Nastrini isn’t wasting time this spring

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Right-hander Nick Nastrini usually comes to camp looking to find the feel for his pitches, to land his breaking ball in the strike zone and to operate effectively with two strikes.

“But this offseason, I put a major emphasis on coming into spring training already having those skills dialed in, sharpened,” he said.

So consider Nastrini ahead of schedule. Acquired in the deal for veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly at the trade deadline last season, the former Dodgers prospect made his first start for the White Sox on Monday, going two innings against the Rangers. He allowed a run on a triple and a ground out, struck out one and walked none.

The Sox view Nastrini, their No. 6-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, as a potential mid-rotation starter. That may not happen this year, but the rotation is full of starters with spotty pasts, so opportunity abounds — if not to start this season, then perhaps by midseason or 2025.

Nastrini was upbeat after Monday's outing. He threw 29 pitches but said he could have thrown more.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I feel very, very good right now. Very fresh.”

Support where it’s needed

The Sox will have a mental performance coach, Cristian Guzman, in uniform and traveling with the team this season.

Geoff Head, the Sox' director of sports performance, said the team also has a fulltime dietician for the first time. Upgrades in these areas were considered past due.

“We had a mental skills department [in Kansas City],” manager Pedro Grifol said. “You know what? This is a very tough game, and there is a lot of interference in this game, and you need resources and tools in your toolbox to navigate 162 [games]. Whatever it takes. It's our responsibility to provide these guys resources and tools that can help navigate whatever interference they've got going on.”

Guzman previously held mental health and performance positions with the Mariners and Mets. The support staff also includes Jeffrey Fishbein, now in his 13th season as the Sox' team psychologist.