Rick Hahn: Carlos Rodon Has 'A Real Shot' To Start Season In The Majors
(CBS) Left-hander Carlos Rodon, the top prospect in the White Sox's organization, has "a real shot to start the year in the big leagues," general manager Rick Hahn said.
"This kid has a world of talent," Hahn said on the Spiegel and Mannelly Show on Friday morning. "This kid is farther along from the command of the changeup, to having a three-plus-pitch repertoire and very likely will contribute to us at some point in the not-so-distant future."
Rodon will join the White Sox for spring training in Glendale, Ariz., in about a month. From there three possible paths await for Rodon.
He could be sent down to Double-A Birmingham or Triple-A Charlotte to work as a starter, then get a call-up when he's further proved himself. He could also make the White Sox's 25-man roster and begin by working out of the bullpen, much as staff ace Chris Sale once did.
Or Rodon could make Chicago's big league rotation out of spring training. With four starters set in Sale, Jeff Samardzija, Jose Quintana and John Danks, that seems like a longshot.
But Hahn ruled nothing out, saying it doesn't scare him to potentially have four left-handers in the rotation and that he "won't shy away" from Rodon if he's major league ready.
And to that last point, the baseball is in Rodon's hands.
"Our view of Carlos is that he's going to be a starter in the long term," Hahn said. "Now, how quickly that happens is going to be left up to Carlos and his performance. And the path to the big leagues, to that major league starting rotation is still going to be determined over how he looks, how the fastball command's coming, how his comfort is throwing every fifth day on a pro routine, which frankly he's only done for one month last August."
In other spring training battles to watch, catcher Geovany Soto will be trying to earn a roster spot as well.
"Geo has a shot," Hahn said. "Geo needs to come in, show he's healthy. the last couple years, he's struggled a little bit, unfortunately, with his health. He needs to show what he's capable of now defensively."
Click here to listen to Hahn's full interview. He also talks about the situation at third base with Conor Gillaspie and much more.
