Levine: Hector Noesi Solid In Spring Debut

By Bruce Levine-

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- Hector Noesi wasn't a household name when the White Sox acquired him last April from the Texas Rangers. A journeyman right-hander, Noesi arrived without fanfare and much hope of filling a hole with lefty Chris Sale down for five weeks.

The reclamation project was right up the alley of pitching coach Don Cooper, who's known for helping throwers with good arms become pitchers. Cooper helped the 28-year-old Noesi improve, as he had five quality starts in his last six outings of 2014. Noesi had 15 quality starts in 27 tries in 2014, when he registered a 4.75 ERA.

"I give him a lot of the credit," Noesi said of Cooper. "He is always there with me working on something new. That is his way with everybody, not just me. Everybody works hard for him."

Noesi had a solid outing in his first Cactus League start Saturday, as he retired six straight hitters in his two innings against Seattle.

"It went pretty good today," Noesi said. "My hand was a little dry, and I couldn't hold the ball like I usually do, but it went all right."

Finishing with a strong last two months of the 2014 season secured a rotation spot for Noesi this spring.

"I never feel secure with a job," he said. "I need to keep working and feel like I am competing. I just keep trying to get better. I want to be mentally tough. Sometimes when you feel too comfortable, things change."

Noesi will probably be slotted in the fourth rotation slot behind Jose Quintana, when once Chris Sale is back as the No. 1. Cooper has Noesi pitching inside on both left- and right-handed hitters as a part of his spring training assignments.

"On 0-2 counts Coop wants me to keep my pitches down on the plate," he said. "Also, as I said, learn to keep the ball inside."

What Cooper is really teaching is having confidence throwing strikes on both sides of the plate. Two strong sides for any pitcher can mean a lower ERA and more innings on the mound. More sinkers and fewer walks will be a key for Noesi.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.