Contending White Sox are ahead of schedule, and starting pitching development is struggling to keep pace
<p>This spring, the White Sox anticipated having nearly a second major league rotation at Triple-A Charlotte, with top pitching prospects Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, Tanner McDougal and David Sandlin all in tow, and all expected to reach Chicago by midseason.</p><p>Fast-forward to mid-August, all four have debuted for a White Sox team that’s surprising everyone–including their front office–with how quickly they’ve gone from rebuilding to competing for a division title. But since a scuffling Schultz was optioned 10 days ago, none are filling slots in the rotation.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
<p>This spring, the White Sox anticipated having nearly a second major league rotation at Triple-A Charlotte, with top pitching prospects Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, Tanner McDougal and David Sandlin all in tow, and all expected to reach Chicago by midseason.</p><p>Fast-forward to mid-August, all four have debuted for a White Sox team that’s surprising everyone–including their front office–with how quickly they’ve gone from rebuilding to competing for a division title. But since a scuffling Schultz was optioned 10 days ago, none are filling slots in the rotation. Indeed, since Davis Martin was placed on the injured list last week for a blister, no one is filling those two slots in the Sox’ five-man rotation, and they’re banking on veteran swingmen Erick Fedde and José Urquidy to handle bulk portions of glorified bullpen games for the remainder of the Crosstown series.</p><p>“We really are day-to-day here with this, just because of the usage we have had over this last series and then just not having really starters,” said manager Will Venable.</p><p>That a surprise contention year is accelerating major league pitching needs is a good problem for the White Sox. That none of their ballyhooed prospect arms have stepped forward to seize a rotation spot, with both opening day starter Shane Smith and former mainstay Jonathan Cannon lingering in Triple-A, is cause to look inward.</p><p>“We're not where I want us to be,” said Brian Bannister, White Sox senior advisor to pitching.
Read the full report at Chicago Sun-Times ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- <p>This spring, the White Sox anticipated having nearly a second major league rotation at Triple-A Charlotte, with top pitching prospects Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith, Tanner McDougal and David Sandlin all in tow, and all expected to reach Chicago by midseason.</p><p>Fast-forward to mid-August, all four have debuted for a White Sox team that’s surprising everyone–including their front office–with how quickly they’ve gone from rebuilding to competing for a division title. But since a scuffling Schultz was optioned 10 days ago, none are filling slots in the rotation.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- just now ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Contending White Sox are ahead of schedule, and starting pitching development is struggling to keep pace
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times