Levine: Carlos Rodon Solid In Cactus League Debut

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- If you believe in sample size results from early spring training, then you will like what the White Sox have done in the first four games. The team has hit seven home runs, including back-to-back blasts from Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier on Sunday.

The day, however, belonged to 23-year-old starting left-hander Carlos Rodon, who three innings, allowing one hit and no runs in his Cactus League debut as the White Sox topped the Padres, 8-1. The third overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft, Rodon looked crisp and ready to pick up where he left off last season, when he posted a 2.03 ERA in September.

"I am a little more relaxed," Rodon said. "I really feel like I know what I am doing out there. I am working on my fastball command and my change-up."

Rodon finished 2015 with a flurry of solid starts. His walk total dropped drastically as the season progressed. He lowered his opponents' batting average against from .267 in the first half down to .237 in the last half of 2015.

"I feel good about that," he said. "I left a couple of fastballs up today. It is still early and time to get the work in. The goal this year is to get that (two seamer) down and produce some ground balls."

Rodon's projected as the No. 3 starter in the rotation, though he and No. 2 starter and fellow lefty Jose Quintana may be broken up by a right-hander like Erik Johnson or Jacob Turner. The White Sox have said they won't limit innings for Rodon this season or hold him to a specific number of starts, though they're open to skipping him a few times to keep him fresh.

"I went 23 starts last year," he said. "They were spread out nicely. This year will be a little different. It will be a little learning curve as well. Whatever works and what they feel will make me stronger is OK. Our goal is to be strong and for me to be ready to pitch in the playoffs."

Rodon was 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA in 2015. He struck out 139 batters in 139 1/3 innings.

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