Despite a season without traditional Minor League baseball, the Chicago White Sox are confident enough to add former Tennessee Volunteer Garrett Crochet to their big league roster.
Chicago (33-18), who leads the American League Central by three games, is bringing the southpaw up to replace Evan Marshall. The Sox’ right-handed reliever was placed on the 10-day IL due to a shoulder injury.
On Friday, Crochet became the first Major League call up from the 2020 MLB Draft. He was selected 11th overall. The left-hander from Ocean Springs, Miss. led the Vols to 10 wins during his college tenure. He tallied 149 strikeouts in just 109.1 innings.
The lefty is known for an elite fastball and dangerous slider. According to an early 2020 poll conducted by Baseball America and aimed at MLB scouts, Crochet was tabbed as having the best fastball in the draft. The left-hander modeled his breaking ball after former White Sox pitcher Chris Sale. Crochet’s attributes should fit just right on the Southside for now and years to come.
Crochet is the second-highest draft pick ever to come out of Rocky Top. Tennessee’s highest selection is Nick Senzel, taken second overall by the Cincinnati Reds in 2016.
Chicago lost to Cincinnati, 7-1 Friday night. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t optimism for the White Sox. Crochet made a remarkable debut by dominating the sixth inning. He got three outs on 13 pitches. The lefty hit as high as 101.5 MPH with his fastball. Crochet recorded two strikeouts and a groundout in his only inning of service.
