three (innings), I would go three. If he needed me to go 10, I would go 10. It’s just the mindset we have as pitchers.”
Katz said the strategy is to have Kopech available for two or three innings, then give him rest so he’s ready to do it again depending on his pitch count.
“But the plan is not to overdo it with him so we have him much stronger at the end of the season,” Katz said.
Kopech is embracing the role.
“I just enjoy pitching, so I would like to be able to compete in any position I can on the field,” Kopech said. “If that’s as a reliever or as a starter, then what have you. But I’ve enjoyed coming out of the bullpen as of right now.”