by Rickhouse on February 18 at 4:02AM
But, obviously, if the third starter in the rotation is a team’s biggest question mark, the final two spots must be questionable as well. John Danks, 22, returns after an uneven rookie season that saw him hit a wall in the second half. His development becomes even more crucial with Jon Garland shipped to Anaheim, but the Sox will need him to step as the fourth starter this season to compete in the loaded AL Central.
The fifth starter is far more uncertain, and is likely the biggest problem facing Ozzie and Kenny after situation at third base. Gavin Floyd is considered the top candidate for the job, but the White Sox have seen several young pitchers make names for themselves in recent years in Arizona. Here’s a look some of the White Sox top candidates to grab the fifth starter spot.
Gavin Floyd
Floyd enters spring training with the final spot in the rotation his to lose. While he struggled when he was initially called up, Floyd seemed to find his rhythm in September. He may be better served as a reliever because he doesn’t throw a lot of different pitches, but Floyd was a top five draft pick as a starter, and this may be his final chance.
Lance Broadway
If only this competition could be settled by having the coolest name, Broadway would be the run away winner. Since it isn’t, Broadway will have to rely on doing it the old fashion way, pitching well. He did just that when he got his first ever major league start late in September, going six innings, allowing no earned runs, striking out eight and walking no one against the Royals. The former first round draft pick won’t overpower anyone but he has as good a chance as any to grab the fifth starter slot.
Jack Egbert
No current Sox pitching prospect has seen a rise like Egbert, making him a cult hero of Wii Tennis playing Mudvayne fans everywhere. The 24-year old lefty has only given up 12 home runs in 529 innings around the minor leagues the last few years and struck out nearly four times as many batters as he walked last season in AAA Charlotte. If he has a strong spring, Egbert could be a dark horse.
Charlie Haeger
Once one of the darlings of the system, Haeger’s stock seems to have dropped in the eyes of management. It shouldn’t be too alarming because pure knuckleball pitchers generally take longer to develop. Haeger is a little different from most young knuckerballers, however, because of his low walk rates. Even after finishing 5-16 in AAA last season, Haeger’s strikeout-to-walk ratio was still encouraging. He’s a long shot to grab the fifth starter spot out of camp, but Haeger can’t be counted out long term.
Nick Masset
Coming with Danks for Brandon McCarthy prior to last season, Masset struggled with his command his first season in Chicago, walking more batters then he struck out and finishing with an ERA over seven. But early spring training reports have been positive, as Masset has dropped 25 pounds in an attempt to go after the fifth spot in the rotation. The Sox primarily consider Masset a reliever, but his versatility could give him an edge to make the opening day roster in some capacity.
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