Starter Michael Kopech had simply wrapped up a bullpen session at Camelback Ranch.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal informed him in a video posted on the Chicago White Sox Twitter web page, “What I saw was a more complete pitcher. Not just a one-trick pony. From last year to this year, there’s been a ton of growth.”
Kopech, 26, is engaged on utilizing that progress to assist the Sox in 2023.
“I feel like I’m building on a lot of the last two years,” the right-hander mentioned Friday. “(I) realized quite a bit from my stint final yr as a starter (after spending most of 2021 as a reliever), realized the right way to pitch a bit bit extra, realized the right way to be a bit bit extra of a whole pitcher.
“The goal is just for me to go out there and be able to use everything I have and not have to rely on one thing or put something in my back pocket. Just be able to use the weapons I have to compete with that day. Kind of built off of that. Hopefully continue to keep building.”
Kopech threw his first dwell bullpen of the spring Thursday and described it as “decent.”
“There were some things I can improve on,” Kopech mentioned. “The first one, although, I’m pleased with it. (The) changeup has been one thing I’ve labored on all offseason and felt snug throwing it. Commanding my fastball for probably the most half, pulled off a pair, missed a few spots.
“But (I’m) kind of getting in the swing of being full go. I think that’s fairly normal. The rust will get knocked off the more I compete against hitters. In general, I felt really good, really confident.”
Part of the dialog within the video centered on Kopech’s changeup.
“He’s just worked really hard on it,” Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz mentioned Friday. “It was one thing final yr that was actually good in bullpens after which come recreation time, even together with his strengths, he’d sprinkled it in right here and there.
“But the time he spent this offseason has really showed up in his bullpens with his command of it and how he’s throwing it. He threw it (Thursday) in live BP and got a swing and miss right-on-right, so he’s feeling pretty good about it. But all of his stuff has been very sharp.”
Kopech mentioned of the pitch: “I do suppose it’s vital for me. I don’t suppose it’s a very powerful. I’ve been in a position to pitch and compete properly with two breaking balls and a fastball. So I used to be by no means only a two-pitch man. I’ve at all times been a three-pitch man however having a four-pitch combine may make the sport a bit bit simpler for me, which is at all times the purpose.
“It’s just me getting comfortable with it to have timing. My timing has been hit or miss with it in the past and kind of getting it out front and letting it work on its own has been a big difference maker for it.”
Kopech is aiming for extra innings after going 5-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 25 begins (119⅓ innings) in 2022. He underwent surgical procedure in late September to handle what the group known as an “issue with (his right) meniscus.”
Kopech, 26, mentioned the following step is one other dwell bullpen or two.
“I’m right where I need to be,” he mentioned.
Katz mentioned the Sox have introduced Kopech alongside this spring “just to make sure that we are not pushing him too hard. Surgery was a little bit more than we originally thought, and just kind of making sure that with that he’s fully healthy come (the) season.”
Kopech mentioned he feels “pretty good in general.”
“I’m still getting back to getting my legs under me, getting quote-unquote fast again and moving efficiently,” he mentioned. “But I really feel fairly good usually. I really feel as very like myself as I may at this level. I spent a good period of time on crutches this offseason, and getting used to transferring rapidly once more continues to be pretty early. So by the point the season comes round, I feel full go will likely be 110%.
“I’m still building to that but I feel pretty good.”
Elvis Andrus homers in victory in opposition to the Rangers
Andrus hit a solo house run within the first inning in opposition to one among his former groups because the Sox beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 in a Cactus League recreation Saturday at Camelback Ranch. The successful run scored on a Bryan Ramos infield hit within the ninth.
Oscar Colás, competing for a roster spot, continued his robust spring with a single in three at-bats. The outfielder has a .438 common in eight video games.
The Sox stole six bases in seven makes an attempt.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com