Congrats Garrett Crochet.
In the year of 2024, running a semi-professional (but very popular) White Sox blog and podcast, I always get asked the same question. “Why are YOU still watching the 2024 White Sox play baseball?” I usually stick with the basic response – “I love being outside with friends during the summer.” It’s a stock answer, but it’s very true. But every so often you get a little treat from our National Pastime. Watching journeyman Paul DeJong hit 16 HR’s (so far) in the first half of the season is fun. Watching Luis Robert Jr. crush balls is fun. Erick Fedde shoving is fun too. But the biggest reason I love baseball might be because of stories like Garrett Crochet.
Garrett was drafted by the White Sox in the 1st round of the 2020 MLB June Amateur Draft from the University of Tennessee. He was promptly brought up to the bigs as pitching in 2020 was sparse and we needed the arms. Especially with the front office refusing to sign any pitching help for Ricky’s Boys. He recorded 2 strikeouts in the 2020 ALWC series vs Oakland, but then he felt some tightness in his left forearm. That started the string of bad luck that Garrett faced.
In 2021 Garrett was on the IL / IR 3 times. He spent his first full season in the White Sox bullpen, appearing in 54 games. He averaged 12.0 strikeouts per 9.0 IP (65 SO/54.1 IP), recording multiple strikeouts in 21 of the appearances. With a roster full of starting pitchers in 2021, the Sox didn’t need Garrett to fill a starting slot. He was given the chance to adjust to the majors. 2021 wasn’t a bad year for Garrett minus the injuries, the future looked bright for 2022.
But then…
LHP Garrett Crochet (UCL damage)
— Scott Merkin
Projected return: Out for the season
Crochet was set to move into the Michael Kopech starter/reliever hybrid role in 2022, but is headed for Tommy John surgery as the left-hander confirmed Saturday. Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery early this coming week.
But at least we have 2023 right? RIGHT?!?!
Crochet returned on May 18 in 2023, but lasted only 10 appearances, posting a 3.60 ERA, before shoulder inflammation sidelined him again. He would make 3 appearances at the end of 2023, bringing his total to 12.2 IP with a 3.69 ERA, but he posted 12 SO’s! Not awful, but not a preview for what was to come.
When the White Sox cleaned house in 2023, starting pitching was the first to go. Then in 2024 Spring Training the one true starter that we had, Dylan Cease, was traded to the San Diego Padres. Many fans were asking themselves “Who da faq is gonna be our Opening Day starter?” The Sox answered with this tweet –
Which was met with concerns by most White Sox fans…
If you have the time, I highly recommend reading the replies from this announcement. I don’t fault anyone for their skepticism, most Opening Day starters don’t usually pitch 12.2 innings the previous 2 seasons. And this is exactly why you have to be romantic about baseball.
On Opening Day we were all pretty amazed when Garrett pitched a great game. 6 innings, 8 strikeouts. Pretty damn good. He took the L that day, but that’s more on the offense as he only gave up 1 run. He didn’t stop there either. So far in 2024, he’s pitched 105 innings, has an ERA of 3.05, a W/L record of 6 & 6, 146 SO’s with only 23 BB.
At the start of Spring Training ’24, I don’t think many had high expectations for Garrett. Coming back from an injury like that is a long process and we all thought there would be an innings limit (still might be). Maybe he’d be slotted in for long relief, maybe he’d work into a starting role by the end of the season (unless he got shut down or injured again). This performance in 2024 wasn’t expected and if you really love the game of baseball, White Sox baseball in 2024 specifically, this is the story that keeps you tuning in.
Watching a guy who’s been to hell and back (professionally), succeed like this, is the fucking cat’s pajamas. Then to be recognized by your peers as one of the best, has to be amazingly fulfilling after all the setbacks. This is what brings me back to 35th & Shields multiple times a week. While there are things that are certainly frustrating, seeing a guy who was doubted by almost everyone succeed in this fashion is awesome. It’s the classic quote(s) that we love to say “hard work pays off” or “tough times don’t last, tough people do”. These are the stories I live for.
So enjoy this White Sox fans! The sunshine will be spotty for the second half of the year, especially if we trade away all the bright spots. A huge congrats to Garrett too for not giving up on himself. Going out to that mound each time he is asked and just SHOVING. It’s been a joy to see buddy, keep it up. You’ve earned this Garrett, enjoy it.
Garrett’s first half, Fedde shoving, plus the promising starts of Drew Thorpe & Jonathan Cannon is making me think, or at least second-guess, our pitching development. Maybe Getz did get the right guy in Brian Bannister. Maybe he can progress the development of our young arms as promised. Only time will tell, but the early returns seem promising.
-MSS
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mysoxsummer
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