Hahn: Rodon Promotion No Sure Thing
By Bruce Levine--
(CBS) -- White Sox general manager Rick Hahn cautioned media members Tuesday about reports of top draft pick Carlos Rodon's likely ascension to the big leagues in September. Hahn witnessed the left-handed starter's outing Sunday for Triple-A Charlotte and was impressed, but he's dead set on a promotion yet.
"He threw the ball real well," Hahn aid. "He actually got better as the game went on. It was a good developmental outing for him, I think. He has scuffled a little bit early with his fastball command. He made an adjustment between the second and third inning. He was really locked into it his last couple innings of work. He is a talented, talented young man."
The White Sox have been aggressive in moving Rodon forward while still insisting they could shut him down at any time. Rodon will start his last Triple-A game of this season Saturday, when he's scheduled to throw five innings. After that, the front office has three primary options.
The White Sox could bring the Rodon to Chicago and let him pitch, most likely out of the bullpen. A second option would be to bring him to Chicago and let him work on the side with pitching guru Don Cooper. Finally, they could choose to shut him down for 2014. (A fourth option is to send him to the Arizona instructional league.)
Hahn had conversations with Rodon while attending his outing this weekend.
"He is extremely will grounded," Hahn said. "He knows his next start is in (the minors), and he isn't looking past that conversation we have after that. He is not looking past what is ahead of him. It is important to realize that this kid has thrown about 22 innings as a professional. He has already made three stops with our affiliates in about a month. Although he had success it has come rather quickly, which makes it even more impressive."
The idea of getting Rodon up to Chicago for some type of major league conditioning is tempting to Hahn.
"There may be something to getting a relationship started with (Cooper and manager Robin Ventura) and the staff, which will happen naturally next spring," Hahn said. "It is something to be considered."
Hahn went on to say that all the makeup reports about Rodon have checked out to perfection.
"He wants to learn, he knows how good he can be," Hahn said. "He wants to do everything in his power to get there."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
