White Sox Eager To See Reynaldo Lopez’s Ceiling

CHICAGO—The White Sox like all three young pitchers they got back from the Nationals in their trade of outfielder Adam Eaton.

Lucas Giolito is the biggest name coming from Washington, and Dane Dunning is viewed as a potential top-end starter down the road.

But when enough time passes, Reynaldo Lopez might be the best piece of the deal. Giolito and Lopez were the Nats’ top two pitching propects, and both righthanders made it to the major leagues last season.

With Chicago in rebuilding mode, Lopez and Giolito are both likely to open the upcoming season in the minors.

“There is still a fair amount of development with each of them, general manager Rick Hahn said. “Both Lucas and Lopez made it to the big leagues last year and conceivably will contribute to the 2017 White Sox. However, we are going to wait to the point where we feel they are ready to contribute and perform well at the big league level over an extended period of time.”

Lopez breezed through the minor-league portion of his 2016 season, going a combined 5-7, 3.21 in 19 starts with Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. The 6-foot, 185-pounder also had 126 strikeouts in 109.1 innings and limited opposing hitters to a .220 average.

Joining Washington on July 19, Lopez was 5-3, 4.91 in 11 games. The 23-year-old Dominican is known for a fastball that has hit 100 mph and it was on prominent display last year.

Lopez certainly has the fastball to be a starter for the White Sox, and his curveball is good enough to keep opposing hitters off the heat.

But Lopez’s changeup still needs work, as does his command. In 44 innings with Washington, the rookie had 22 walks to go with 42 strikeouts.

Is Lopez a future starting pitcher for Chicago? A reliever, possibly a closer?

The Sox have plenty of time to decide, and there is also plenty of time to let Lopez sort out his future at Triple-A Charlotte if the club feels more development is best for his future.

CHI-LITES

• After signing free-agent starter Derek Holland to a one-year contract, Chicago outrighted Matt Purke to Charlotte. The lefthander was 0-1, 5.50 in 12 relief appearances for the Sox last season.

• Righthanded starter Chris Volstad agreed to another minor league contract with the White Sox after spending the entire 2016 season at Charlotte.

— Scot Gregor covers the White Sox for the Daily Herald