Jonathan India hit Michael Kopech’s second pitch of Thursday night’s game over the right-field wall at Goodyear Ballpark for a home run.
It wasn’t exactly the start any pitcher envisions.
“The second pitch I’ve thrown this spring, and I didn’t throw it with much conviction,” the Chicago White Sox starter said. “Big-league hitters, it’s going to happen if you don’t throw a pitch with conviction.
“Welcomed me back real quick.”
Kopech quickly turned it around. That was the only hit he allowed in two innings against the Cincinnati Reds in his first Cactus League appearance of the spring. Kopech struck out two and hit one batter.
“After that (home run), I felt that I settled in and started throwing stuff with a little more intensity behind it and I felt pretty good after that,” Kopech said.
Kopech is making the move back into the rotation after working mostly as a reliever last season. His offseason work was disrupted after a positive COVID-19 result in February.
He said being back on the mound for a Cactus League game felt “good.”
“It’s obviously been a slow build for me this spring,” Kopech said. “But getting back out there and competing again, it felt good. That’s really all I can ask for.”
Following the home run, Kopech retired the next three batters. Mike Moustakas to flied out to right thanks to a nice jumping catch at the wall from Adam Engel. Kopech struck out Tommy Pham and got Joey Votto to pop out to third baseman Yoán Moncada in foul territory.
Kopech received more stellar defensive help to begin the second when first baseman Gavin Sheets dove to corral Tyler Stephenson’s grounder. Kopech hit Jake Fraley with a pitch and then got Kyle Farmer to pop out to Moncada. Kopech’s outing ended after he struck out Brandon Drury looking for the third out of the inning.
“I think there’s a little bit of work to be done,” Kopech said. “I don’t think that’s me midseason form or anything like that, but I wouldn’t expect that right now. I made some progress (Thursday) and I hope to continue making progress. That’s all I can ask for.”
Kopech is in line to start Tuesday’s Cactus League finale against the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz.
“I still have another one here in the spring and hopefully I can continue making strides and by the time I hit the season, things are ironed out and I’m ready to go,” he said. “I expect a lot from myself and I wouldn’t expect anything different from the fans.”
Kopech is getting inspiration from other members of the staff.
“With Vince (Velasquez) throwing, too, it’s been motivating to see a guy like that come into a brand-new team and throw with the kind of stuff he’s been throwing with,” Kopech said.
“But also the starters that we have are obviously elite, and just being around those guys and seeing how they go about their business, it’s motivating for me. I’m not going to take this lightly.”
