Door is open for star White Sox relievers to become starters, but there’s a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago White Sox see starting potential in Grant Taylor and Hagen Smith, but their 2027 roles remain undecided.
General manager Chris Getz addressed the two relievers during Wednesday’s end-of-season media session, acknowledging their long-term potential without establishing a timetable. The White Sox relied heavily on openers and bullpen games throughout their playoff run, while the club’s starters logged the fewest innings in MLB this season.
The Chicago Sun-Times’ James Fegan shared the assessment from the GM on X, formerly Twitter. The comments followed an 84-78 campaign that carried the White Sox past the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series before a five-game ALDS series loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
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“I think they’re both going to be starting pitchers at some point in their careers,” Getz said of Taylor and Smith, adding, “But we haven’t made a decision yet” regarding the 2027 season.
Taylor, 24, registered a 2.25 ERA, 106 strikeouts and 10 saves in 84 regular-season innings. He also recorded a four-inning save vs. the Guardians in Game 1 of the ALDS, striking out six without issuing a walk. His multi-inning outings demonstrated the versatility Chicago must weigh against a permanent rotation assignment.
Smith, meanwhile, posted a 1.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 28 innings after debuting in August. The 2024 fifth-overall pick began the season starting at Triple-A Charlotte before switching to relief in July, then handled postseason opener assignments.
Beyond their development, Getz intends to pursue outside starting pitching. Fegan reported that right-hander Luis Castillo is recovering from right shoulder impingement, while Davis Martin battled right calf discomfort. Chicago also views Sean Burke, Noah Schultz and David Sandlin as potential contributors to next year’s rotation.
The White Sox reached 84 wins after three consecutive 100-loss seasons, raising expectations for their next step. Still, Getz said he has not discussed the 2027 payroll with team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, an unresolved factor in potential acquisitions.
Adding rotation depth would ease the bullpen’s workload, but the White Sox have yet to commit Taylor or Smith to starting roles in 2027.
Related: 3 White Sox most to blame for brutal ALDS collapse vs. Guardians