We've known Michael Kopech can get called up any day now, and with the back end of the Super Two window approaching, it may only take one more start to get there.
Kopech did his part on Monday by throwing six strong innings in Charlotte's 7-5 victory over Indianapolis. He allowed just two runs and five baserunners (three hits, two walks) while striking out seven.
Kopech said his fastball command wavered a little bit from the stretch, but otherwise was able to go to town with it, estimating his usage at 80 percent. One new variable was new catcher Dustin Garneau, whom the White Sox acquired from Oakland to address their high-minors shortage. Garneau didn't call many changeups, and Kopech said he only shook him off once, so he was basically a fastball-slider guy all game.
Our man in Charlotte Jonathan Lee asked him if he's ready, and Kopech said, "Physically, yes. Mentally, yes."
Garneau offered an observation about Kopech's fastball I hadn't heard, saying his fastball gets low strikes others can't because gravity doesn't have the same effect on it when it gets to the plate.
Charlotte 7, Indianapolis 5
- Casey Gillaspie is stirring: 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout, giving him an .808 OPS in May. It's something.
- Michael Kopech: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 57 of 97 pitches for strikes.
- Thyago Vieira: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Winston-Salem 10, Potomac 1
- Luis Alexander Basabe was ejected after a first-inning strikeout, along with Omar Vizquel.
- Alex Call replaced him and went 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout.
- Blake Rutherford, 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Micker Adolfo, 1-for-5 with two strikeouts. He was caught stealing.
- Ti'Quan Forbes was 1-for-4 with his second homer of the season.
- Yeyson Yrizarri, 1-for-4 with a K.
More:
*Luis Robert made his first appearance in extended spring training as he builds toward a debut with the Dash.
https://twitter.com/billazbbphotog/status/1001175747707334656
Kannapolis 2, West Virginia 1 (5½ innings, rain)
- Luis Gonzalez reached the three true outcomes in three plate appearances. He was also caught stealing.
- Justin Yurchak went 0-for-3 with a K.
- Evan Skoug, 0-for-2 with a strikeout.
- Luis Curbelo went 1-for-2, but committed two errors.
- John Parke gets the complete game: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
