RADIO
If Rodon Cracks the Rotation, He Will Make an Impact in 2015
At some point this season, Carlos Rodon will be a member of the Chicago White Sox. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be a part of the Opening Day roster. Furthermore, the jury is still out regarding his immediate status as a starting pitcher. One thing is for certain: the southpaw is sure to make an impact upon arrival.
The White Sox number two prospect features a low-to-mid 90's fastball and a devastating, late-breaking slider. He compiled a 25-10 record at North Carolina State University. In three seasons, Rodon posted a 2.24 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. His 436 strikeouts are an NC State record. He also threw eight complete games and one shutout. Rodon pitched two seasons for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team and produced 42 strikeouts and a 0.75 ERA in 36 innings.
What to Expect in 2015
The White Sox have stated that they will stretch out Rodon as a starter in Spring Training, as the conversion from starter to reliever would be much easier than the opposite. His play will dictate where he ends up, but the most likely scenario would see Rodon beginning the year in AAA Charlotte as a starting pitcher. This would allow for a mid-season transition to the big leagues in case of an injury or poor play from one of the incumbent starters.
The White Sox tentative starting rotation consists of three left-handers and two righties. Chris Sale, Jeff Samardzija, and Jose Quintana spearhead the group, while John Danks and Hector Noesi round out the core. Noesi is the one question mark in the group. The 28-year-old had just four career wins when he joined the Sox in 2014. He finished the season 8-12 with a 4.39 ERA. Not excellent, but mediocre enough to keep his starting spot. If Noesi struggles, Rodon would be the first to receive a phone call.
Another way that Rodon could make his way into the starting rotation would be via trade. John Danks would be the most likely candidate in a deal. Danks is in the second-to-last year of his five-year, sixty-five million dollar contact. It will be difficult to trade a starter that hasn't had a winning season since 2010, but a strong start could provide a boost to his value.
In Summary
Many baseball experts have been comparing Rodon's ascension to former White Sox first-round pick and staff ace Chris Sale. Sale first joined the Sox late in the 2010 season and became a force out of the bullpen. He picked up 12 saves over his first two seasons and gained some valuable experience in late game situations before making the switch to starting pitcher in his third year. That approach worked well for Sale and the White Sox are likely to use a similar strategy with Rodon.
If Carlos Rodon wins a starting rotation spot out of Spring Training or becomes a starter later in the season he will be worth owning in most fantasy leagues. However, it is more likely that Rodon begins his year in the minors. Fantasy owners should keep a watchful eye on the promising prospect, as he could be a staple in the White Sox starting rotation for many years to come.
